If you're new to the discipline of Karate, or Tae Kwon Do, or Kung Fu, or if you're a parent of a child who is, perhaps you've taken a trip into the martial arts store, gone to the martial arts uniforms and marvelled at the belts. Maybe you've been confused about what the different belts actually mean. Sure, you know that the black belt is the most coveted. But do you know why? And do you know what it really means--as opposed to what TV and the movies would have you believe it means? Here's a guide that might help you understand it a bit better.

First, a belt serves to recognize the student's achievements in his particular discipline. Contrary to what some feel, it is not used as a comparison to how somebody else performs. It only acknowledges what the individual student has done in comparison to what his potential is. As the teacher sees progress in the student's martial arts journey, he recognizes achievements through a belt. Because of this, a belt's value depends on who gives it, and the effort required for the person to achieve it. There is no absolute value to the belt. One person, who has a black belt, instance, is not necessarily on the same level as another black belt. The belt that's been given reflects the teacher's own experience and what he is trying to teach his students at that particular time.

Ranking via belts only began fairly recently (within the last century). It started in "modern" Judo. It was actually in America, where competition is no important, that it gained real popularity. It seems we in the West have a need to tell others that we're better than they are. And although that's not what the belt was designed to tell, that's how Americans have construed it.

So then, is there a meaning to the various colours and a progressive ranking from one colour to another? Yes and no. Yes, there is a generally-recognized meaning to the belt's colour. But since the belt is not meant to compare one person to another, the belts do not progress from "worst to best." Instead, the symbolism to the belts usually goes something like this: White means modesty, orange means courtesy, and camouflage means self-control. Green means self-discipline, purple indicates perseverance, and blue signifies an indomitable spirit. Brown symbolizes respect and red shows integrity. And the coveted black belt? It symbolizes many things. A Black Belt 1st Degree signifies dedication, 2nd Degree signifies personal sacrifice, and 3rd Degree signifies Accomplishment.

By all means, you should feel honoured to receive any of these belts. Not because they mean you are better than any other student. Rather, they show that your instructor feels that you managed to pull from within your own spirit the resources necessary to master the lessons that he tried to teach you.

If you have any other questions about what a belt means, you should discuss them with your instructor. At the end of the day, only he knows the reasons he had for awarding you that particular belt.