Belt Colors

Obi [帯] Iro [色]

Who chose the colors isn’t documented and why they chose a particular color to symbolize a kyu grade is missing as well.

In my attempts to understand I have come to believe that everything created by Asians tends to have a symbolic meaning but so far it isn’t out there in the ether of life.

Example, “In China and Japan, colors have extremely significant meanings. In China, the five colors of black, red, blue, yellow, and white correspond to the five sacred elements of Taoism: water, fire, wood, earth, and metal, respectively.”

In most karate dojo, the following colored belts for the kyu grades/levels are used (the comments after each color are symbolic of the Asian cultures, i.e., Chinese and Japanese):

• WHITE: is the color of snow, which can mean starting on a blank page, returning to the roots, and treating someone coldly. This peaceful color stands for purity and truth but can also denote death and mourning; Color of Death; a color of purity and represents truth, humility, and mourning.

• YELLOW: symbolizes sunshine and nature in Japan.

• ORANGE: denotes civilization and knowledge.

• GREEN: represents youth, eternity, vitality, and energy; Healing and Health.

• BLUE: one of Japan’s most important lucky colors, with the others in the category being yellow, white, purple, green, and red; symbolizes coolness, passivity, and fidelity; represents the sea, the sky, and the ideals of calmness, stability, and security.

• PURPLE: considered the color of warriors, symbolizing strength; can also represent wisdom and spirituality.

• BROWN: symbolizes the earth, strength, and durability.

• BLACK: mainly denotes non-being, mystery, night, and anger; Color of Authority; associated with formality as well as mourning. 

• RED/WHITE: represent happiness and joy; prominent traditional colors in Japan. Both colors are used in decorations at events that represent happiness and joy. People also wear these colors at important ceremonies such as weddings, birthdays, and other life events.

• RED: of Good Fortune, Happiness, and Success; denotes strength, passion, self-sacrifice, and blood. It is the color that “gets the blood flowing”; 

“In China, the five colors of black, red, blue, yellow, and white correspond to the five sacred elements of Taoism: water, fire, wood, earth, and metal, respectively.”

“There are five traditional colors in Chinese culture. Red is considered a lucky color that brings vitality, joy, and happiness. Yellow is the royal color of China, having been worn by many emperors throughout history to represent power, prosperity, and luck.”

“Qing combines blue, green, and black, representing healing, health, and advancement. Black in Chinese culture can be either lucky or unlucky, but it makes up half of the universal balance from its association with evil.”

“White is a color of purity and mourning, balancing the universe from the ideals represented by black.”

“Black is associated with formality as well as mourning. Red is symbolic of the sun and is linked to authority, strength, sacrifice, joy, and happiness. Blue represents the sea, the sky, and the ideals of calmness, stability, and security.”