Ranking System The particular progression of colors possesses symbolic significance. The colors symbolize not only the level of one's technical skill but also the degree of one's mental and emotional development. White: Is the color of innocence. It symbolizes one whose mind and spirit are "blank" regarding the martial arts, one who knows little of Tai Jutsu techniques. It is the color of the beginner. Yellow: Is the color of the sun, the color of light. The color of new found riches. The yellow obi or belt indicates that the light of a new day has begun to shine. It is the color of learning. Orange: Is also the color of the sun, but the sun at its zenith. The orange obi indicates that the first flash of the day has matured, one whose skill and understanding are reaching new heights. Purple: Is the color of courage. This obi symbolizes that a student has started to unite mind, body and spirit. Blue: Is the color of the sky and ocean. The blue obi symbolizes that the students aspirations have begun to expand to new horizons. Green: Is the color of growth, the color of grass and of the forests. The green obi symbolizes that the student has begun to absorb the light. Skills and spirit have started to blossom and bear fruit. Brown: Is the color of the earth, the color of solidity. The brown obi indicates one's techniques have become competent, the mind is fertile and the spirit is formed. Black: Is the fusion of all colors. It indicates that one has gained all of the traits of character and skill necessary to surpass the obstacles encountered on the first "day" of the way. Black is the color of night. It shows that the first "day" is over, that a new day is coming. The Karateka's journey has not ended but merely begun.    You may also note that some of the instructors at our dojo are wearing Black Belts that are worn through showing white cloth. This symbolizes humility in that the more you think you know the closer you are to the beginning or white belt.    In the martial arts there is an infinite amount of knowledge as the martial arts are over 4 thousand years old. No one knows it all. It's a journey so have fun, relax and enjoy the journey. The junior ranking system for children includes a more comprehensive sub ranking system, to allow for more thorough learning in our younger students. The children acquire rank stripes on their belts to signify that they are progressing to the next belt. Back to previous page