Judo Belts 101: The Complete Guide to the Ranking System

Embark on a journey through the colorful world of judo belts! This comprehensive guide delves into the significance of each rank, from the humble white belt of the beginner to the coveted black belt of the master. Discover the intricate system of kyū and dan grades, the role of sparring and competitions, and how the pursuit of judo mastery fosters personal growth and cultivates a vibrant community. Unravel the rich tapestry of tradition, discipline, and self-improvement woven into every judo belt.
Karate Belt Order: What Each Rank Really Means

The karate belt order confuses a lot of people walking into their first dojo—and honestly, it should. White to yellow to orange to green to blue to purple to brown to black. But the colors aren’t ancient tradition. They’re barely a century old. Jigoro Kano invented the system for Judo, Funakoshi brought it to Shotokan, and now every dojo uses some version of it. Here’s the breakdown: kyu ranks are your colored belts counting down to 1st kyu brown belt. Dan ranks are black belts counting up. First dan (shodan) isn’t mastery—it’s mastery of fundamentals. The real journey starts there.