The confidence of belts
Thursday 28 August 2025
Belts give you the confidence that your trousers won’t fall down. But in martial arts, the belt systems are an even more brilliant concept, and differentiate the sport from others in many ways. All sports, in theory, are related to development and achievement. But it’s how it’s assessed, measured and acknowledged that makes the difference. You may just play football for fun. But where are the goals (apart from the one with the net)? Perhaps you don’t need them, which is fair enough. The same applies to gym workouts. Could be just the exercise you need, and some people measure their fitness with strap-on instruments. A better heart rate? More muscle? Weight loss? The great thing about martial arts is that you get all of these automatically, almost as a by-product to all the rest.
Automatic recognition, at every level
Every belt, whatever colour, signifies both to you and everybody else that you’re an achiever.
Respect, at every level
Your respect for higher belts than yours is automatic. But you’ll find it works the other way round, too. Those with higher belts don’t look down on you. Remember, they’ve already been there, they know what you had to achieve, and they will bow with mutual respect.
There’s always an achievable goal
Of course, when they begin martial arts, most students aspire to become a Black Belt. But unlike New Year Resolutions, which always seem to set the bar too high and result inevitably in failure, your first belt is your achievable goal. Once you’ve attained that milestone, which wasn’t too difficult, you’re immediately on the road to your next milestone, your next belt.
It’s psychologically healthy and beneficial
Most of us have a psychological need to grow, to achieve, to have a sense of purpose and direction. This is continually satisfied and fulfilled with an ongoing belts system.
Always at your individual pace
Whether you’re part of a class or one-to-one tuition, the belts system treats you as an individual. There are tortoises and there are hares. We’re all different, and you will achieve your belts at your pace, physically and psychologically. Sure, your Senseis are there to encourage you, even push you, but we’re always sensitive to your individual needs, comfort and wellbeing.
Influential outside the Dojo
Your confidence, your attitude, your relationships are all affected positively by your belt status. Even though you’re not wearing it outside the Dojo, your belt is with you on the street, at work, in your social environment.
Belt colours
There is a rather poetical side to belt colours. In nature, every colour has a vibration and a meaning. In the East especially, the origin of martial arts, the warrior becomes wise, sensitive and responsible for his or her fellow human. Hence the Bushido Code, and its importance to honour, respect and humility, which we abide by at Meiji Martial Arts. Generally, this wisdom also relates to Nature, the importance of ki energy, without which nothing lives, and the relationship between all things – humans, all other living creatures and plant life. So, the colour of your belt has a more profound meaning than just its martial arts achievement. Every colour has its own energy, and these are some interpretations related to the belt colours we use for Meiji Kickboxing:
YELLOW
Sunlight breaking through, throwing first light, daybreak, on the techniques you have learned.
ORANGE
The light is warmer, you’re beginning to understand, your confidence is growing.
RED
This still relates to the sun and its true strength. But it is also the colour of Mars, the God of War. You have started to become aware of your power, but with power comes responsibility, and you still have a long way to go.
GREEN
Growth, vitality, from a shoot to a sapling.
PURPLE
The darkness before the dawn. You’re about to cross a line into blue-sky understanding.
BLUE
Clarity, the sky’s the limit, now you can soar to greater heights.
BROWN
The young skylark has come down to earth and is fast maturing. Feet are now firmly on the ground, Mother Earth is ready for you to establish your roots like an oak tree.
BLACK
Here lies wisdom. There is no colour. It is a sober arrival. You will hug your black belt, but you now realise that you’ve learned enough to know you know nothing, in the vast blackness of infinity. This is why you now progress through the Dans. The higher the Dan, the humbler you become. But your innate skills will never leave you.