When you start learning Karate, you already passed the most important promotion. This has taken place in your head by taking the decision to learn this great Martial Art. In Karate there are several different belt colours. One distinguishes between Master grades (black belts, Dan) and student grades (coloured belts, Kyu). You are a master when you have passed the test for the first Dan (black belt) and have obtained a diploma. For student grades, the progress is also expressed through the different belt colours.   There are total of 9 Kyu grades and 10 Dan grades: 9th Kyu White Belt The snow lies on the landscape. The teacher does not see the student. The student does not see the teaching. 8th Kyu Yellow Belt The snow melts. The hard, frozen soil shines yellow. The teacher does not see if the student is fertile. The student does not see if a fruit will grow from this teaching. 7th Kyu Orange Belt The fertile soil shines in the red setting sun. The teacher does not see a fruit yet. The student germinates, but is not able to do anything. 6th Kyu Green Belt A plant grows? The teacher sees, the student understands. The student recognizes the effect of the teaching. 5th Kyu Blue Belt The treetop reaches into the sky. 4th Kyu Purple Belt The teacher sees the life of his seed. The student sees the profoundness of the teaching. 3rd Kyu Brown Belt The tree has a firm bark. 2nd Kyu Brown Belt The teacher sees the beginning of an independent life. 1st Kyu Brown Belt The student sees, firmly adhered, the first peak in the distance. 1st Dan Black Belt To stroll in the silence.