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.