Do You Know the Jiu-Jitsu Belt System? Discover Their Meanings and How to Earn Them
You probably already know about Jiu-Jitsu belts, as they are part of the attire (both in training and competitions). But do you know their meanings and how they are earned?
This system is fundamental and serves as a sort of classification for athletes based on their dedication and level of knowledge in the gentle art.
To clarify how the belt system works, we've crafted this article to explain various aspects of this topic. Want to learn everything about this subject? Then, stay with us and find out more below!
The History of Jiu-Jitsu Belts The belt grading system was adopted with the primary goal of standardizing fighters' progression, facilitating teaching, and optimizing competitions (by knowledge levels).
Thus, each belt earned by an athlete signifies that they've taken another step towards mastering the art, focusing on continuous learning.
Therefore, we can say that the evolution of Jiu-Jitsu belts is not the "destination" but rather the path taken and the result of dedication both on and off the mat — a recognition.
Additionally, this system helps understand the hierarchy within the mat and even indicates to whom students should look up.
The Process for Belt Advancement Basically, there are two ways to progress: through a test conducted on the mat or based on the instructor's assessment — using all the knowledge acquired over the years to observe and identify students' skill levels. Below, we explain how each method works.
Belt Test This is the less common method and is seldom used in Brazil. Periodically, the instructor organizes tests with various exercises to evaluate students' skills and determine if they've improved over time.
If approved and within the training time frame, the athlete receives the new belt (a higher grade than the current one). On the other hand, if they fail, they must continue training and prepare better for the next test.
Instructor's Decision It's more common for students to be assessed directly by the instructor — without undergoing a test — who selects those most prepared to move up.
However, for this to happen, practitioners must spend a minimum period at each level, necessary to ensure they have the required techniques and knowledge.
Jiu-Jitsu Belts and What Each Represents There are several belts in Jiu-Jitsu. Below, we list and explain each one, in order of progression for adults.
White Belt This is worn by beginners who are just starting and are acquiring basic knowledge of the gentle art — it symbolizes birth.
Blue Belt Students who attain this belt are moving upwards, symbolizing the sky. The seed that was growing in the previous phase has now become a tree that continues to grow. It shows an even greater pursuit to refine Jiu-Jitsu techniques.
It's worth noting that adults begin with the blue belt (gray, yellow, orange, and green are used for children and teenagers).
Purple Belt At this stage, students have undergone many changes, gained more experience in the art, and demonstrate readiness to advance towards the black belt.
Brown Belt Here, the student is very close to reaping the rewards of their effort. It represents maturity and preparation to achieve the highest recognition for dedication over time.
Black Belt This is the main goal for any student starting in the art and aiming to complete the journey. It's the highest level of Jiu-Jitsu, indicating that they've accumulated enough knowledge to pass it on to other students.
However, it's important to note that this is just another beginning, as there are several levels within this rank, from level one (sho dan) to level 10 (ju dan).
The Importance of Continuous Improvement As mentioned, Jiu-Jitsu belts are a result of the effort students put into training. So, the most important thing is to focus on improving skills and becoming a more technical fighter — as a result, belt advancement will come over time.
This improvement is especially crucial for those planning to compete, as practitioners will face various athletes who may have even more developed tactics, despite being at the same technical level.
As you can see, Jiu-Jitsu belts represent a student's evolution over time. The more dedication, the quicker the recognition comes (within the established evaluation periods, of course). So, stay focused on becoming a better athlete with more skills.
What do you think of this article? Do you have experience with belt advancement in Jiu-Jitsu? Have you participated in any tests? Then, share all your opinions and experiences with us in the comments!
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