The Black Belt. Everybody in the world knows it means… or thinks they know what it means!
They think a Black Belt means you’re tough—maybe even a killer. It means you’re skilled—maybe even a master. It means you’re wise—maybe even a white-bearded wizard who wields the power to turn villains into dust with the wave of a hand.
Of course, as students in the martial arts, we know that’s all a bunch of nonsense!
For most of us, earning a Black Belt is just another step on the road to learning more about our art and ourselves. The Black Belt means we’ve put in the time and effort to grasp the basics…and nothing more!
So, if the Black Belt isn’t the greatest achievement in the martial arts, what is? A fifth degree Black Belt? A tenth degree?
Nope. Not even close!
The greatest achievement in the martial arts is the White Belt.
Why? Because most people will never wear one! EVER!
It hurts my heart to say it, but most people will never find the courage to walk into a martial arts school and try a class… even though they know they should!
You know what I’m talking about. Your friends and family all know that the martial arts are a great way (dare I say the BEST way!) to empower themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually… but does that mean they’ll do it?
NO!
Even if you beg them… even if you hold their hand… even if it’s FREE… they still won’t do it.
So, when someone beats the odds and makes it to that first class—WOW! That should be cause for celebration.
They conquered their doubts! They defeated their fears! They overcame the most difficult challenge of all—taking the first step!
Give them pie.
But hold on—even though I think the White Belt is the greatest achievement in the martial arts, that doesn’t make it the most important rank. No…
The most important rank in the martial arts is not the Black Belt or the White Belt… it’s the FIRST belt.
Maybe it’s a Yellow Belt, maybe it’s a Blue Belt—it’s different in every school—but whatever rank follows the White Belt is the most important.
Yes, it took bravery to try the first class, but it takes faith and fortitude to earn the first colored belt.
Earning the first colored belt means you had to fail… and try again. You had to open your mind… and listen. You had to let down your guard… and trust.
It’s so easy to forget how difficult being a beginner can be…
- You don’t know the teacher.
- You don’t know the other students.
- You don’t know the moves.
- You don’t speak the language.
- You don’t understand the process. AGHH!
But you keep showing up. You ask the questions. You take the falls. You see yourself from a new perspective and challenge your identity.
Let’s face it—the time period between White Belt and that first belt is the most difficult… but it’s also the most exciting!
Over time, your confidence will grow. You’ll feel more comfortable with your style, your school, and yourself. Which is why, if you keep training and ultimately earn a Black Belt or beyond, it almost seems… inevitable.
Should you still be proud to earn a Black Belt? Of course! You beat the odds… TWICE!
Just don’t forget the bravery it took to show up and tie on that White Belt in the first place… or the physical and mental toughness it took to earn that first colored belt.
So, if you’re currently wearing your first rank or beyond, go eat a pie. You deserve it!
What do you think the most important rank in the martial arts is? Tell me in the comments section below!
- The Most Important Rank in the Martial Arts - December 11, 2018
Great article Ando. I was also very happy to get my first patch in Krav Maga Global. (A “white belt” in our system wears no patch.) That first rank (“practitioner 1”) meant a lot to me because I hadn’t practiced or tested in any system during a 15 year break. Finding a place where I was happy to train, and learning enough to pass that first test, was a tangible milestone that showed I was on the right path.
That’s fantastic, Richard. I hope your story will inspire someone else to get to their first belt! Happy training!
Dear Ando,
Thanks for this article. I totally agree with you. I am a new black belt and, while I am happy and proud to have gained this result (as an adult!), I remember really well how happy I felt when I reached my yellow belt some years ago! I felt to be finally “part of the family”. These results have great value for me. I have started to train in karate after my 30s (and I have learned that the age is just a number!) and now I am a better person. Karate has taught me a lot of things, about myself and also about my relationships with the others. I could not be more grateful for having met karate in my life. It is just like having received an unexpected, beautiful gift in my life. I hope to read soon other articles by you.
Hi Daniela!
Congratulations on the black belt! You make a great point– the feeling of family. As a white belt, you can still feel like an outsider or visitor. But by that first belt, everyone knows you’re serious… and worth helping! Or making fun of– that’s family for you! 🙂
Thank you for the kind words. Happy training!
Thank you Sensei Ando – a great article that really reflects my experiences as a Pudgy Middle-Aged Matron ™ who first stepped on the mat 10 years ago at the age of 47. Not to toot my own horn (well maybe just a little) but to show that it doesn’t matter when you start or what your limitations are. I got my first black belt about a year and a half ago and I’m not quitting anytime soon.
Awesome, RoseAnne! You make being a Pudgy Middle-Aged Matron look cool! 😀
Keep fighting!
As you know, Muay Thai has no belts. But the “difficult being a beginner” reasons don’t require them, and they were to a large degree why I waited so long before starting. That and my natural athletic awkwardness and inability! I cared what people thought about me when I was a kid. Now, being 2 months short of my 68th birthday, I can honestly say that hasn’t been true for quite some time..
Freedom! FREEEEEEDOM!! 😀
I hope everyone who reads your comment is inspired to chase after their goals a little sooner. Thank you for the inspiration, Art!
Ando, I agree that the first belt is the most important! when I was a white belt testing for my yellow belt I was so nervous that when I was doing my first form I had a down block and punch as movements and my mind was all messed up I kept doing down blocks right out the gym door! but I stayed with it and came back to test again in two weeks now I am a 8th degree black belt
Out the door! That’s a great story, Lawrence. HA!
Congratulations on never giving up and making it so far down the road. Continued blessings on your journey!
Hi Sensei. It’s great to see you sharing information and stories on another site. My first belt test from white to white-yellow was one of the hardest things I’ve done. I knew the skills and poomsae and I had even done my breaking technique successfully once before but when I got on the mat I almost lost my lunch! It got so bad that my instructor stopped my test, walked onto the mat and told me to close my eyes. He spun me around a few times and then told me to sit and regain my focus. After that I went through the test a lot better and earned my new rank. About 6 weeks ago I ranked up again to yellow belt. I was still nervous but the test went a whole lot better. I brought my white belt to that test to remind me to be confident in myself and I plan on bringing it to every test moving forward. I felt so empowered after that. that I decided to pursue a 2nd discipline and started Danzan Ryu Jujitsu at the tender age of 54! I think every belt is its own journey that should be embraced with enthusiasm and respect. Peace.
Hi Kelly! Nice to see you, too!
I LOVE the idea of bringing your white belt with you to every test. I might start recommending that to everyone!
Thanks for the inspiration! Peace!
Love it
So true 😊
Thanks, Justin! Happy training! 🙂
Hi Ando, I like what you said about the white being important. I was taught originally there was only the white belt and it changed color from hard work and sweat until it darkened to near black. As you continue your journey that Black Belt would again turn white through wear. Now, as I progress through the Dans of being a Black Belt – I’m going for that all important white belt (if that makes any sense). Sensei, I love how you bring into light, subjects and ideas to make us think. Keep up your great works. Respectfully, Valmore, Okinawan Shorin-Ryu, ANSOKS Dojo – PetersburA VA,
Hi Valmore! I love the idea that you’re working on your white belt! What a perfect phrase.
Thanks for your support, sir. Happy training to you! 🙂