Obi (martial arts)

Such colours typically start from white for beginners and progress through yellow, orange and red (in varying order), green, blue, brown, and culminating in black for masters.

In some martial arts it is used for the highest dan ranks, the founder of a style or a grandmaster, while in others it designates a low or unranked beginner.

[4] In some aikido schools, wearing a hakama is a privilege earned by reaching the first dan level.

The Bujinkan (武神館) makes use of only a limited set of belt colours, however there are also different associated uniform emblems or wappen (ワッペン), the style of which varies dependent on the grade of the Budoka.

[citation needed] The following table shows karate ranks and the respective obi colours worn by adults in the major styles: Kyokushin, wadō-ryū, Shotokan KUGB, and Shitō-ryū.

Note that some dojos in Kyokushin use a more elaborate striping system for children, allowing for a higher frequency of exams.