Mauthos
2nd Black Belt
The title says it all really.
I ask this question as it is well documented what the dan grades represent within the world of kenpo from Junior instructor (1st) to Professor (6th) to the dizzy heights of Senior Master of the Arts or Grand Master (10th).
However, the order of the coloured belts, white, yellow, orange, purple, blue, green then the 3 browns do not seem to have anything associated with them.
I am curious as research from several sources reveals many reasons behind the colour scheme used within the martial arts such as:
- You only ever wear one belt, your white. Forbidden to wash it so over time (can wash your knowledge out
) dirt, grime etc, gradually turn it black (not sure I trust that one)
- Again only one belt was worn as it used to be difficult to obtain different coloured belts, therefore the white belt was dyed every time a new rank was attained, therefore the colours were lighter to start with becoming progressively darker etc (doesn't quite work for Kenpo)
- There is a story behind the colours. I know from a friend who teaches Tang Soo Do that the order of their belts has an interesting story explaining how your knowledge of the art develops and grows like that of the tree, the various changes in colour of your belt therefore reflects your growth in regards to that reflecting the growth of the tree.
Personally, I think it could just be a order decided on simply to make up the syllabus right at the start, however, I would like to think there is some kind of reason and story behind the specific order, like that of Tang Soo.
If anyone has any ideas or input, please share below
I ask this question as it is well documented what the dan grades represent within the world of kenpo from Junior instructor (1st) to Professor (6th) to the dizzy heights of Senior Master of the Arts or Grand Master (10th).
However, the order of the coloured belts, white, yellow, orange, purple, blue, green then the 3 browns do not seem to have anything associated with them.
I am curious as research from several sources reveals many reasons behind the colour scheme used within the martial arts such as:
- You only ever wear one belt, your white. Forbidden to wash it so over time (can wash your knowledge out

- Again only one belt was worn as it used to be difficult to obtain different coloured belts, therefore the white belt was dyed every time a new rank was attained, therefore the colours were lighter to start with becoming progressively darker etc (doesn't quite work for Kenpo)
- There is a story behind the colours. I know from a friend who teaches Tang Soo Do that the order of their belts has an interesting story explaining how your knowledge of the art develops and grows like that of the tree, the various changes in colour of your belt therefore reflects your growth in regards to that reflecting the growth of the tree.
Personally, I think it could just be a order decided on simply to make up the syllabus right at the start, however, I would like to think there is some kind of reason and story behind the specific order, like that of Tang Soo.
If anyone has any ideas or input, please share below
