What Is the Red Belt in Martial Arts?

Many martial arts practices involve the use of belts to signify rank. The red belt is a ranking in several martial arts practices and can be found at varying skill levels depending on the specific practice.

  1. TaeKwon-Do

    • The International TaeKwon-Do Association places the red belt immediately before black belt. The color represents the heat of the sun and the caution needed as the student's abilities increase. The physical skills are learned at this level but the student must still learn control before moving to a black belt.

    Judo

    • In Judo, a martial art that originated in Japan, there are several degrees of black belt. Red is an optional belt color to recognize 9th and 10th degree black belts that have a significantly higher understanding of Judo physical and mental practices.

    Shotokan Karate

    • In Karate, the red belt is the third belt achieved. Depending on skill and study it can take 4 to 6 months of training as an orange belt to achieve the red belt. Red belts are followed by the yellow belts for ranking purposes.