Belt Ranks

Other theories for the origin of the color belts include:

Dyeing Theory. In the old days, as the student progressed in rank, the belt was simply dyed to a new color. This repeated dyeing process determined the colors and the order of colors. Due to the dyeing process, it was practical to use increasingly darker colors so the usual color order is white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and black.

White-Belt-Getting-Dirtier Theory. Traditionally, when a person began the study of Taekwondo, he or she received a white belt to hold the uniform together. After many months of training, the white would begin to discolor and become yellowish and possibly orange. After many months of rigorous practice, many times in grassy fields, the belt would take on a green appearance as it discolored further. After several years of practice, the belt would further darken, assuming a dark blue or purple hue. After numerous sparring sessions, the belt might develop a red or brown hue from the accumulation of bloodstains. After several decades of Taekwondo training, the belt would eventually turn black. If the student devoted his or her life to Taekwondo training, the belt would continue to darken, but it would also begin to fray and begin to show spots of white from its inner core. Gradually, most of the black would wear away and the belt would become white again, signifying that the student had come full circle and reached the final stage of enlightenment.