Ever wonder where the martial arts belt system actually came from?
Most people assume belts have always been a thing in martial arts, but the truth is, they’re a fairly modern invention—especially when you consider the thousands of years of combat history across various cultures. Like many things in martial arts, the belt system was born out of Judo, and it eventually made its way into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), where it evolved into something very different.
Let’s break it down.
From Kimonos to Belts: The Origins of the Ranking System
In 1907, Judo founder Jigoro Kano introduced the now-iconic judogi (Judo uniform) and belt. Before that, his students trained in traditional Japanese kimonos. At the time, there were only two belts: white and black.
- White belt = beginner. Learning fundamentals.
- Black belt = someone who’s mastered those basics and is ready to take their training deeper.
It was clean, simple, and based purely on progression—not aesthetics or marketing. White represented a beginner’s mind: pure, egoless, ready to learn. Black meant you had a solid foundation and were starting to truly study the art.
There’s a popular myth that belts got darker from years of training—stained with blood, sweat, and dirt until white turned black. While that’s a powerful image, there’s no historical proof of it. It’s more legend than fact.
How Colored Belts Came Into the Picture
It wasn’t until 1935 that the colored belt system we know today started to appear. Mikonosuke Kawaishi, teaching Judo in Paris, introduced colors like yellow, orange, green, blue, and purple to help motivate Western students. He understood something important: Westerners thrive on visible progress. A white belt grinding for years with no visual sign of improvement just wasn’t going to work for most people outside Japan.
This shift says a lot about cultural differences:
- In the East, martial arts was (and still is) often seen as a lifelong journey with little emphasis on “status.”
- In the West, people want measurable progress, quick wins, and visible achievement.
So the idea of intermediate colors took off—first in Judo, then across other martial arts, and eventually in BJJ.
How BJJ Took the System and Made It Its Own
When Mitsuyo Maeda—a Judo expert and ground-fighting specialist—brought his knowledge to Brazil in 1914, he unknowingly helped birth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie family adapted and evolved his techniques into something uniquely their own. But the uniform (gi) and belt system stuck.
Today, almost every martial art uses some version of Kano’s original concept.
But here’s where BJJ stands apart: belt promotions in BJJ are earned through live application—not memorized forms or belt tests.
In other words: you can’t fake it on the mat.
Belt Promotions in BJJ: It’s Not About the Belt
Too many people get obsessed with the color around their waist. But at Fargo BJJ, we believe that progress is about performance, mindset, and consistency.
Promotions in our academy (and other serious schools) aren’t handed out because you showed up a certain number of times or paid for a test. They’re earned by showing technical understanding, applying techniques under pressure, and growing both physically and mentally in the art.
As John Danaher puts it:
“Can you successfully apply your moves in live training in the gym against people in the belt category above yours? If not, you probably don’t need a new belt just yet.”
That’s not to say strength or youth is the only factor. We look at age, injuries, and individual limitations too. But the standard remains: you need to be effective in live training, not just theoretical technique.
And most importantly—belts aren’t the goal. Mastery is.
A Word About “Black Belts” and McDojos
Thanks to 1970s Hollywood and flashy martial arts movies, the idea of a “black belt” got twisted. Suddenly, black belts were superheroes. Masters of all things. Invincible.
That led to the rise of the McDojo—commercialized martial arts schools promising black belts in 2 years, offering little real training, and preying on uninformed parents.
That’s not what BJJ is about. A true black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is earned through years (and often over a decade) of consistent, challenging, humbling work. Not because you memorized a list. Not because you paid for it. Because you earned it on the mat.
So when you see an 8-year-old with a black belt in something, remember: not all belts are created equal.
The Journey Is the Belt
The truth is, every black belt started as a white belt who didn’t quit. That’s not just a quote—it’s reality. The belts are milestones, but the training is the destination.
So next time you’re wondering when your next stripe is coming or how long until your next promotion, remember what matters most: are you better than you were yesterday?
Because that’s what Jiu-Jitsu is all about.
Want to Learn More About the Art and History of BJJ?
Come train with us at Fargo BJJ, where tradition meets evolution. Our mission isn’t just to teach techniques—it’s to help you build character, confidence, and long-term mastery. Whether you’re a brand-new white belt or a veteran grappler, we’ve got a spot for you on the mat.