The colours in the belt ranking system signify Growth in Knowledge. The order and colours of karate belts differ in different karate styles. Gichin Funakoshi adopted the belt ranking system and philosophical concepts from Judo.
Originally, the white belt was simply dyed to a new colour. This repeated dying process dictated the type of belt colour and the order of the colours. The standard belt colour system is white, yellow, gold, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, red and black. Due to the dying process, it was only practical to increasingly use darker colours. All of this came about shortly after the Second World War, when Korea and Japan were very poor countries. Dying the belts to a new colour was a cheap way to have a visible, simple and effective ranking system.
Washing a Karate belt
Some people feel you should never wash a Karate belt, especially a "yūdansha" (black belt grade). This thought is do with the Karate tradition, honour, respect, dedication to achieve the belt, however this will be a matter of personal preference and hygiene.
Belts should not need washing as often as the gi, if put on just before and taken off straight after training and handled with care (not thrown on the floor) it shouldn’t get all that dirty/sweaty, after a period of time if it may need washing, carefully wash by hand and dry naturally, similar to gi’s belts can shrink, (sometimes more than gi’s) washing machines and definitely tumble dryers should be avoided.
Extra care should be taken with silk and satin belts.
Tying a Karate Belt
Wash & Fold Karate Gi
