Understanding the Belt Rankings
 

Why are there different color belts?
The belt colors are symbolic philosophically and spiritually in the LifeForce Karate System of Contemporary-Traditional Martial Arts. It will not only benefit the student to learn the philosophy behind each belt, but to share it with others. Martial arts were created to protect the religious and philosophical beliefs of the people who practiced them. Different martial arts have been so changed in the United States for sports competition that much of their significance has been lost. It is up to the serious student to carry on the traditions that give the LifeForce Karate System its birth and heritage.

White Belt 

Level: 9th
The white belt symbolizes purity and innocence as well as lack of knowledge. The student wearing a white belt comes into training free of judgments and bias from other kinds of training and knowledge with reference to the martial arts. The student is an open vessel ready to be filled with the knowledge that the teacher desires to pass down. Scripture states, "...unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure. In fact both their minds and consciences are corrupted." Let us all strive for that spiritual purity of which Paul is writing. We can only do this by always striving to keep our minds and hearts free from corruption and unbelief.

Yellow Belt

Level: 8th
As the student begins to train and be filled with knowledge, sweat and dirt begin to cover the belt. The belt becomes yellow in time. It is this point in training that students learn and practice the "fundamentals" that form the foundation of the system. Scripture states, “I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will not be put to shame." When a student fails to grasp the fundamentals in training he or she will only get hurt, or hurt others. Scripture further states, "...the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone." Christ is our foundation, and when we reject Him, we are setting ourselves up for ruin.

 

Orange Belt

Level: 7th
This is a transitional belt. As the student continues to train and sweat and advance closer to the intermediate ranks, the belt becomes darker. Orange symbolizes this. It's at this stage that the student should begin to Realize his or her potential. Scripture states, "...from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." We are all given talents and abilities and we are expected to make the most of them. This is the level at which the student is expected to make serious commitments to training.

Blue Belt  

Level: 6th
This belt is the beginning of the intermediate level of training. As more knowledge fills the student, the student practices and sweats more. The belt turns blue. The belt also demonstrates that the student understands and accepts the fundamentals or basics of the system and has chosen to persevere towards the goal of 'higher", more complicated techniques. Scripture states, "1 press on toward the high calling of God." Just as we persevere in our knowledge of technique, even more so, we are urged to persevere in our desire to know Christ and His will for our lives. 

Green Belt

Level: 5th
As more sweat and dirt fill the student's belt, it turns dark green. This belt represents the upper intermediate level. As the student is filled with more knowledge, he or she strives to add speed, power and fluidity to his or her movements. The student not only reacts more quickly in "fighting" situations, but also now begins to act of his own volition to control the situation or the opponent. Yet, the "Christian warrior" realizes that the Holy Spirit is what gives him the power for service. Scripture states, "...but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." Just as we all strive for physical power in our techniques, we should strive for spiritual power to be witnesses for what Christ has done in our lives

Red Belt  

Level: 4th & 3rd
This belt represents the lower advanced level of training. At this rank the student has made serious sacrifices of blood, sweat and tears to learn even more difficult techniques and to train his or her body for serious combat or defense. Red symbolizes this. As the student is filled with more knowledge he or she should become humbled as he or she realizes that this system of defense is only one of many and that mere physical skills will not defeat another who displays more discipline, courage and passions. Many instructors will teach to empty the mind of emotion when fighting. We teach that the greatest fighter will defend out of love for the one he or she protects; and because he or she ultimately loves the assailant, the greatest fighter will never act brutally. Scripture states, "He teacheth my hands to war, so a bow of steel is broken in my arms." We believe that God ordains war at times to serve His purposes. It is our duty to defend our loved ones, our country, and our selves when called to do so. The cross is our reason to defend our way of life. Christ's death and resurrection are our hope that we always continue to share with others. Satan chooses to make war on all of those who choose to spread the gospel by words or actions. We must always be on guard.

Brown Belt

Level: 2nd & 1st
This belt represents the upper advanced rank. The student realizes he or she is close to black belt and wants to impress the instructor that he or she is ready. The student tends to be most aggressive at this rank. As more knowledge, sweat and dirt are poured into the belt, it turns brown. It is at this rank that the student is expected to demonstrate superb skill and expertise in the basics as well as many advanced techniques. Just as an artist must learn to master the basics of color, proper strokes, shading techniques, etc. to create, so the brown belt is finalizing his or her learning to be able soon to create on his or her own. The lion has a notorious reputation for being aggressive and fierce. Scripture describes the Lord as a lion when it comes to driving out the enemies of His people. The angel of the Lord tells the apostle John not to weep because the Lion of Judah is able to open the scrolls proclaiming judgment upon the earth. We need to be aggressive and fierce not only in protecting those we love, but in fighting our worst enemies: Satan, the world and the flesh. Christ said, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body."
 

Black Belt

Degree: 1st thru 10th
This is the final change in belt color. This belt signifies mastery of all of the basics and expertise in even more of the advanced techniques than at brown belt. The student has been filled with so much knowledge, sweat and dirt that the belt has now turned black. The student must make a choice: to continue training or to quit. If the student chooses to quit, he or she will miss an opportunity to perfect the art and pass knowledge

on to others through the martial arts. If the student chooses to continue, he or she will have many opportunities to share the arts; and when the student has trained a long time; his or her belt will begin to turn white again. This symbolizes the purity that comes from willingness to continue to learn, through perfection of technique and through faithfulness in handing down the knowledge that was given to him or her. Gichin Funikoshi, the founder of karate said, "Before I made black belt I was learning to begin. After making black belt I realize I'm beginning to learn." This is where the 'art' begins as the student places his own personality and values into the system. He begins to interpret and create from the 'well' inside his or her being. Now that the student has the mind of a 'warrior', and all of the 'tools' necessary to defend him or herself, the student continues a lifelong journey of learning how to apply these tools to different situations and opponents. Scripture states, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." Just as we desire a black belt to show mastery of our martial arts, we also need to master the Bible to understand God's will for our daily lives.