In the kids' program there are two ranks in white belt and four ranks in each of the other belts. The higher rank is signified by a stripe of the color of the belt that follows. So a High White Belt would be identified by a yellow stripe on the belt. Click on the picture of your current belt level to find out what you need to know for your next test!
Eleventh gup -- White Belt
You may not know this, but each belt in the martial arts has its own meaning! The color white is like snow, or purity -- no knowledge. Being a good White Belt means you just have to come to class with an open mind and be ready for almost anything. There are two ranks for white belt, and you can tell who has earned a high white because they have a yellow stripe on their belt. In order to earn your stripes, you have to test in front of Master Evans and show her all the stuff you have been working on. If you want to know what you're supposed to know in order to test just click on the belt that looks like the one you are wearing right now.
But remember - after you move on to the next level you still have to know everything that comes before it too!
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Tenth and Ninth gup -- Yellow Belt
The color yellow is like seeds - so being a Yellow Belt is about showing patience. Seeds don't try to sprout during the winter, they are supposed to wait until springtime. There are five "elements" in Martial Arts and the first one you learn about is called "Earth". I'm pretty sure that you know what the Earth is, but did you know The key to Yellow Belt is patience, as it takes time to grow roots and begin to sprout. This belt takes on the cardinal element of Earth, and is a time of being grounded.
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Eighth and Seventh -- Green Belt
The color green is like the grass and trees, which grow deep roots and begin to tower over the land. It is a time of sturdiness, growth, and reliability. Green is also the first intermediate color, and shows that the basics of white and yellow belt can now be used. Green Belts are given more flowing movements and are shown about the energy of water. After you plant a seed in the ground, it is time to add water to make it grow big and strong. Water can be anything! If you fill a glass with water, it turns into the shape of the glass. Being able to move in new ways that you may not expect will make up a lot of your classes.
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Sixth and Fifth gup -- Blue Belt
The color blue is a very cool color. It is the color of the sky, and it passively surrounds the Earth and trees. The Blue Belt student learns about the power of air, and how to pull what you need from the air around you. Learning to fly is the key to finding out about this color, and the Blue Belt soars to new heights in their training.
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Fourth and Third -- Red Belt
The color red has mulitple meanings. It is the color of the sun, and watches over the entire Earth. Fire is the focus as Red Belts begin to learn and define speed, motion and redirection. This color also represents an advanced student, and the true begining of learning to teach the Martial Arts. Red also means danger or warning, someone to watch out for.
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Second and First gup -- Black Belt
The color black represents the embodiment of the basics, or the universe. A Black Belt understands that they know nothing, having progressed through all the colored belts and coming full circle. The rank of a Black Belt is denoted by white stripes, showing that their next belt is white. There are ranks of Black Belt all the way up to 9th dan.
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Promotions
Every six to eight weeks, there is a belt test to determine who is ready to move on to the next level. Students will be tested on the curriculum for their current belt, and depending how they do, will be promoted to the next rank. In order to participate in testings, students must ask permission from the Instructor no more than a week preceding the test. Testings are usually all day affairs, starting with a general cleaning of the school.