ISKF Rank Progression

Traditionally, there are no coloured belts in Karate. Students begin with white belts until they master the basics of the style, at which point they earn a black belt. This is historically 'the beginning', as the Karate-ka now possesses the knowledge and capability to pursue Karate in earnest. The progression into higher ranks of black belt takes hard work, study and time, and with it the black belt fades until it is white again. It is a full circle -- a Karate life -- in which learning never ends.

Today a coloured ranking system signifies a student's level of proficiency (Kyu) leading up to the rank of Shodan (1st Dan) - black belt.