In class, students are divided into groups according to their experience, each group identified by the wearing of different coloured belts.
Brand new students wear a white belt before progressing to yellow, orange, blue, then green, brown and finally black.
Gradings are held to give students the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned at class and to progress to the next level. It is important for students to experience a feeling of “elevation” and a sense of achievement. These are held at regular intervals throughout the year, students attempt a grading when they and their instructor believe they are ready to progress to the next level, working their way through the levels at their own pace.
After successfully completing a grading students receive the next level belt and a certificate of achievement.
Usually, students attempting coloured gradings, do so locally at the club.
More senior gradings, such as Black Belt and above are held at special grading days, where students and instructors all come together from a variety of areas. This is done so to promote on going standards and ensuring that there is more formality in this important achievements.
When grading, the essence is in competing against yourself…that is, to better your last performance, to over come fear, apprehension and indecision and to display commitment and effort. It is because of these elements that ultimately see the students reach their goals.
Zen Do Kai Belt Ranking System Coloured Belts
YELLOW BELT
“The first step on the journey of a thousand miles seemingly the hardest step”
ORANGE BELT
“The first sign of strength, it is considered a great loss of face to lag behind the pace”
BLUE BELT
“Set yourself apart, you are now at the intermediate stage”
GREEN BELT
“Conceive, Believe and Achieve”
BROWN BELT
“When you see a worthy person endeavour to emulate him…when you see and unworthy person then examine your inner self”
BLACK BELT
“A true Black Belt following the path of the Warrior unwittingly changes their way of life, for they can never be the same person again”
RANK |
BELT CHANGE |
DESCRIPTION |
| Sho Dan Ho (Probationary 1st Degree) | Black | |
| Sho Dan (Full 1st Degree) | No change | |
| Ni Dan Ho (Probationary 2nd Degree) | No change | |
| Ni Dan (Full 2nd Degree) | Red embroidered writing on Belt. | Reading in Japanese & Chinese on one end “Empty Hand Way”- “Red Dragon System” the other end reading in Japanese students name |
| San Dan Ho (Prob. 3rd Degree) | No change | |
| San Dan (Full 3rd Degree) | No change | |
| Yon Dan Ho (Prob. 4th Degree) | No change | |
| Yon Dan (Full 4th Degree) | Outside of belt half covered in White the other half in Red. | Worn with the white upper most. Embroidered writing stays. |
| Go Dan Ho (Prob. 5th Degree) | No change | |
| Go Dan (Full 5th Degree) | Outside of belt half covered in white the other half in red. | Worn with the red uppermost (belt turned around from 4th Dan). Embroidered writing stays |
| Roku Dan Ho (Prob. 6th Degree) | 8mm Red stripe centred around outside of Belt. | Embroidered writing stays |
| Roku Dan (Full 6th Degree) | No change | |
| Sichi Dan Ho (Prob. 7th Degree) | No change | |
| Sichi Dan (Full 7th Degree) | 16mm Red stripe centred around outside of Belt. | Embroidered writing stays |
| Hachi Dan Ho (Prob. 8th Degree) | No change | |
| Hachi Dan (Full 8th Degree) | 24mm Red stripe centred around outside of Belt. | Embroidered writing stays |
| Ku Dan Ho (Prob. 9th Degree) | No change | |
| Ku Dan Ho (Full 9th Degree) | Red Belt with 8mm Black stripe centred around outside of Belt | |
| Ju Dan Ho (Prob.10th Degree) | No change | |
| Ju Dan (Full 10th Degree) | Solid Red Belt |
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