At the Australian Martial Arts Academy, there are a total of 9 Belts Before Black. Starting with white going through to Black. Students attain their next level once they perform their required techniques for that specific rank at the Belt promotions, which occur 4 times a year. Lets get into their order and definition.

In accordance to their colour differences, the belt system at AMA also has references to nature. The white belt represents the purity of the innocence of a beginner with out knowledge. The yellow belt represents the emerging sun, the green the growth under the sun, the blue as the sky as we grow towards the sun, the red is the heat of the sun, and the black as the universe, and knower of all things.

White Belt

White signifies a birth, or beginning, of a seed. A white belt student is a beginner searching for knowledge of the Art. The white belt is the beginning of life’s cycle, and represents the seed as it lies beneath the snow in the winter.

Yellow Belt

Yellow signifies the first beams of sunlight which shines upon the seed giving it new strength with the beginning of new life. A yellow belt student is given their first ray of knowledge, opening their mind, from the instructors.

Orange Belt

Orange represents the growing power of the sun as it warms the earth to prepare for new growth in the spring. The orange belt is starting to feel their body and mind open and develop.

Green Belt

Green signifies the growth of the seedling as it grows from the earth, reaching toward the sun and begins to transform into a recognisable plant. A green belt student learns to strengthen and refine their techniques.

Blue Belt

Blue signifies the blue sky as the seed sprouts from the earth and begins to grow up. A blue belt student moves up higher in rank just as the plant grows taller. The light feeds the plant so it can continue to grow. The student is fed additional knowledge of the Art in order for their body and mind continue to grow and develop.

Purple Belt

Purple represents the changing sky of dawn, as once again the student undergoes a new change and prepares for the transition to advanced student. A purple belt begins to understand the meaning of the black belt.

Brown Belt

Brown represents the ripening of the seed, a maturing and harvesting process. A brown belt is an advanced student whose techniques are beginning to mature, and he is beginning to understand the fruits of his hard work as a beginner.

Red Belt

Red signifies the red-hot heat of the Sun as the plant continues growing toward it. As a red belt student acquires more detailed knowledge, just as the plant grows slowly toward the Sun, so the red belt student learns to be more cautious with his knowledge and physical abilities. Red is a sign of danger, and the red belt is beginning to become dangerous with their knowledge and abilities.

Cho Dan Bo

The Cho Dan Bo Belt is the Pre-curser to the Black Belt. It represent the calm before the awakening. Students experience part of the the black belt through their similar testing in preparation for the elusive Black Belt. They are to demonstrate the determination, will power, discipline, skill and focus of a Black Belt.

Black Belt

Black signifies the darkness beyond the Sun. A black belt seeks new, more profound knowledge of the Art. In this pursuit, the student plants new seeds which helps them grow and mature. His students, many whom will form roots deep into the Art, blossom and grow through the ranks in a never-ending process of self-growth, knowledge, and enlightenment. The Black Belt Belt is likened to graduation from education, from which the student will determine their individual specialty/Focus.