Traditional History of the Karate Belt The Traditional belt colors consisted of (White, Yellow, Green, Brown, Black) and have significance, as each grows darker. The Karateka originally started with a white belt, and with age and sweat the belt would yellow. As the Karateka continued training green appeared as mildew on the belt. Since Karate had to be taught in secret and the belt was usually worn under regular clothing to hide it, it was often put away wet, hence the growth of mold. As the Karateka gained more knowledge and started to perfect techniques, the Green mold mixed with the soil and sweat and turned the belt Brown. As the Karateka gained still more knowledge and perfected Basic Techniques the now Brown belt turned Black, and a black belt was a sure sign of long and hard training. The Ultimate goal of a Black Belt should be the wearing out of the Belt revealing the White inner threads; Thus returning to Innocence and coming Full Circle.