Aikido Belt Rankings

White Belt 6th Kyu,

Yellow Belt 5th Kyu,

Orange Belt 4th Kyu,

Green Belt 3rd Kyu,

Blue Belt 2nd Kyu,

Brown Belt 1st Kyu.

Then you get to your first Black Belt. This does not make you a teacher, although some Shodans teach classes. Some don't. (But even 1st Kyu Brown Belts must have experience leading classes before they go for their Shodan examination.) Being a Shodan basically means you are a serious student... one that the real teachers consider worth their time and effort. But there are years of more work ahead, if you want to get to the higher Dan Grade levels! Few people have the skill or the determination.

1st Dan Black Belt (Shodan),

2nd Dan Black Belt (Nidan),

3rd Dan Black Belt (Sandan),

4th Dan Black Belt (Yondan) a Senior Teacher level,

5th Dan Black Belt (Godan) what John Gay used to modestly call a "Small Master".

6th Dan Black Belt (Rokudan) a Master,

7th Dan Black Belt (Sichidan) = "Shihan" or Master-Teacher Level.

8th Dan Black Belt - someone with "complete" Mastery of the art.

Ninth Dan and Tenth Dan Grades are awarded by martial arts committes, and are rather like knighthoods... they are awarded in recognition for what the person has done to promote martial arts. It doesn't signify skills higher than 8th Dan, since that is already "Mastery" of the skill set.

It takes a lifetime of hard work and dedication to reach the top. Maybe one pupil in a million is suitable.

NO real martial art offers a really quick path. It is hard work... and it takes years of work.

David