Obi meaning in Aikido

In Aikido, obi (pronounced oh-bee) is the Japanese word for belt.

It is the long fabric sash that you tie around your waist to hold your training uniform (keikogi) together.

Here is what you need to know about the obi in Aikido:

1. It Has Practical and Symbolic Meaning

• Practically: It keeps your jacket closed and supports your core during falls and throws.
• Symbolically: It represents your dedication and journey. As you train over the years, your belt changes color to reflect your progress.

2. The Belt Colors

Aikido schools generally divide ranks into white belts and black belts, though some schools use colored belts for children or lower adult ranks.

• Mudansha (White Belt): Beginners and intermediate students wear a white belt. It symbolizes a clean slate and a mind open to learning.
• Yudansha (Black Belt): Advanced practitioners wear a black belt. It signifies that you have mastered the basics and are now ready to truly understand the art.

3. Wearing the Hakama

When an Aikido student reaches a certain rank (often black belt, though some schools allow women or all students to wear it earlier), they wear wide-legged pleated pants called a hakama over their uniform.

When you wear a hakama, you still tie your obi underneath it. The obi provides the secure anchor that holds the hakama in place.

How to care for your obi: In martial arts tradition, you rarely wash your belt. Practitioners believe the belt holds the “spirit” and hard work of your training, so you let it air dry instead.