Belt & Rank System
Colored belts made progress visible and helped the expanding Tracy school network organize a large curriculum.
The progression
A commonly recognized Tracy progression moves through Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue and Green before the Brown levels and Black Belt. Current training media and test material still use that broad structure.
Belt rank is a map
Rank should tell the student what has been studied and what remains to be learned. It is not a substitute for skill. A strong curriculum makes expectations clearer while leaving instructors room to correct the individual.
Historical caution
Requirements changed over time. This reconstruction therefore avoids presenting one modern list as if it were the exact requirement sheet used in every Tracy school during every decade.
Sources & editorial notes
These sources help document the historical reconstruction. Some are lineage-specific accounts and should be read as such.