In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a
graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often
marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly
the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of
competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade
though frequently not the highest grade or the "expert" of
public perception.[1] It is also a relatively recent
invention, dating from the late 19th century, rather than an
ancient custom.[2]
