Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) didn't appear overnight. It's the result of travel, encounters, families, rivalries, technical innovation, and millions of hours on the mat.
And although today it is one of the most practiced combat sports in the world, its roots remain one of the most fascinating stories in the martial arts world.

In this article you will discover how BJJ really came to be, beyond the myths, and what each belt represents, not only technically, but also mentally and emotionally.

1. The true story of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: from Japan to Rio

The journey that changed everything: Mitsuyo Maeda, the "Count Koma"

At the beginning of the 20th century, a Japanese martial artist named Mitsuyo Maeda —an expert in Judo and a former practitioner of traditional Jiu Jitsu— embarked on a journey around the world to demonstrate the effectiveness of his art.
He passed through the United States, England, Spain, Cuba and finally arrived in… Brazil, in 1914 .

There he was taken in by the family of Gastão Gracie , a politician and influential businessman in Belém do Pará. In gratitude, Maeda agreed to teach his art to one of his sons, Carlos Gracie .

And this is where it all begins.

Carlos Gracie and the beginning of a different philosophy

Carlos, fascinated by Maeda's technical ability, trained with him and then taught his brothers, especially Hélio Gracie , who, due to his slimmer build, developed ways of adapting the art to his body.

That adaptation was not a simple adjustment.
It was a revolution.

• More levers
• More efficiency
• More technique on strength
• More defense from lower positions

And thus the essence of modern BJJ was born.

But… the Gracies weren't the only ones

Although many official histories focus on the Gracie family, there were OTHER key pioneers.

The Fadda school

Led by Oswaldo Fadda , who came from a more traditional Japanese background.
They trained humble people, rural neighborhoods, and fighters without access to the gyms of the Rio elite.

In 1955, the Fadda team beat the Gracie team in a historic competition.
But they were made invisible in the media for years.

Today, the community recognizes both branches:
Gracie + Fadda = Modern BJJ.

From the Brazilian mat to the world: UFC 1

In 1993, BJJ definitively came into the spotlight when Royce Gracie won UFC 1 , defeating bigger and stronger opponents using only grappling.
The world was in shock.

From there, academies began to open all over the planet.
What began in Belém do Pará reached millions of people and changed martial arts forever.

2. What does each belt in BJJ really represent?

(It's not just technique: it's mindset, resilience, and emotional maturity)

BJJ belts are not just colors.
These are psychological, physical, and philosophical stages.
Each belt marks a phase of the journey, a type of internal struggle, and personal growth.

Next, I'll explain how the community sees it, not just the "official" view.

White Belt — The beginning of chaos

The white belt knows nothing… and that's precisely why he knows EVERYTHING.
It represents an open mind, initial humility, and a willingness to learn without filters.

The white one lives:

• Frustration
• Technical disorder
• Strong emotions
• Uncertainty

But he also experiences the discovery of art.
Here you learn the most important thing: survival .

Blue Belt — The “I know how to defend myself” stage

When you get the blue, you stop being a tourist.
Here you build your real foundation.

You learn:

• Guards
• Departures
• Initial strategies
• Control from above and below

But an enemy appears: impatience .
Many students drop out here because the journey becomes longer and less "heroic".

Purple Belt — The Identity

Purple is the “technical artisan”.
Start developing your own style:

• Pin?
• Guard player?
• Explosive fighter?

Work with combinations, sequences, and master transitions.
And above all, start teaching.
Responsibility is cultivated here.

Brown Belt — Mastery in Construction

Knowing is no longer enough.
It needs polishing .

Browns are dangerous, precise, and strategic.
They master the tempo, anticipate movements, and manage energy like experts.

It is the prelude to the black belt, where you learn to correct almost invisible details.

Black Belt — The true beginning

The irony of BJJ:
The black belt is NOT the end. It's the real beginning.

It represents:

• Mental maturity
• Emotional control
• Technical domain
• Responsibility within academia

You know art, but you also reinterpret it.
You are both student and teacher.

And then come many other stages: coral, red…
But these are infinite paths that are only built by those who live Jiu Jitsu as part of their entire life.

An art with history, meaning, and purpose

BJJ is not just a sport.
It is a culture, a philosophy, and a way of understanding the body and mind.

Knowing where each belt comes from and understanding what it means connects you to something bigger than yourself:
a lineage, a history, and a global community.

If you already train, you now understand your path better.
And if you haven't started yet... this is a great time to step onto the tatami and write your own story.

Train with history. Train smart. Train safely.

The great masters said that a smart fighter trains to last for years , not weeks.
Therefore, if you want to progress on your path without injuries, remember to take care of your joints and your body.

At Tenace we design specific protective gear for grapplers:

• Reinforced knee pads for intense transitions
• Ear muffs to prevent cauliflower ear
• Ergonomic elbow pads
• Durable rashguards
• High-performance shorts

👉 Discover the full collection here: tenacesports.com

Did you enjoy this article?
Do you want me to write one about the pioneers of BJJ or about how the modern guard was created?

Let me know.