| The two most common martial arts practiced in | | | | other under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. |
| North America are karate and tae kwon do. Many | | | | Many tae kwon do schools have added a black |
| wonder what the difference between these two | | | | lining to their white uniforms for black belt levels. |
| martial arts is. This is especially the case for those | | | | A V-neck top is often seen in schools affiliated |
| who are just starting to look around for a martial | | | | with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. There |
| arts studio. After all, most practitioners in both | | | | are also older Korean styles including tang soo do |
| karate and tae kwon do seem to wear the same | | | | and moo duk kwan. Some of the more |
| type of white gi uniforms with various colored | | | | Americanized karate and tae kwon do schools |
| belts. | | | | also use uniforms with other colors such as red, |
| Modern traditional karate was developed in the | | | | black and blue in addition to the traditional white. |
| islands of Okinawa in Japan after some influences | | | | It can be generalized that in karate, one would |
| from Chinese martial arts. There are actually | | | | use their arms or hands for 60% of the time for |
| different styles of karate but they are all | | | | strikes or blocks while the use of legs for kicking |
| commonly considered as Japanese martial arts | | | | will be about 40%. This breakdown is seen in the |
| today. The colored belt system was developed to | | | | many forms or katas of karate which are set |
| show the various ranks of karate practitioners | | | | routines which simulate fighting against imaginary |
| with white depicting novices and black belts (with | | | | opponents using martial arts techniques. The |
| various degrees) representing instructor levels and | | | | forms from tae kwon do would have the |
| higher. There is a whole range of other different | | | | opposite percentage breakdown with 40% hands |
| colors in between. Modern tae kwon do was | | | | and 60% legs. In tae kwon do, there is also more |
| developed in Korea after much influence from | | | | emphasis on higher kicks to the head level than in |
| Japanese karate during the occupation by Japan. | | | | karate. Tae kwon do practitioners also utilize |
| Indeed, tae kwon do is sometimes referred to as | | | | more jumping or flying kicks where one is |
| Korean karate. The Koreans adopted similar white | | | | airborne while executing kicking techniques. The |
| uniforms along with a colored belt ranking system | | | | tae kwon do forms or patterns are generally a bit |
| for tae kwon do. Today, there are two main | | | | shorter and less complex than the karate forms. |
| styles of tae kwon do, one under the | | | | Some tae kwon do schools have been known to |
| International Tae Kwon Do Federation and the | | | | use the odd karate form in its curriculum as well. |