| Chapel, we use the word "kyu" separate from the numbers, so it is something of a rank, with the lower the number, the better you are.
Aside from bow and the number nine, kyu also means "ball" or "globe", and my wife wonders if it might be sphere, which contracts as you gain ability.
As a side note on this topic, there is a story about the origin of the belt system. In the beginning, there was no real system. All a student started with was his gi (uniform for those who didn't know). Of course, the gi included a belt. Everything started white. As the student learned, his gi would fall apart and he would replace it. The belt, however, was sturdier, and would survive such treatment. But continuous use built up dirt in the fabric, until the belt eventually turned black (or dark grey). In this way, one could judge the capabilities of a student by how used his belt looked.
Lastly, I would like to add that traditionally, there is one last belt in karate; white. Once you have completed everything, and have become a complete master, you are entitled to wear a white belt. I believe that this is linked to Buddhism, in which to become truly enlightened, you have to forget everything, and become as a child. |