Here is a cooler pic I made of our new graduation system, using gradient effects, and based on the actual visible dye colours:
And here is a brief description of each colour's meaning:
The colours of this system are based on the representative colours of the Orixás (Gods and Goddesses) from the Afro-Brazilian religion "Candomblé". Each colour represents an Orixá. What each Orixá is a God/Goddess of represents a point in the history of the African slaves in Brazil. And in turn, each of those points represents a stage in the Capoeirista's journey through their training.
Blue - Blue represents "Iemanjá", Goddess of the Sea, and represents the point in history when the Africans were taken against their will from their homes in Africa by the Portuguese colonists, across the sea to Brazil.
Blue/Brown - Transition stage from Blue to Brown.
Brown - Brown represents "Xangó", God of the Land and Sky, and represents the point in history when the Africans arrived in Brazil aboard slave ships, and were forced to work there as slaves.
Brown/Green - Transition stage from Brown to Green.
Green - Green represents "Oxóssi", God of the Forests and Hunting, and represents the point in history when the Africans escaped from slavery using Capoeira, and into the depths of the forests, where they formed backland refugee villages called "Quilombos".
Green/Yellow - Transition stage from Green to Yellow.
Yellow - Yellow represents "Oxúm", Goddess of Rivers and Waterfalls, and represents the passing of the "Law of the Womb", which stated that any newborns born in the Quilombos were free from slavery.
Yellow/Purple - Transition stage from Yellow to Purple.
Purple - Purple represents "Iansã" Goddess of Wind and Storms, and represents the passing of a new law which stated that refugees over the age of 60 were free from slavery.
Purple/Red - Transition stage from Purple to Red.
Red - Red represents "Ogúm", God of Wars, Battle and Conflict, and represents the point in history when the refugees made their way into the cities, but had trouble living there, because they were still discriminated against.
Red/White - Transition stage from Red to White.
White (Mestre's Corda) - White represents "Oxalá", God of the Consciousness, and represents freedom, and the passing of the "Golden Law", which stated that all the refugees were now free from slavery, and were now granted equal rights and priveledges.
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