
Cordas
A capoeirista’s corda signifies far more than just technical skill. It reflects their entire journey — their dedication to capoeira traditions, immersion in Brazilian culture, and active role within the community.
Each year, the Centro Cultural Arte Capoeira family gathers for the Batizado, a special event where new members are formally welcomed and initiated. It is also an opportunity for existing members to demonstrate their progress and, when ready, advance to the next corda.
Explore the meaning of each corda below, and be sure to visit our Family Tree to learn more about the current rankings of our senior members.
Students
White
These are the colors of the beginner. The white corda is actually a corda still completely without color (Port. "crua").

Yellow
The yellow stands for gold, the value of a new student and what can develop from it.

Orange
The orange corda represents the sun and symbolizes the awakening of consciousness.

Yellow and White
Transition

Orange and Yellow
Transition

Blue and Orange
Monitor / Monitora
Transition

Graduados
Blue
Graduado / Graduada
The blue symbolizes the ocean and the realization of how immense the road ahead is.

Green
Instrutor / Instrutora
Green is the color of the forest, the lungs of the earth. At this level, the student concentrates on the growth of the group and consolidates his skills.

Purple
Professor / Professora
This is the reflection of continuity in capoeira. At this stage, the capoeirista strives to overcome physical, emotional and spiritual pain in the search for the knowledge of Capoeira, carrying the philosophy of the group.

Green and Blue
Transition

Purple and Green
Transition

Brown and Purple
Transition

Contramestres e Mestres
Brown
Contramestre / Contramestra
This color represents our style, the "chameleon", which only changes to maintain its essence. On this basis, the future Contramestres and Mestres emerge.

Red
Mestre / Mestra
Blood: capoeira is part of the capoerista as a whole. All aspects of their life is intertwined with capoeira in such a way that we cannot distinguish one from the other.

Red and Brown
Transition
