Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, defined as is a martial art and combat sport based on ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, controlling one’s opponent, gaining a dominant position, and using a number of techniques to force them into submission via joint locks or chokeholds. It is also called the “gentle art”, which may be a bit confusing as you’re often left with bruises and soreness. However, a common teaching in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is that you either win or you learn. It’s been a consistent humbling theme over the years. At the time of this writing (November 2025), I am currently a Purple belt. The belt ranking system goes in this order (starting from white belt):
So how did it get its name? According to JiuJitsu Times:
The word Ju (or Jiu) denotes giving way. The underlying concept behind both judo and BJJ (and Aikido) is not opposing the force of the opponent…Thus we can see the idea behind that old saying about the old master defeating larger opponents “by using their own power against them.” It is not only the fiction of martial arts myth.
The second reason that BJJ may be referred to as a gentle art is its emphasis on submission over strikes. Using the strikes of boxing or Muay Thai to subdue an opponent will cause physical damage.
Jiu-jitsu allows the opponent the option to tap in submission and emerge from a fight relatively unharmed.
https://jiujitsutimes.com/the-gentle-art/