There are a number of items that can be used to display karate belts. Most are a sort of rack that the belts fit into them. Check a martial arts supply company online and you will find pictures and examples. They are fairly easy to make, and are fairly inexpensive.
ABSOLUTELY!! It doesnt matter how old you are to join karate and earn belts. There was a woman in my karate class and she was 72 years old.....Karate is for anyone who is willing to learn disipline and respect!
They are black.
Belts states the level of your expertize in the sport. It also inspires you to work harder to win the next belt!
It will depend on the style of karate being taught at your YMCA. They are not the same everywhere. The instructor will be able to provide you the requirements for the various belts.
i got some from ebay.
green black and red
Yes of course
they have more or less belts
The belts and uniforms were adapted from those used in judo. Karate wanted to become a part of the Buddokan. Do do so, they needed to provide some more structure to the teaching methods, so they adopted the ranking.
Most black belts are made of silk. They last a lot longer then the cotton belts normally used for kyu levels and you will have the black belt for the rest of your life.
Honestly the best thing to do would be either to get a martial arts catalog (I prefer AWMA but Century would probably be easier to get) and order some from there or use Amazon. Using bath robes and cloth belts just looks dorky and unconvincing.