IKKO PATCH DESCRIPTIONS
The Shape: (top) of
the crest li like a roof which gives shelter to all who are under it.
(O) (sides
) ( ) are curved conversely because like the roof of a chinese
home, they send evil back to where it
came from, whenever it tries to
descend. (P)
(bottom) forms the shape of an ax - it represents the
executioner. In the event a member is
influenced by evil ideas and
thoughts contrary to our philosophy, of
the (IKKO) he/she is cut off never
to train with us again. (B)
(oval) Represents the OUTER RIM, a
boundary reference to adhere to , and a
reminder of the ultimate goal in
Kenpo; to elongate circles and round
corners (G)
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The Tiger:
(body) Represents the EARTHLY STRENGTH derived during the early
stages of learning. This is the stage
where the individual is more
impressed with his/her own physical
prowess. (O) The left paw of the Tiger is
pointing toward the Dragon (left hand is
symbolic of knowledge in our
salutation), while the right paw
supports the tiger (symbolic of base strength
formation - illustrated by the right
hand in our salutation). The left paw is also
pointing directly at Egypt, the perceived
origin of the martial arts. The tail
bridges the gap from Hawaii to
California, symbolic of the journey Mr. Parker
traveled to bring us the Art. (2nd
Brn)
The Circle:
Is symbolic of several things, it depicts LIFE itself, as a continuous
cycle,
where there is no
beginning or end. So is it with the art of Kenpo, it too
is a CYCLE OF
UNENDING AND PERPETUAL MOVEMENT OR
MOTION.
Techniques follow a cycle, movements are part of a cycle.
Physical prowess,
humility, and self restraint are no more than
components of a
progressive learning cycle. (O) (1) All
moves EVOLVE
FROM A CIRCLE whether they are
defensive or offensive. (2) The circle
represents the BOND OF FRIENDSHIP
that continuously exists amount
IKKO members. (P)
Represents the GLOBE where Kenpo is now practiced
around the world. (B)
The Oriental
Writing: Is a reminder of the ORIGINATORS
of our art, the Chinese.
It is out of respect to
them, yet not that we serve them. The lettering to the
left means KENPO
KARATE, LAW OF THE FIST AND THE EMPTY
HAND.
(O) The lettering to the right means:
SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON
AND TIGER - "Mastery comes when
the Tiger is seen but the Dragon
prevails" a constant reminder that we
want to attain the Spiritual level
and that the physical level is only a
stepping stone, or vehicle, that we use
to reach the higher or spiritual level.
(P)
The "K":
Stands for KENPO, the art that we practice.
(O) Stands for KNOWLEDGE
which grows constantly as we mature in
our study of Kenpo. It also stands
for Mr. Parker's middle name, KEALOHA
(the Beloved One). (G)
Reminds us
to understand the KEYS to our Art,
tho few in number, can open a multitude of
doors to motion and self defense. To
spread KINDNESS instead hatred and
KILL only as a last resort. (2nd
Brn)
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The Colors:
The WHITE background is significant of the many beginners that form
the base of the art. The
YELLOW or ORANGE represents the first two
steps (BELTS) in
the initial level of proficiency, the "primitive stage", the
dangerous stage of
learning. It is a time when a student is more impressed
with the physical, and,
like an adolescent, often times thinks that he/she
knows all the
answers. (O) The POLES which form
the central axis
around which the earth revolves are
GRAY, symbolic of the brain which is
the central organ that controls out bodies
and has always been referred to as
gray matter. The Hawaiian Islands are
also GRAY as a tribute to the
homeland of the Originator of our system.
(P) Represent proficiency,
achievement, and authority. BROWN,
the color of the Tigers eyes,
represents the advanced students though
not great in number. Also at this
level the student becomes more observant.
His eyes, like those of the Tiger,
are keen, ever so watchful and critical,
always looking up to the higher
levels of proficiency, striving for
perfection, preparing for the day he bears
the label of an expert. This level of
expert proficiency is represented by the
color BLACK. (B)
RED is that of professorship over and above the black but yet,
as
indicated by the colors of the Dragon, there are still traces of WHITE in the
Dragons
eyeball, YELLOW on the Dragon's fins, BROWN in the iris of the
eyeball and BLACK
in the pupils of the eyeball. This is to remind even the
professor that he too should
always be so humble and be able to go back to any
level, whatever it might be, perform
the things that he expects of others at these
levels to as never to demand too much of
his students. (G)
In the oval, the 3
stages of proficiency ae represented by
WHITE for the beginner, BROWN for the
advanced, and BLACK for expert, with RED
symbolic of Professorship.
PURPLE (pearl is the Royal color symbolic
of the magnificent and invaluable
treasure of our Art. BLUE (water)
symbolizes (1) ability to remain calm under
pressure, (2) the fluid (liquid) state of
the art, that state which movements are
flowing and becoming more coordinated and
harmonious. GREEN (land mass)
a
reminder to never stop learning and growing, we can never learn all there is to
know or stop growing in wisdom. (3rd
Brn)
The Dots:
Represents WHITE & BLACK DOT FOCUS. The
WHITE DOT on a black
background is symbolic of
limited awareness (attention is ONLY focused
on the "white dot") while
unaware of other aspects that may exist (black).
The BLACK DOT on a
white background is symbolic of expanded
awareness (attention is
focused on the black dot to insure effectiveness)
however, attention is also
taken into consideration to other important
circumstances that
could be prevalent (white) (P) Form
opposites or Yin &
Yang. (2nd Brn)
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The Dragon:
(body) Represents SPIRITUAL STRENGTH (courage and confidence)
which comes with
seasoning. This mental attitude is attained during the
individual's later years
of training. It is placed above earthly strength
(tiger) as indicated and
observed on the patch, since the individual at this
stage has learned to
develop humility and self restraint. (B)
The three
individual (fins) represents the three (3)
divisions of the art, they are;
(BASICS, SELF DEFENSE, SPARRING).
The first fin to the right of the
dragon's head has three individual points,
which represent (1) three points
of view (YOURS, YOUR OPPONENTS, AND
THAT OF THE
BYSTANDER), (2) The three states
of motion (SOLID, LIQUID, & GAS), (3)
The
three stages of comprehension (TO KNOW OF, TO KNOW, & TO
UNDERSTAND).
The second fin to the left of the dragon's head has three
individual points, which
represent (1) Three phases of techniques: (IDEAL,
WHAT IF, and FORMULATION),
(2) The three stages of learning
(PRIMITIVE,
MECHANICAL and SPONTANEOUS),
(3) Three elements
involved in becoming
a true instructor: (TEACHER, COACH and
TRAINER),
The third fin near the
tail has three individual points which represent (1)
The
three elements of speed
(PERCEPTUAL, MENTAL and PHYSICAL), (2) Three
key
words (PRINCIPLE, CONCEPT
and THEORY), The three "U's':
(USEFUL,
UN USEFUL, and USELESS).
The three fins combined number of
points (9) reminds
us of the NINE PLANES
found in the universal pattern. (G)
(RIGHT FOOT) the 4 white claws represent
(1) force engagement, when
executing a block or strike, physical
contact can occur; {1} when force meets
force, {2} when force goes with force,
,{3} when force meets a neutral force, {4}
when a neutral force meets a neutral
force. (2) The 4 ZONES OF
PROTECTION (height, width, depth, &
obscure). (LEFT FOOT) the 5 claws
symbolize the aspects of the analytical
study of motion (DIRECTION,
METHOD, PATH, DIMENSION, & ANGLE). The
(MOUTH) is closed as a
reminder to us, use wisdom, think before
speaking and to remain humble at all
times. The five fins of the tail
depict the SENSES {SIGHT, SOUND, TOUCH,
SMELL, AND TASTE} each can be valuable in
Self Defense. (3rd Brn)
The left
paw of the Dragon is placed in Northern
China (Shaolin Temple), symbolic of
the intermediate stage of development of
the martial arts. (2nd Brn)
The Oval:
With its dividing lines, forms the BASE from which our alphabet stem.
(B)
The Arrows:
Are our DIRECTIONAL KEYS, clockwise, counter clockwise, forward,
reverse, as well as
opposites. (B)
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The Pearl:
Symbolic of ENDLESS WISDOM which can always be increased. (B)
The Dividing
Lines: In the OVAL represent, (1) the
original 18 hand movements -
directions in
which the hands can travel (2) form the
pattern in which feet too
can travel (3) They
are the angles from which an opponent or
you can attack or
defend; explanation of
the Universal Pattern
will clarify this. (G) Also represent
the MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS of our art
(MINUS SIGN "-", PLUS SIGN
"+", MULTIPLICATION SIGN "x", valuable
reference points to enhance our
study and development. (3rd
Brn) In the globe, form the latitudes & longitudes
which map our planet, likewise, the Art
of American Kenpo has an architecture
to map out its various areas of
importance, design, study etc. (2nd
Brn)
The Belt:
A tribute to the Founder and Sr. Grand Master of American Kenpo. (3rd
Brn)
The "L":
Stands of LOGIC, the foundation of our art. In logic we have a basis to analyze
so
as to determine truth and reality.
(3rd Brn)
The Triangle:
Is (1) an icon for the GEOMETRIC SHAPES utilized in Kenpo (CIRCLE,
SQUARE, TRIANGLE, OVAL,
ETC.). These are valuable points of reference.
(2) A reminder to
continually develop your 3 areas of growth BODY, MIND, &
SPIRIT. (3rd
Brn)
The Flame:
Is one of continuous friendship and brotherhood which, if kindled by all
martial arts systems, will
grow with brilliance each year. It's beauty can be
paralleled with the Art of
Kenpo (GRACEFUL and USEFUL YET DEADLY
WHEN TOUCHED). Also
has religious meanings. (3rd Brn)
The Words:
KENPO KARATE have 8 different letters which spell: kenpo art. (2nd
Brn)
Secret Meanings:
