The Crest Patch
The Shape
The top of the crest is like a roof which gives shelter to
all who come under it while the sides are curved conversely
like the roof of a Chinese home to send back evil to where
it came from. Look at the bottom of the crest and you will
notice the shape of an axe. This represents an executioner,
symbolizing that should a member shame the Kenpo style or
be influenced by evil ideas and thoughts contrary to the style's
philosophy, he will be cut off - never to co-exist with members
again.
The Tiger
Represents the earthly strength derived through the early
stages of learning. This is the stage where the individual
is more impressed with his own physical prowess.
The
Dragon
Represents spiritual strength which comes with seasoning.
This mental attitude is attained during the individual's latter
years of training. It is placed above earthly strength - as
seen on the patch - since the individual at this stage has
learned to develop humility and self-restraint.
The Circle
This is symbolic of several things. It depicts life itself;
a continuous cycle with no beginning or end just like the
art of Kenpo which is also a cycle of unending and perpetual
movement and motion. Techniques follow a cycle just as the
various movements. Physical prowess, humility and self-restraint
are no more than components of a progressive learning cycle.
The circle is the base from which our alphabet stems; all
moves evolve from a circle whether they are defensive or offensive.
The circle also represents the bond of friendship that should
continuously exist among association members.
The Oriental writing
This is a reminder of the originators of the art - the Chinese.
It offers respect to them but doesn't denote that we serve
them. The Chinese characters on the right say 'Law of the
Fist and Empty hand' while the writing on the left - 'Spirit
of the Dragon and the Tiger' - are a constant reminder that
we should strive to attain a spiritual level and that the
physical level is only a stepping Stone or vehicle to reach
a higher, spiritual level.
The Dividing Lines
In the circle they represent the original 18 hand movements
and directions in which the hands can travel. They are the
angles from which you or an opponent can attack or defend,
and they also form the pattern in which the feet can travel.
The 'K'
This stands for Kenpo.
The Colors
The white background is significant of the many beginners
who form the base of the art. The yellow or orange represents
the first level of proficiency - the mechanical, dangerous
stage of learning. This is a time when the student it more
impressed with the physical and thinks he knows all the answers.
The circle is gray symbolizing the brain, the brain of the
association - remember that the brain it often referred to
as gray matter'. The other colors represent proficiency, achievement
and authority. Brown - the color of the tiger's eyes - represent
the advanced students though not great in number. Also at
this level the student becomes more observant. His eyes, like
that of the tiger, are keen and ever so watchful and critical,
always looking up to the higher levels of proficiency; striving
for perfection and preparing for the day he bears the label
of 'expert'. This level of expert proficiency is represented
by the color black, while red is that of professorship over
and above black belt. But yet, as indicated by the colors
of the dragon, there are still traces white in the eyeball;
yellow or orange on his fins; brown in the iris of the eyeball
and black in the pupils. These colors are there to remind
even the 'professor' that he should always be humble and able
to return to any level. He should also be able to perform
the things that he expects others at various levels to do
and always be conscious of never demanding too much of his
students.
Placement
This patch is placed over the left brest.
IKKA
IKKA
Founded by the late Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker, the International
Kenpo Karate Association was established to help govern Kenpo
throughout the world. Mr. Parker, the undisputed, "Father
of American Kenpo," taught and inspired hundreds of thousands
of martial artists. Without out exception, almost every Kenpo
practitioner and Kenpo organization can trace their roots
back to the I.K.K.A. and Mr. Parker.
Placement
This patch is placed over the left shoulder/arm about 1.5
cm below the seem.
Universal Patch
Excerpt from Infinite
Insights into Kenpo Volume 4 - "The idea for the UNIVERSAL
PATTERN was conceived by the flick of a switch.
Because I was tired while viewing Karate techniques, instead
of changing the reels on my movie projector, I decided to
turn the reverse switch on instead. Studying myself
on film was most beneficial. It was an excellent educational
means to critique and improve
my moves. this useful tool also allowed me to become
more objective - to view myself through the eyes of an observer.
Watching my movements in reverse changed my entire perspective
of the Martial Arts. In fact, it fascinated me beyond my expectations.
I was instantly aware that the natural forward motion viewed
on the screen was only half of what motion really contains
- motion in reverse completed the other half. I there
upon discovered motion not only to be multi dimensional, but
multi directional as well. I was, therefore, determined
to design a pattern that would help me understand movement
more thoroughly. I knew I had to have a directional
key to movement - a design that would help aid students to
systematically understand the interrelationship of linear
and circular movement and the paths which they were to follow.
Since both are unavoidably used in combat, they should be
learned from a practical standpoint. Practicality, as
we discussed, borders between simplicity and complexity."
Placement
This patch is placed over the left shoulder/arm about 1.5
cm below the IKKA patch. Rotate the patch until a heart
pattern can been seen.