The Meaning of the Symbol

I was recently asked about what the symbol for the Academy represents.  I can’t say that it has any meaning, in and of itself.  Symbols only have the meanings we attach to them, and as this is an original design, what it represents is being formed and created as we speak.  It’s my aim for the symbol to become associated with crisp technique, sportsmanship, honor, and reserved martial prowess.

I modeled the symbol after traditional Japanese family crests, or kamon.  The Kashiwa and Katabame crests, found here, were inspirations, as well as the Tokugawa Aoi.  It needed to be modern, symmetrical, and timeless.

The three circles in the center of the symbol represent the trinity of our consciousness: body, mind, spirit.  The triangle is commonly used in Jiu-Jitsu, but I wanted the triangle implied with the eye, rather than an overt polygon.  The outer white ring represents the external applications and benefits of the arts, while the smaller ring is the inner realm.  The heavy use of circles represents the circularity of movement on the mat.  And balance between positive and negative space reminds the student to be open and let life live through them; after all, we’re all more space than solid.

I’m very pleased with the way the crest emerged.  Special thanks to Julie Wilde for the collaborative design.