Three Spheres and Blades
Every association patch displays three open circular spheres and three blades of the Okinawan Tomoe symbol. The three spheres are a reference to mind, body, and spirit flowing together in harmony of motion. Man is three-fold dimensional created in the image of God. The spheres also include three inescapable truths - the existence of birth, life, and death. The three blades represent the continuous or constant motion of technique and the evolution of American Karate which is never-ending.
Three Circles: Outer, Inner, and Full Circle
Every AKANA patch has an outer and inner circle. The outer circle is temporary. The inner circle is forever. The outer circle represents the teachers who work hard to strive toward the inner circle by helping others gain knowledge. Reaching the inner circle is a privilege and honor, for it is where the blessings begin. The innermost circle represents the centuries-long chain of history and faces of the true spirited teachers and masters from Soken Matsumura, Choki Motobu, Tong Gee Hsiang, Robert A. Trias, Tom Crites, and Jerry Piddington, down to the present-day Sensei, for this is where the karateka lineage is stored and kept for all of time. The outer circle also represents external training with external power and energy. The inner circle also represents internal training with internal power and energy. A full circle symbolizes that most techniques are circular in motion. AKANA encourages inner communication among styles and systems fulfilling mutual growth and always returning back to the source, full circle. Keep a beginner's mind. Never think you know it all. What goes around will come around. You will reap what you sow! Give and you shall receive.
Three Stars on Left/Three Stars on Right
Every AKANA patch displays three stars on the left and three stars on the right for a total of six stars representing those who endured for the sake of others, who fought the hard fight like warriors in a new world and attained greatness, the ones who O'Shihan Piddington will never forget, members of the beginning and original AKANA fighting team - the Charlotte Warhawks: Ricky Smith, Randy Smith, Jimmy Horseley, Danny McCall, Keith Haflick, and trainer, Danny Wilson. The three stars on the left also stand for Grandmasters Robert Trias, John Pachivas, and Jerry Piddington, the original lineage and chartership of American Karate Academies. The three stars on the right also stand for Hanshi Danny McCall, Kyoshi Ricky Smith, and Kyoshi C.J. Mayo, the current Board of Directors and future lineage of American Karate Academies.
Three Colors
Red, white, and blue AKANA patches signify the colors of the American flag representing the freedom it stands for, enabling all karateka in this great country of ours, regardless of their cultural background and beliefs, to unselfishly give and share their martial art principles. Red, Gold, and Black AKANA patches signify the richness of our martial art heritage that represents a rooted and flourishing lineage of karate knowledge.
Maxim of O'Sensei Robert Trias - Karate knowledge is acquired through good health, spiritual and mental perfection, and enjoyment of life to its fullest with devotion to God, country, and fellow man. Karate knowledge shall never be given on the basis of physical performance alone, no matter how excellent the ability. Karate knowledge shall only be given to those whose moral character can thoroughly be trusted.
Five-Animal Kanji
All licensed teachers of AKANA wear a patch with the five-animal kanji representing the original Shaolin Five Animal strengths of karate – tiger, leopard, snake, crane, and dragon. Tiger - bone strength, Leopard - inner and outer strength, Snake - power of speed and deep breathing, Crane - spiritual strength, Dragon - body power and strength. The circle connecting the kanji of these animals represents the combination of these animal techniques flowing together capturing the physical, spiritual, and cultural aspects of the martial arts. Understanding the strengths of each of these animals is a necessary part of understanding the entire concept of the martial art system of self-defense. This kanji also represents the Five Animal Form created by O'Shihan Jerry Piddington, Jake Brown, and Ricky Smith.
Yin and Yang
All licensed teachers of AKANA wear a patch with the yin and yang symbol representing that every action has an opposite and equal reaction. This physical law is an important principle of Karatedo. Examples of yin and yang martial art principles are hard and soft, fast and slow, exhale and inhale, relaxation and tension, pause and move, up and down, in and out, backward and forward, left and right, defensive and offensive, high and low, external and internal, just to name a few. When these opposites work in harmony together, beautiful movements of power and speed are created. This is the art form of Karatedo. The yin and yang symbol also represents the Sun and Moon Form called, Hot like the Sun - Cool like the Moon, created by O'Shihan Jerry Piddington and Karate/Kata champion, Mike Stone.
Pine Tree
All Pinnacle Tomoe Holders wear a patch with the pine tree representing the Okinawan roots of our lineage of styles such as Shorei, Shorin, and Shuri. The pine tree is a symbol of longevity and endurance. The three roots represent mind, body, and spirit. The AKANA Board of Director's patch displays a red sun behind the pine tree. The circle of the sun represents the very innermost circle of Karate Masters who commit their life to preserving the history and generating the growth of AKANA.
