The Parker 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, symbolising 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
The tiger represents earthly strengths derived during the early
stages of learning. This is the stage where the individual is
impressed with his own physical prowess.
The Dragon
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 on the patch since
the individual at this stage has learned to develop humility and
self-restraint.
The Circle
The Circle 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 Dividing Lines
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 Oriental Writing
The Oriental writing 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 'K'
The 'K' at the bottom of the patch simply 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
The circle is grey which symbolizes the brain. The other colors represent
proficiency, achievement and authority.
The Tiger
The Brown in the tigers eye 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.
The Dragon
The red of the Dragon represents professorship over and above the black
belts. While predominately red, the dragon includes 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.