Members of the Kondo No Shokai are entitled to wear our patch and encouraged to display it in their dojo.

Shapes - Traditionally, circles represent endlessness. The martial tradition expressed through the karate of Okinawa should not end. The octagon represents the contributions of Daruma (Dharma), Taishi an Indian Buddhist monk who brought the eightfold-path of Buddhism, tea culture, Zen (Ch'an) and a form of chuan fa (a precursor to karate) to China's Shaolin (Pine Forest) Monastery. He stressed the need to overcome adversity.

The pine tree symbolizes all schools of karate that recognize the Chinese and Okinawan ancestry of their art.

The equilateral triangle represents the influence of the Trias family and the goal of equal amounts of power, speed and form.

Three symbolic hand positions (mudra) represent the ethics of karate practitioners:

1. At the left of the pine tree are two open hands (kaishu) meaning, "I come bearing no weapons"

2. Above the pine tree is a right fist covered by a left-hand (hoken) meaning, "Karate is my secret"

3. At the right of the pine tree are two hands in the praying position (kigan) meaning, "God guide me in my use of karate."

Colors - Green symbolizes nature, youth, and renewal of life. Golden yellow signifies the color of the Sun, a source of energy and prosperity. Red represents health, courage and action. Blue denotes the vastness of martial arts. Copper reminds us that all people of good character may study karate Black is associated with fullness of life, knowledge and finally, wisdom.

Words - According to R. A. Trias' Karate is My Life, Kondo No Shokai "... means New Pine Tree Society." As such, membership in the Kondo No Shokai is open to any karate style members whose tradition includes reference to the pine tree symbol.