When Master Shimabuku was developing Isshinryu karate, he
had a dream that seemed to express in symbols what he was trying
to
accomplish with his system of karate. While interpretations of the
symbol may vary, the interpretations listed below are fairly
standard:
The Woman:
A sea goddess, half-serpent, named
"Mizu-Gami", symbolizing the quietness a karate
student should exhibit,
but having the strength of the serpent if needed.
Left Hand Open:
Sign of peace.
Right
Hand Clenched:
Represents strength if evil persists.
Dragon: The
dragon has forced himself above the troubles of
life and the world into the peace and quiet (symbolized by the
gray
night sky) that we all seek through the knowledge of karate. Sign of
good luck; that Isshinryu karate will prosper. Some
people
find
significant fact that Master Shimabuku's first name "Tatsuo" means
"DragonBoy".
Three Stars: May
represent virtues, growth, or aspects of
Isshinryu karate: physical, mental, spiritual; the three master under
whom Master Shimabuku studied; Shorin-ryu and Goju-ryu karate as
the
parents and Isshinryu as the offspring.
The Gray Background:
Represents calm and quiet nights--that
karate is to be used for defense only.
The
Writing: Spells "Isshinryu Karate"
Troubled Water:
Indicates a typhoon, danger that cannot be
seen; the troubles of life, to be mastered through the discipline
of
karate training.