Established Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-Do Badge!
Dear Nick
I think the emblem (badge) of Goju Ryu is partly that of the coat of arms of the Higoanna family (the outer circle and boundary structure) whilst the two interlocking three-sides (central) squares are a stylised expression of the Chinese yin-yang (taiji) symbol. There is also evidence that the inter-locking squares also represent the 'divine sky' and the 'broad earth' as described in the Classic of Change (Yijing) found in China. This symbolism all fits-in perfectly with a martial arts style which utilises 'hard' and 'soft' in both 'distinct' and yet 'integrative' fashion.
I think the emblem (badge) of Goju Ryu is partly that of the coat of arms of the Higoanna family (the outer circle and boundary structure) whilst the two interlocking three-sides (central) squares are a stylised expression of the Chinese yin-yang (taiji) symbol. There is also evidence that the inter-locking squares also represent the 'divine sky' and the 'broad earth' as described in the Classic of Change (Yijing) found in China. This symbolism all fits-in perfectly with a martial arts style which utilises 'hard' and 'soft' in both 'distinct' and yet 'integrative' fashion.
The 'Outer-Boundary' of the 'Received' Goju Ryu Badge Forms Part of the Coat of Arms of the Higaonna Family of Okinawa!
Although more research is needed, this could be the consequence of the people Okinawan having to 'hid' either their Chinese ethnic roots (as prior to the 16th century, Okinawa was considered a tributary state of China - and a place ethnic Chinese people were welcome to migrate to) or their support for Chinese culture from the Japanese authorities! Although the badge remained 'untouched', from 1936 Goju Ryu was forced to adopt the grading system of coloured belts formerly used only by the Judo style of Japanese fighting - abandoning the usual Chinese habit of exhibiting no obvious rank. I met someone years ago in Hereford who knew about this history and told me about it!
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