Complete Symbolic Breakdown
The Tatsu Te Ryū Karate-Dō crest is intentionally composed of three primary colors. Together, they visually proclaim the message of the Gospel, the story of mankind's fall, Christ's sacrifice, and the hope of redemption.
Black represents the condition of fallen humanity. It symbolizes sin, spiritual darkness, brokenness, and a world separated from God.
Red represents the precious blood of Jesus Christ, willingly shed upon the Cross to pay the price for our sins and reconcile mankind to God.
White represents the victory of Christ and the promise of redemption. It symbolizes purity, holiness, forgiveness, and the transforming light of Christ that washes away sin and makes all things new.
Together, these colors present the Gospel in its simplest form: from the darkness of sin, through the redeeming blood of Christ, into the cleansing light of His salvation. They remind us that our hope is not found in ourselves, but in the grace of God revealed through Jesus Christ.
The first thing the eye encounters is the Octogan Border, which frames the entire emblem.
Its purpose is twofold:
** It symbolizes wisdom and discernment before action, we must first stop and think, before we react.
** It reminds every practitioner that physical strength must always be governed by godly character.
The Eight Sides intentionally correspond with Christ's Eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–10):
** Humility / Comfort / Meekness / Righteousness
** Mercy / Purity / Peacemaking / Faithfulness During Persecution
The Golden Coloring
Throughout Scripture, gold has long symbolized that which is precious, pure, and of everlasting value. Within the Tatsu Te Ryū Karate-Dō crest, however, it does not represent earthly wealth or material riches. Instead, it reminds us of the greatest treasures ever bestowed upon mankind:
** God's Grace / The Gift of Salvation / Our Eternal Relationship with Jesus Christ
At the very center and deliberately the largest object, is the Cross.
Nothing in the crest competes with it.
The Cross stands empty because Christ is no longer upon it. His sacrifice is complete, His victory is won, and His resurrection gives us hope, purpose, and the strength to move onward.
This establishes a visual hierarchy:
Everything begins with Christ.
Everything returns to Christ.
The Cross represents:
** Salvation / Divine Authority / Christ's Kingship / Victory Over Death
** The Cross stands empty because Christ is no longer upon it. His sacrifice is complete, His victory is won, and His resurrection gives us hope, purpose, and the strength to move onward.
Resting over the heart of the Cross is the Star of Bethlehem, the central visual focus of the crest. It serves as a reminder that Christ is both the promised Messiah and the Light of the World, guiding all who seek Him with faith.
It symbolizes:
** Christ's Birth / God's Guidance / The Light of the World
Its eight primary points represent the Eight Tenets of the TTRKD Code:
** Respect / Loyalty / Wisdom / Honor
** Courage / Compassion / Forgiveness / Discipline
Just as the original Star guided the Magi, this Star reminds every student that:
"The wise still seek Him."
Etched into the base of the Cross appears: 以 降 meaning: "Onward."
Its placement at the foot of the Cross is intentional, declaring that perseverance, courage, and forward progress must always be rooted in Christ. Every step taken in faith begins beneath the Cross and moves forward under His guidance.
For Tatsu Te Ryū Karate-Dō, this single word carries a deeply personal and enduring legacy inherited from the founder's grandparents. It draws inspiration from his grandmother's most favorite hymn: Onward Christian Soldiers, and his grandfather's company, Onward North, both of which embodied lives marked by faith, integrity, perseverance, and faithful service.
Adopted as an enduring charge of the ryūha, "Onward" has become more than a motto. It calls every practitioner to press forward beyond weakness, fear, hardship, and adversity with unwavering faith, disciplined character, and steadfast purpose. It is a reminder that growth never ceases, that obstacles are overcome through Christ, and that every generation bears the responsibility to preserve the standards, protect the lineage, and faithfully carry the mission of TTRKD into the future.
Immediately behind the Cross rests the large crimson brushstroke circle. Its bold, imperfect form evokes the image of the traditional Japanese Ensō (円相), a symbol historically associated with wholeness, continuity, and the lifelong journey toward growth.
While we acknowledge its cultural heritage, TTRKD intentionally redefines its meaning through the lens of the Christian faith. Within our crest, the crimson circle no longer represents Zen enlightenment. Instead, it proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its deep crimson color symbolizes the precious blood of Christ, willingly poured out upon the Cross for the redemption of mankind. The rough, expressive brushstrokes reflect the completeness of His sacrifice, not polished or ornamental, but the costly outpouring of divine love for a fallen world.
Though visually circular, its open form reminds us that God's grace cannot be contained or measured. His mercy has no beginning and no end, continually calling us to Himself. It also reflects the lifelong journey of discipleship. As martial artists and followers of Christ, we recognize that growth is never complete. We continually strive to strengthen our faith, refine our character, and improve our skill, knowing that perfection belongs to God alone.
Universally recognized as symbols of the Holy Spirit, peace, purity, and God's abiding presence, for TTRKD, these have multiple layers of meaning.
Each dove represents one of the gospels that proclaim Christ:
Matthew / Mark / Luke / John
They also provide illustration for the For Key Goals of TTRKD:
Self-Discipline / Self-Confidence / Self-Defense / Self-Control
The two upper doves fly inward, directing our attention toward the Cross at the center of the crest. They remind us that every believer is called to come to Christ, who is the source of salvation, truth, and eternal life.
The two lower doves fly outward, symbolizing the Great Commission. Having received God's grace, we are not called to keep it for ourselves, but to carry the Gospel into the world through our words, our actions, and our example.
Together, the four doves illustrate the complete life of a disciple:
Come to Christ. Be transformed by Christ. Go forth for Christ.
Standing before the Cross are two martial artists: One male and One female
They intentionally represent: Adam and Eve, the beginning of humanity. This also declares that God's calling belongs equally to men and women.
Notice something extremely important. Although their backs face the Cross...
they are not turning away from Christ. Instead, they stand in front of Him facing outward. Both figures stand in mirrored karate stances. This symbolizes balance. Rather than appearing aggressive,
they appear ready, prepared, alert, and defensive.
Their posture reflects one of the central teachings of Tatsu Te Ryū Karate-Dō:
Strength exists to protect not to dominate. This communicates trust. They know Who stands behind them; therefore their responsibility is to stand between evil and those entrusted to their care.
They symbolize:
** Courage / Protection / Vigilance / Servant Leadership / Shared Discipleship
Displayed within the crest are both the English name Tatsu Te Ryū Karate-Dō and its corresponding Japanese kanji. Together, they identify not only the name of our ryūha but also the philosophy upon which it was founded.
立つ手流 (Tatsu Te Ryū) may be understood as "The Style of the Rising Hand" or "The School of the Rising Fist." The name reflects our commitment to rise above adversity, stand firm in our faith, and use our hands in service, protection, and righteousness.
The accompanying characters 空手道 (Karate-Dō) translate as "The Way of the Empty Hand." When naming our system, several traditional suffixes were available, each carrying its own historical meaning. We intentionally chose Dō 道 "The Way" because its meaning resonates deeply with the words of Jesus Christ:
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
- John 14:6