The Shuri-Ryu School Pine Tree Patch The Shuri-Ryu Pine Tree Patch stands for Strength, Endurance, and Longevity. The 6 points on each side of the pine tree stand for K-A-R-A-T-E. Knowledge-Attitude-Respect-Achievement-Training-Effort. The black circle, sun and tree on an evergreen background stands for the Dan or Black Belt standard amidst the multitude of people. The Mike Klier School of Karate Patch The school patch is filled with powerful symbols embracing the Shuri-Ryu philosophy as taught by Kyoshi Mike Klier. The school patch should be worn proudly and the Karate-ka (Karate student) should know what each symbol represents. The patch colors are black, red and white. The white represents purity of thought, word and deed, or thought and action. Red stands for the courage and enthusiasm of the Karate-ka. Black stands for the Dan, or Black Belt standards and the higher levels of Karate mastery and perfection. The circle represents the circle of humanity and the world we live in. It also signifies the very noticeable circular movements of the Shuri-Ryu style. The triangle symbolizes the 3 significant passages of life, which we all experience: birth, survival, and death. The infinity symbol indicates the eternal cycles of life and that all things ultimately return to their source. The Shuri fist at the center of the patch is a powerful symbol of strength, representing steadfastness when confronted with life’s problems and stubbornness in the face of adversity. The three Okinawan Symbols are the pictograms for Body, Mind and Spirit or Will, and reveal the path of strengthening the body, focusing and disciplining the mind and harnessing the spirit or will though intense Karate training, designed to create a unity within us leading to a very heightened state of awareness of both our self, and our surroundings. This is the essence of Karate. Through our school patch, we are seen and recognized by other schools and other styles of martial arts. Wear your school patch proudly, and know what each symbol means.