Columbus Tang Soo Do Academy | Teaching traditional martial arts in the Pataskala area

CTSDA Logo

Introduction

The CTSDA logo was created by Thomas Marker from 2002-2005 and has been slowly refined and improved. The design of the logo was inspired by three concepts: the 8 directions, the lotus blossom, and the bagua.

Complexity in Simplicity

Each part of the logo is itself simple: 9 circles of identical size. However, when these elements combine, they create several patterns that both come to the surface and hide beneath. This is analogous to Tang Soo Do, where we take simple techniques and combine them into elaborate combinations and hyung. In hyung we have applications that are apparent and easily seen; while other more sophisticated applications hide beneath the surface, waiting for the practitioner to unfold.

The Use of Color

The colored sections of our logo are actually white when printed onto the dobohk. As the student progresses in Tang Soo Do, they have the opportunity to paint in their new color, from Orange belt to Master. This is a literal personal touch to the student’s uniform which also reflects their own personal touch on the art. The tradition of adding a “personal touch” stems from CTSDA’s roots in Buckeye Tang Soo Do, where the student paints in the Um/Yang section of their logo upon promotion to 8th Gup.

The observant viewer will notice that there is also a space for the Master Belt. Training in Tang Soo Do goes far beyond reaching Black Belt, and this visual representation reminds us that everyone in CTSDA, instructors included, are striving for improvement.

Attention to Detail

In order for the logo to be properly drawn, one must draw identically sized circles evenly spaced in order to properly intersect in an aesthetically appealing manner. Making a mistake with one circle will spread beyond the circle and affect the entire composition and its harmony. There are such errors in this logo, though they have been kept as small as possible. These are marks of imperfection representing our need to constantly refine and perfect even the simplest of tasks in order to create greater works. It also represents how a ripple amongst the green belt circle may cause disharmony within all the other circles.

Influences

All of the circles in the pattern converge into the center, which is where we find the CTSDA student. In doing so, they create small patterns that radiate from the center. This is representative of how many people have influenced CTSDA and in doing so, have created a unique perspective. The main 4 directions (up, down left, right) represent the 4 points in the CTSDA lineage: Shin Karate (Grandmaster Shin, Jae Chul), Appalachia Tang Soo Do (Master Michael White), Buckeye Tang Soo Do (Master Simone Genna) as well as the special influence of River Valley Tang Soo Do (Master Scott Homschek) who had a key role in the development of Buckeye Tang Soo Do and in effect, the CTSDA instructors. The secondary directions are nameless, but represent how our opinions and thoughts are shaped by influential instructors, training partners, life experiences, and even our own students who constantly keep us questioning and learning.

“The Wheel” Analogy

We can think of the entire logo as a wheel, and each section acting as a supporting spoke of the wheel; equally important in their own way, creating a balance in the art. As each color is equally important, all are the same size and an equal distance from the center. The rank of Master stands at the top of the pattern, but it also sits directly next to white belt, showing the circular journey and to remind us all that we are not that far away from the beginning student.

The 8 Directions

When we look at the logo,you see that the circles intertwine in ways that create subtle patterns.  One of the most apparent and intentional designs is the compass in the middle. This design was inspired by the compass rose seen in Western culture.

The compass points to the main 8 directions of movement, which coincide with the universal directions of movement and the bagua. By pure coincidence, this logo shares some common ground with an old logo from a school in my lineage (above.) These directions and corresponding circles represent planes of motion and the linear and circular movement that can occur within them.

The appeal of this design is the merging of Eastern and Western concepts for direction to create a unique perspective, much like how Tang Soo Do has transplanted it’s traditional Eastern roots here in the West and thrived.