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The history of this symbol begins at the center with the Cherry Blossom and a Chinese Character in it's center. It was said that a Samurai's life is similar to that of a Cherry Blossom very beautiful but too short lived! Therefore the Cherry Blossom was a symbol of the Samurai. The Chinese character in the center of the Cherry Blossom means Yawara in Japanese ( Harmony, an earlier term for Jujutsu).These two symbols are the symbols of the school which I trained at in Japan, The All Japan Chinese Kempo and Daiwado Japanese War Art Institute.
The leaves which surround the Cherry Blossom are the leaves of the Live Oak. The Live Oak is known for its strength and flexibility as well as its longevity. The reason for this is because out of all the trees in the forest, the Live Oak out grows and lives longer than most trees in the forest. Therefore the warriors, knights and others wanted to associate themselves with the tree. The leaves are also formed to make a Ying - Yang symbol.
The Live Oak ( Quercus virginiana) is the state tree of Ga. I want all students to wear this symbol with pride and let it be a reminder of all the things it symbolizes.