(adapted from an article by Bohdi Sanders)
Martial Arts combines discipline, philosophy, and self-defense, and one important symbol in this lifestyle is the dragon. The dragon represents the warrior and the practice of Martial Arts, and it’s a powerful guide for students working toward self-mastery and Black Belt Excellence.
Inner Power
In Martial Arts, we learn to control our opponents, and we also need to learn to control ourselves. The dragon’s strength and resilience represents our untapped inner power, so we can use this fire burning inside to achieve greatness by training hard, always trying to be our best, and reaching our goals to fulfill our potential.
Balance and Flow
As Martial Artists, we work on building physical and mental balance so we can flow easily through different techniques and situations. Keeping balance and flow in self-defense is like the dragon using graceful, snakelike movements in combat. The dragon switches between stillness and movement, so we also need to stay centered to adapt to life’s ups and downs. From the dragon, we learn that true power comes from keeping our actions in harmony with the ever-changing rhythm of the universe.
Developing Wisdom
When we train in and live the Martial Arts lifestyle, we need wisdom to always make smart decisions. Like the dragon, known to be a wise and ancient creature, we need to seek knowledge from our instructors and past masters. We take in this wisdom to learn about self-defense, the human spirit, and how to deal effectively with others. As our wisdom grows, we learn to do more than fight; we learn to understand, feel for others, and get out of trouble whenever possible.
The Dragon’s Roar
The dragon’s roar is said to shake mountains and create fear in the heart of the enemy. In Martial Arts, the dragon’s roar represents courage, confidence, and standing firm when the time comes. The dragon’s roar has been around a long time, so today, Martial Artists need to use it to express themselves both in self-defense and in their actions and ideas. The dragon reminds us that how we carry ourselves and stand up for others can inspire those around us to do the same.
Guardian of Doing What’s Right
In history, dragons are often shown as guardians of treasures and important knowledge. In Martial Arts, the dragon guards the way of doing the right thing. It reminds us to stand up for honor, integrity, and being humble, so we can be strong protectors as well as good citizens. By protecting the way of doing what’s right, we represent what Martial Arts is all about, both inside and outside of the dojo.
Living Independently
Dragons live by their own wisdom and standards, so as true Martial Artists, we should live by our own code. No one can make the dragon follow different rules or have lower standards to go along with others. Martial Artists should also be true to their own standards, no matter how other people live or what they think. The symbol of the dragon in Martial Arts is more than just a story; it’s a living example of the basic ideas that show us how to grow our awareness and discover our true selves. As martial artists, we should remember that the dragon’s spirit lives inside us, waiting to be awakened and channeled through our training and daily lives.