Imperial Dragon Logo

By By Mr. John Casuccio
E Dan

March 2003

The Imperial Dragon logo is very symbolic in respecting the heritage of the many people who have dedicated their lives to passing down the art from one generation to the next.

In the front of the logo is the Chinese Dragon. I chose this symbol because unlike the negative energies associated with Western Dragons, the Chinese Dragons are beautiful, friendly and wise. They symbolize power, excellence, boldness, heroism, perseverance, nobility and divinity. A dragon overcomes obstacles until success is his. He is energetic, decisive, optimistic, intelligent and ambitious. I hold these characteristics in high regard and want to promote them in my school and its teachings.

The Dragon is emerging from the river flowing down from the three mountains in the distance. These three mountains and river are symbolic of my instructor’s school logo. According to Master Homschek:

“The prominent feature of the River Valley logo is the three mountains which represent the three studios where I have trained: Shin Karate, Appalachia Tang Soo Do, and the Penn State Martial Arts Group. Each mountain is divided in half by a curved line running from the mountain's peak to its base. This division represents the universal concept of opposing but complimentary forces. The Um/Yang of Oriental philosophy. The river that runs between the mountains also follows the same curved lines as the mountains, thus establishing the harmony between the mountains and the river. The river itself is the final and key element of the logo. In nature, the melting ice and snow in the upper elevations of the mountains rolls down the mountain, ultimately contributing to make the river greater. As the water comes down the mountain it takes small pieces of the mountain with it. This sediment will be carried far down stream from the mountain and settle in the flood plains of the river valley. The fertile soil of this flood plain will be used to grow the crops that will nurture the people. In the River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy logo, the river represents the knowledge taken from the mountains that will flow down to nurture the next and future generation of students”.

In closing, the connection between a teacher and student is very special in the martial arts. I have been fortunate to be part of the river of knowledge flowing down from four legendary instructors to me. For if it weren’t for the tireless efforts of the martial arts teachers who gave selflessly to preserve the martial way I would not have been exposed to all the positive things that martial arts has done in my life. It is in the martial spirit that I repay my debt of gratitude to my instructors by passing on the knowledge to others insuring that the art will never die in any one generation.

John Casuccio
Imperial Dragon Tang Soo Do Karate School
E Dan # 029056

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