IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE

Problem and theoretical perspective: The aim of conducted research was to explain the symbolism of far eastern martial arts (FEMA) on FEMA organizations emblems. This issue has been approached from the perspective of humanist theory of martial arts.
Material and methods: Material for the study has been mainly the collections of leaders of two significant FEMA organizations. The following methods have been used: the analysis of the literature on the subject and the analysis of the contents of those collected values (flags, emblems – stickers), which have been complemented by historical and comparative reflection on military traditions and symbols of the ways of warriors from various cultures encrypted in those values. As the method of research long – term participant observation of the authors in the environment of martial arts in several European countries has been used.
Results and conclusions: Symbolism of emblems of FEMA organizations is established as a result of personal experiences of their leaders and activists. It results from their marital arts studies and knowledge including numerous semiotic contents. More frequently, for the sake of marketing and advertising these emblems consist of easy to identify symbols. However, in certain cases they repeat the logos of old schools or emblems of Samurai families, which origin, proper meaning and sense are not well known even for the instructors. Generally speaking, kung-fu schools demonstrate elements associated with Chinese tradition on their emblems, Japanese ones – with the Samurai tradition etc.