Saturday, December 01, 2007

The GoJu Jitsu Cross

The name of our organization is written in the shape of a cross. From a Christian view, the cross is self explanatory. But being that this cross is in the same shape as the Iron Cross, as made popular these days by West Coast Choppers, and even though any one who knows me, knows that I am anything but racially prejudice, I feel that an explaination of it's meaning may be necessary.
The origins of the Prussian/German "Iron Cross".
The tradition of the Iron Cross (which was Cross Pattée in shape) had an honourable beginning, when it was instituted as a Prussian decoration, in March 1813, by King Friedrich Wilheim III during the War of Liberation against Napoleon. It was awarded without regard for nationality or social class to combatants for acts of heroism, bravery or leadership skills.