The United Arts College (UAC) patch is the symbol which defines who we are.The UAC patch is a symbol of tradition, containing some old and historic aspects. In essence, the UAC patch is a snap shot in time embodying the old and the new of Tae Kwon Do.

The UAC patch is also an eclectic patch. The patch itself is not a lone symbol, but rather a collection of symbols, which like the minute lines of oriental calligraphy, collectively represent the UAC ideals, values, goals and philosophy. To appreciate the UAC patch, one must observe it with a "knowing mind" and an understanding of its history, design, and method of presentation. The current UAC patch was designed with the input of many seniors, but Judy Decker perhaps deserves the most recognition for the design of the current patch.

The historic and cultural roots of the UAC patch are very old and some of them may extend back 2,500 to 3,000 years or longer to the origins of Tae Kwon Do and Soo Bak. The collection of symbols that make up the UAC patch are held together in a single oval shape, a single unit. Master Kang has said that the grouping of the symbols are "all inside the whole."

The border of the patch is red and blue and symbolizes America or the American flag.

This border, while itself a symbol, is also the structure which holds together the remainder of the patch symbology.

Prominently displayed on the UAC patch is the ancient Yin/Yang symbol, turned sideways, and instead of being black and white, the Yin/Yang symbol is red and blue like the Korean Flag, red on top and blue on the bottom. The Yin/Yang is a symbol of juxtapositions, good/bad, cold/hot, positive/negative.

Yin in Chinese philosophy represents the passive, negative, feminine force or principle in the universe, and it always contrasts and complements the Yang. The Yang in Chinese philosophy is the active, positive, masculine force or principle in the universe; the source of light and heat. Yang is always both contrasted with and complementary to Yin.

Below the Yin/Yang symbol is the fist. It is the fist known as "Chong Kwon", the fist of justice or fist of righteousness. It represents that Tae Kwon Do is to be used only for proper and principled motives.

The fist is surrounded by two branches of laurel. Laurel leaves are also used in the Olympic symbol, and laurel leaves were once woven into wreaths by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in various contests. This is also the origin of the term "laurels", which is used to indicate fame, honor and victory. Laurel leaves are also used to indicate peace. The fist "Chong Kwon" is surrounded by laurel leaves, and is therefore surrounded in victory, honor, and peace.

There are fourteen leaves on each laurel branch. The fourteen leaves represent the fourteen states of Korea. Within the leaves, there are three seeds on each branch (difficult to see, but they are supposed to be there...see left). The three seeds on each side represent the "three thousand Li" (a form of measurement) north to south of the Land of the Morning calm.

The six seeds collectively represent the world and the major continents of the world.

Below the fist is a banner containing Chinese characters. Master Kang says that the use of Chinese characters among Koreans is common. The symbols in the banner identify the type, or style of martial arts that we practice. The right symbol stands for "Tae", the symbol on the left stands for "Kwon," so taken together they stand for Tae Kwon Do, or the Way of Kicking and Punching.

The symbol in the center stands for "Moo," or Moo Duk Kwan. Moo Duk Kwan means military justice school or military brotherhood association. UAC is part of a much larger world wide organization known as Moo Duk Kwan. So, the banner identifies us as practitioners of "Tae Kwon (Do)", and within Tae Kwon Do, the patch identifies us as Moo Duk Kwan stylists. The banner is also colored "midnight blue", which represents the oceans and black belts.

This is the foundation or the base as it is the basis of our training. Out of this base grow the laurel leaf symbol of peace. The Laurel grows out of the Moo Duk Kwan like shrubs or trees and surrounds the fist "Chong Kwon" which looks strong like a rock or a mountain, powerful and immovable like the practitioners of Tae Kwon Do. The fist is the fist of a person. It is a fist of flesh and blood, but it is also stoic and unchangeable as a mountain. Above the mountains and trees is the Yin/Yang symbol. It looks like a bright and shining sun, looming over the mountains and trees, Out of the sun, the rays of light shine, and these rays are the words "United Martial Arts College". They shine out brightly from the sun symbol like beams of light. The UAC patch itself may be interpreted as two symbols of juxtapositions. The UAC patch is balanced in two halves like the Yin/Yang symbol. The top half contains the abstract, philosophical symbol of Yin/Yang. The bottom half, contains representations of the natural, physical world, the fist and Laurel leaves. The bottom half of the patch also represents a juxtaposition. The fist is strength, strong, tight, rock hard, fierce and immovable. The Laurels are a symbol of peace bending, yielding, and gentleness.

The UAC emblem should be placed over the left side of the heart. The patch is worn over the left side of the heart because the left side is more important and vital. If the left side of the heart is pierced, the person dies. There are instances in which people have lived after a bullet has pierced the right side of the heart. The patch should be situated so that when the uniform "Tobo" is worn, the lettering and patch are straight and upright.