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I-Ching | The Symbol of Change
A version of the I-Ching (Classic of Changes) appears on all AIK uniforms as a powerful reminder to embody three essential roles:
a student willing to learn,
a teacher willing to share knowledge,
and a scholar willing to re-evaluate what has been learned.
Knowledge is infinite — never stop seeking.
History
The I-Ching is one of the oldest Chinese classics. Sigung Stephen LaBounty introduced it to AIK and our students, making it a meaningful link between history and the present in the LaBounty lineage. The summary presented here is the version Mr. LaBounty shared with Mr. Pilch.
The Three Lines
These lines are inspired by the trigrams of the I-Ching (also known as the Classic of Changes), one of the oldest Chinese classics. In the I-Ching, a trigram consists of three horizontal lines — either solid (yang) or broken (yin) — that together represent fundamental forces of nature and stages of transformation.
In the LaBounty Crest, the three lines symbolize the progressive stages of learning in the martial arts journey:
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The lowest line symbolizes the Embryonic Stage — the beginning, where the martial student is first formed and begins to absorb the fundamentals.
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The middle line represents the Mechanical Stage — where technique, coordination, and flow are developed through repetition and practice.
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The top line represents the Sophisticated Stage — where one fully understands the purpose and deeper themes of the movements, integrating them naturally into daily life with spontaneity and wisdom.
Together, these lines remind us that mastery is a continuous journey of growth, from foundational beginnings to enlightened expression.
The Open Circle
The open circle symbolizes the Enlightened or “Heavenly” Stage. It reminds us that we are perpetual students. Knowledge and skill will come to us from every direction, flow circularly through mind and body, and manifest as wisdom when we teach others.