Symbolism of the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali Logo

Prior to the printing press, information was primarily conveyed through symbols. Theses symbols were not only more visually appealing, but more suggestive and pregnant with meaning to the mind. The ancient Egyptians believed the onion was sacred, its layers symbolizing the concentric spheres comprising the heavens. The Pekiti-Tirsia Kali (PTK) logo is also like an onion with may layers of symbolic meaning.

The PTK logo is comprised of (1) the syllable "Ka", (2) a sun, (3) a triangle, and (4) a circle of three arrows. This heraldic representation of the PTK system is analagous to the skin of the onion, the surface meaning, essential a trademark. Now we will peel some of the layers of symbolic meaning within the logo.

(1) KA - is the symbol within the sun. It is the letter "ka" written in the Bayabin alphabet, an ancient pre-colonial Philippine alphabet. It is a Brahmic script, derived from ancient Indian writing. Baybay literally means "to spell" in Tagalog. "Ka" is the first syllable in the word Kali, the blade fighting science indigenous to the Philippines. It also alludes to the influence of Indian culture on the Filipino language and fighting styles. "Ka" is also used as a term of respect spoken before an individual’s surname.

(2) SUN - In ancient times the people of the Phillipinces called themselves "children of the sun" as it appeared to rise out of the western Pacific to bathe the Philippines in light, first among the nations of the Earth. The eight rayed sun is a national symbol found on the flag of the Republic of the Phillipines. Each ray  represents one of the first eight provinces (Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlareac) to revolt against Spanish rule in 1896. The rays also allude to the eight cardinal directions.

(3) TRIANGLE - The triangle represents the science of Kali, which bases many principles and movements on the model of a triangle. A primary example of this is the triangle footwork system. As such, it can also be viewed as a symbol of the Earth. The triangle is known to be a very strong shape geometrically – it can be turned in any direction and its base remains very well balanced. It is the geometrical representation of the number three, ubiquitous in Kali, and has both physical and metaphysical properties. The sides of the triangle also represents the three main regions of the Philippines – Luzon, in the north; the Visayas, the center; and Mindanao, in the south.

(4) ARROWS - The arrows symbolize the power and fluidity of the system. It also represents the transmition of the art from island to island. The circle represents the circular movements of the blade, mirroring the elliptical orbits of the planets around the sun. Finally, the circle of arrows represent the long range footwork of the system, in which you circle clockwise outside the weapon hand of a right handed opponent. 

[Sources: "History of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali" interview with Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, Jr.; "Tactical Arts Academy" website by Tuhon Leslie Buck; "Philippine Marine Corps Martial Arts Program" logo courtesy of Master Sgt. Manuel Prado. Any errors or ommissons are solely the author's.]