The GMAU crest color scheme and design layout have symbolic meaning.
Color Scheme:
Crimson Red
The color red on the GMAU crest has deep emotional and spiritual connotations. Spiritually, when we consider the color red, we think of the blood sacrifice of Christ our Savior. Our sin, too, is represented in the Bible by the color red.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:18, KJV
Emotionally, red is an indication of raw energy, force, vigor, and intense passion and courage.
Royal Blue
The color blue on the GMAU crest symbolizes truth and wisdom, heaven and eternity, devotion and tranquility, loyalty and openness.
Gold
The gold on the GMAU crest reflects our spiritual rewards, heavenly crowns, and richness. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder that our treasures should be built in heaven and not on earth.
White
The color white on the GMAU crest represents that through the washing of Christ's blood we have received purity, perfection, peace, innocence, dignity, cleanliness, awareness, new beginnings, and renewed life.
Black
The color black on the GMAU crest symbolizes depth of knowledge, deep mystery, and faith in God in the midst of the unknown.
Design Layout:
Cross
Central in the GMAU crest design is a cross which represents the Cross of Christ. The cross has, for many centuries, represented the sacrificial death of our Savior.
Holy Bible
Sharing the central design focus on the GMAU crest is the Holy Bible. The scriptures are THE authority by which all human life is ruled. It symbolizes God's eternal covenant with mankind. Furthermore, the placement of the Bible on our patch reminds us that the GMAU is at its core a Christian ministry and not simply a martial arts association lead by Christians.
Kyohkai
The word "kyohkai" means "temple association" or "church." Unlike the term "dojo," which simply means the place in which someone studies the way, "kyohkai" suggests a deeper, spiritual place in which someone studies the way of life. The kanji on the GMAU crest is "kyohkai" and is written in the specific form used when describing a Christian or Christ-faith church.
Globe
The section of the globe on the GMAU crest symbolizes our desire to reach all of the world with the Gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ. The globe also represents the positive, wide-reaching "global" effects of the Christian martial arts. Furthermore, the globe symbolizes the diversity represented within the Gospel Martial Arts Union membership.
Five Stars
The five stars on the GMAU crest represent many things both openly shared to all and heavily guarded within the martial arts system.
Mental/Spiritual/Physical
These words included on the GMAU crest represent the GMAU mission. The primary goal of the GMAU is to cultivate mature Christian students. This goal is attained through spiritual discipleship, mental discipline, and physical development.
Shield
The shape of the GMAU crest was carefully chosen to represent a shield which refers to a characteristic of God.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20, KJV
