The triangle is the most recognized symbol of Jiu-Jitsu. This symbol is found on the logos of many BJJ academies in the World and it is a classic symbol first used by the Gracie Family in Brazil.
The logo was designed to be more than a collection of symbolic references. The design, as a whole, is intended to reflect the spirit and character of our dynamic and growing academy.
For those who do not know the story behind it, here is a brief explanation and the origin of this symbol of Jiu-Jitsu!
Historical Context
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu originated in Japan. Jigoro Kano is known as the forefather of BJJ. Mitsuyo Maeda began training with Kano in 1897. This gentle art came to Brazil and then reached every corner of the world. Maeda went to Brazil and taught this art to the Gracies. Gracie's family learned this martial art from Japanese masters and devoted their lives to mastering, fighting, and propagating Jiu-Jitsu in the world.
The use of the triangle began thanks to this picture of Grand Master Carlos Gracie and Helio Gracie in a demonstration of Jiu Jitsu, which was used on the cover of the first instructional Jiu Jitsu book, written by Carlos and published in 1948 by Pongetti.
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Carlos Gracie
The Triangle: A Symbol of Strength and Stability
The symbol used to represent BJJ is a triangle. It represents the solid base from which every BJJ practitioner trains and masters the gentle art. As we all know symbols are used to display and show the meaning of something. The same is the case with BJJ. The triangle tells us about the philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu which was laid by the Gracie Family. It was primarily used by the Gracie Family.
Throughout history the equilateral triangle has stood as a symbol of power, safety, success, prosperity, wellness and healthiness. For this reason, it was selected by Grandmaster Carlos Gracie to characterize the most important elements that an individual gains through the practice of Jiu-Jitsu.
A Triangle is one of the most stable shapes. The Triangle shape is important because it depicts stability and strength. In BJJ, this shape represents stability, flexibility, perfection, and power. This bold symbol explains the essence of BJJ. A way of life that teaches stability and perfection. It balances the life of the practitioner.
Triangles are the ONLY polygon that cannot be crushed without breaking or bending one of its sides. Triangles represent the strongest and most efficient geometric shape. They are able to stand freely, and able to support their own weight. Regardless of which side it rests on, it always has a strong base.
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Triangle is among the most stable and strong shapes. Helio and Carlos Gracie chose this symbol to represent Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The triangle lays emphasis on the wholeness of techniques.
BJJ is represented with a triangle because it is a stable shape. In a square, there are four points of contact which always keep the fighter in a locked position.
Triangle is not just a shape that symbolizes BJJ, it is also a position in which the fighter is in the dominant position and has full control over his opponent.
Master Rickson Gracie asked BJJ practitioners to visualize the BJJ triangle as a pyramid. It means that it does not matter which side of the pyramid is pushed, it will always land in a strong and firm state. According to Rickson Gracie, the fighting techniques are centered around three points of contact.
“If you imagine a perfect triangle in three dimensions - in pyramid form - you can see how you can push it to either side, and it will always be stable. It regains its solid position every time. The application of this concept works that way. When you are mounted on your opponent and have three points of contact, he can move you around and you will easily find your third point again.
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The Gracie Triangle represents a solid and stable base that all BJJ practitioners must have in order to build a well-rounded BJJ game. That is why the BJJ triangle is used as a logo. It acts as an identification symbol for BJJ. The triangle is now part of almost every logo of a BJJ gym, school, or academy.
A Choke is named Triangle Choke due to the shape of the fighter's legs and body. It is BJJ’s signature submission. This choke is comparatively easy to apply and the chances of the opponent's submission are high.
According to Rickson Gracie: “In Jiu-Jitsu, the triangle has a deep meaning. It comes from my father, Helio Gracie, and my uncles, and from my own efforts to develop the art. For example, if you mount your opponent, his body will be one point and your knees will be the other points. There are always three points of contact. This does not mean you can not be moved, rather it means that the ways you can move are predictable.
Master Rickson Gracie is a 9th-Degree Red Belt in BJJ.
Gracie Insider: Technique of the Month - Triangle Shoulder Walk
The Fighters Within
The two fighters on the inside of the triangle are demonstrating a self-defense technique against a high kick. This position comes from a picture taken in 1980 at the original Academia Gracie in Brazil where Grandmaster Helio is performing this technique with Dr. Pedro Valente Senior playing the role of the attacker. This technique utilizes two of the most important principles of Jiu-Jitsu: Base and distance control.
Helio Gracie and Pedro Valente
The Significance of Colors
One of the most calming color combinations is the combination of blue and white, as it creates the energy of unlimited sky and happiness. White represents purity, cleanliness, completion, ultimate wisdom and assimilation of all life lessons. Blue is calming. It can be strong and steadfast or light and friendly. Blue conveys importance and confidence without being somber or sinister, just like a true Jiu-Jitsu representative.
Gracie's Philosophy Embodied
The Gracie Triangle was not just a random shape chosen by Helio and Carlos Gracie. Gracie's Philosophy is deeply embedded in it.
The Gracie triangle not only represents efficiency in the BJJ game but rather it advocates it as a purpose of life. Of course, efficiency is important in the game as a practitioner has to be fast enough to overcome the larger and more skilled opponent. The BJJ triangle is not only in sync with the philosophy of BJJ, but also it teaches how to incorporate that philosophy into everyday life.
The fighter applying patient and articulate moves will mostly win the BJJ fight since remaining calm and precise execution of techniques are essential. BJJ is about control over your bigger opponent. The size of the opponent does not matter as long as your moves are well-calculated and on the exact spot.
The most important element in a BJJ fight is to impose your game plan on your opponent. To control your opponent, you need to dominate him physically after which he will submit to your technique. The closed shape of the triangle emphasizes control.
The Gracie family never saw BJJ as only a self-defense system. It is used as a symbol to represent how the mind, body, and spirit of a practitioner are enlightened.
The Gracie triangle is used to represent the philosophy and components of the philosophy of BJJ. It depicts the stability, strength, and flexibility needed for a fighter to gain victory over his opponent. It is also used as a logo in almost all BJJ institutions to describe the philosophy of BJJ. Its components include the mind, body, and spirit of the BJJ fighter.
Mind is personified by one of the corners of the BJJ triangle. BJJ sharpens the mind of the practitioner. It increases the focusing ability of the fighter. The practitioner who is more calm and patient will have a lasting and dominant impression on his opponent.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu enables the fighter to be aware of his body. BJJ is all about knowing the body movement, joint location, and manipulation of body joints to submit the opponent. The Gracie Triangle is itself a whole philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu.
It is personified by the last corner of the triangle. BJJ is mostly about the mental game. But it also acts as a bridge between the mind and the body of the fighter which directly affects his spirit. It can be seen that many BJJ fighters started BJJ just to lose weight or get out of depression. The triangle is not just a shape.