Hapkapatches

Hapkapatches refers to the distinctive patches worn by practitioners of Hapkido, a Korean martial art. These patches typically feature the Hapkido symbol, often a circle enclosing a stylized image representing the art's core principles of harmony, power, and redirection. The design can vary slightly between different Hapkido organizations and schools, but the fundamental elements usually remain consistent.

These patches are commonly sewn onto the uniforms, known as doboks, worn during training and demonstrations. They serve as a visual identifier of a person's dedication to Hapkido and affiliation with a particular school or federation. The placement of the patch is often on the chest or sleeve of the dobok, a tradition that can be found in many martial arts.

The Hapkapatches are more than just decorative; they can sometimes indicate rank or level of achievement within the art, although specific color schemes or additional markings may be used for this purpose. For students, the patch represents their journey and commitment to learning and practicing Hapkido techniques, which include joint locks, throws, kicks, and strikes. The presence of a Hapkido patch on a uniform signifies membership in a global community of martial artists who practice this dynamic and comprehensive discipline.