The patch itself is the shape and color of a steel shield to show strength. The top of the patch has a curved roof to ward off danger as in Chinese architecture. 

Each student begins his/her martial arts career as a tiger and works toward becoming a dragon. The tiger is symbolic of the wild, untamed, and possibly out-of-control power in each person. The tiger's green eyes show the small amount of dragon in each of us. The white bearded dragon is symbolic of the power we are being taught to control and the wisdom of knowing when use to this power and when not to. The Yellow eyes show the small amount of tiger that will always remain inside each person. 

The letters In AMERICAN are different colors to represent the different levels of progress made by the students. The red KENPO letters represent the 1st through 5th degrees then repeat and go from 6th through l0th degrees. 

The colors of the circle are white, brown, and black to pay respect to the first colors of belts worn before the development of the multi-colored belts. The outer circle illustrates the extension of the fighting perimeter, for example, front kicks and back kicks. If necessary the perimeter can be extended if weapons are involved. The middle circle illustrates the extension of punches. The inner circle is an illustration of elbows and knees. The very center illustrates head butts and bites. 

The eight directions of the arrows portray that we are prepared to defend all angles of attack. The arrowhead at the tip of each line represents swiftness and exactness of penetration. 

₁In the center of the patch is the Yin Yang Symbol. Yin, the dark side of the symbol, represents the passive, Yang, the light side, represents the active. Together, they constitute equilibrium and harmony; everything has an opposite, but not in opposition. Instead, they are equally divided by a flexible line representing the continuity of life force which is movement. 

₂The executioner axe at the bottom of the patch is designed after Ed Parker's patch. This was done to show homage to the creator of American Kenpo. The ax represents the executioner which cuts off members who shame or oppose the code(s) of the system. 

₁Parker, Ed. Ed Parker's Encyclopedia of Kenpo. Pasadena, ca: 1992. 
₂Parker, Ed. Infinite Insiqhts lnto Kenpo-Mental Stimulation. Los Angeles: Delsby Publications, 1982. 

₃CREED
"I come to you with only Karate, empty hands, I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong; then here are my weapons, Karate, my empty hands." 

₃Parker, Ed. Infinite Insiqhts into Kenpo-Mental Stimulation. Los Angeles: Delsby Publications, 1989