      The traditional explanation for the meaning of JUDO is: 
“The word judo consists of two Japanese characters, ju, which
means “gentle”, and do, which means “the way”. Judo, therefore,
literally means the way of gentleness.  However, the two words
JU and DO have much deeper and wider meanings.  JU can also mean
Giving and Flexible.  Like the willow branch that is flexible
and does not contend with the wind so too does a student of Judo
not meet force with force unless it is to their advantage or for
a further purpose.  The meaning of DO is the way, the path or
system or philosophy.  By renaming Jujitsu to Judo, Dr. Kano
gave Judo a higher meaning and distinguished it from ancient
Jujitsu.   The symbol of the Kodokan (literally translated to
“the place for teaching the way” [Dr. Kano's dojo]) is the
cherry blossom with a red circle in the middle.  The symbol
itself has been described in many ways.  For students just
beginning Judo, the best symbolism is in the fact that the
outside edge is in the shape of