MovieChat Forums > Kung Fu (1972) Discussion > The Insignia On The Back Of His Uniform

The Insignia On The Back Of His Uniform

posted 17 years ago by InfernoJones
9 replies | jump to latest

I posted the following on the listing for the Series Pilot/movie a few days ago, and didn't get a response, so I tought I'd try my luck here!

Thanks if you can help!

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I don't want to ruin the story for anyone who hasn't seen the Pilot/movie, so I'll put some spoiler space...

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Okay, when Cain has the showdown at the end of the Movie with the Priest-for-hire, they both put on their Ceremonial Fighting garb. The Bad Guy has a snake on his, and Cain's has an open hand. What is that about? When they went over the different fighting disciplines at the Monastery, how did "open hand" fit in? Snake I got.

Very curious I am! Please let me know if you can!

THANKS!

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[–] BigShoe62 17 years ago

I'm sorry I don't have the answer, but I do recall a statue at the temple, in the same shape as the palm on the uniform. Perhaps it was meant to symbolize that particular monastery.

I also believe that Carradine once mentioned that originally the uniforms were the other way round, with the "bad guy" wearing the gold uniform. Someone suggested that they should be switched, and that is what they went with.

[–] InfernoJones 17 years ago

Thanks You VER MUCH for your answer!

Sorry I'm late with the thanks!

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[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] zorbear 16 years ago

The uniform that Caine wears (several times in the series) was originally Master Po's uniform (Po is seen wearing it in one of the episodes). It's part of what is in Po's bag that the master gives to Caine as he's dying.

As to what it meant, each Master in the temple taught a different style. If Po had been a master of Dragon style, there would have been a dragon on the uniform. Obviously, he was master of an open-hand style (Chin-wa or something like it).

[–] InfernoJones 16 years ago

Thank you, Most Honorable Unbearable!

I didn't make the connection to the dying gift from Master Po (who has to be one of the coolest characters in the history of TV).

Open Hand Style... Soundz good to me!

Thanks Again!

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[–] Akzidenz_Grotesk 12 years ago

I always thought that the HAND insignia on Caine's golden uniform represented mastery of ALL the animal fighting styles (Dragon, Snake, and the three or four other animal styles.)

In the Kung Fu pilot movie, the animal styles were shown by their respective masters in plain orange uniforms without their respective animal insignia on the back, whereas later on in the pilot episode the renegade Shaolin who came to capture Caine wore a black uniform with an animal insignia (snake) on the back.

Only Caine had the gold uniform with the HAND insignia that and Master Po said Caine was his favourite student...

My votes:http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=9422378

[–] InfernoJones 12 years ago

I like it! *THANKS, BRADBURY!*
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[–] cranialsi 12 years ago

It was definitely a gift from Master Po on his death and I think you're right that it was symbolic.

[–] juviejay 12 years ago

Hey, cranialsi, I sent you a private message. You should read it before going on the Dexter board.

Walt: I'm gonna need some assurance.
Mike: Well, I assure you I can kill you from way over here.