The Strength of the Kris: Lessons in Resilience from the Tree

The kris is a traditional Indonesian blade known for its distinctive shape, rich spiritual symbolism, and powerful cultural roots. With its often wavy blade and layered metal patterns, it’s more than a weapon—it’s a work of art, a sacred object, and a symbol of identity.

But one of the most fascinating aspects of the kris is not the blade itself—it’s the wooden sheath, called a warangka. When choosing the wood to craft this sheath, kris makers don’t just pick any tree. They search for something very specific: a tree that was diseased… and survived.

This tradition reflects a deep respect for resilience. A tree that has suffered but endured carries a kind of spiritual strength. Its knots, scars, and irregular grain are not flaws—they’re signs of character. The belief is that this strength, this survival, becomes part of the kris, and by extension, part of the person who carries it.

Crafting a kris is not only a physical process but also a spiritual one. The blade is often forged with ritual, prayer, and intention, and the same reverence is extended to the sheath. Selecting a tree that has healed itself is believed to infuse the final piece with protective energy and wisdom earned through struggle.

This idea speaks powerfully to both Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and life.

In martial arts, progress doesn’t come from ease—it comes from struggle, from pushing through failure, fear, and frustration. Every bruise, every mistake, every setback is like a knot in the grain of that tree. What matters isn’t avoiding difficulty—it’s growing through it.

Just like the tree that lived through disease, a martial artist becomes strong not by avoiding challenges, but by enduring them, learning from them, and coming back stronger. Resilience is built—not born.

A look closer and you will see: the power isn’t just in the blade. It’s also in the wood. It’s in the story of something that could have withered, but chose to thrive.