Integrity, Brotherhood, and Expansion
In a life dedicated to the growth and development of Jiu-Jitsu and Gracie Barra, Master Carlos Gracie Jr. has always guided his efforts and actions based on principles and values. Among the values most present in everything Master Carlinhos built are brotherhood, expansion, and integrity. As he himself simply put it:
“My life is dedicated to Jiu-Jitsu. My goal has always been to build a brotherhood to lead the expansion of Jiu-Jitsu, while always respecting the essence of our art. My students are an extension of my family. I want each of my students to develop their potential as human beings, helping to expand Jiu-Jitsu. We must do this by honoring the traditions and efforts of those who came before us.” - Carlos Gracie Jr.
The values and principles that form Master Carlos Gracie Jr.'s personal philosophy have largely defined the culture of Gracie Barra. The table below summarizes each of the values most esteemed by Carlos and how they have impacted our organization:
Red Shield
Our team's color is red, and our flag is the Red Shield. The Red Shield unites the entire GB community, including our beginner students, graduated black belts, competition team athletes, instructors, and our schools, keeping the legacy alive.
Master Carlos Gracie Jr. created the Red Shield with the goal of unifying all those who represent Gracie Barra, defending and passing on the legacy of Grandmaster Carlos Gracie and other Jiu-Jitsu legends like Hélio Gracie and Rolles Gracie.
The strength and credibility of the Red Shield have been built over the years through a lot of hard work and excellence demonstrated by our students, athletes, and instructors involved in sport Jiu-Jitsu competitions, teaching programs, and community work.
The Gracie Barra Red Shield is one of the most recognized symbols in the world of Jiu-Jitsu. And all those who wear it on their chest have a deep sense of loyalty and commitment to Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and the Jiu-Jitsu For Everyone movement.
GB Team
Our competition team, the GB Team, is known for representing the Red Shield in Jiu-Jitsu arenas around the world. At GB, sport Jiu-Jitsu is highly valued for building close bonds among students, professors, parents, and friends who, with great pride, enjoy the experience of being GB. The emotion of those who represent and cheer for the Red Shield is indescribable. The passion and loyalty to our team result in success, unity, complicity, and the honor of representing and keeping Master Carlos Gracie Jr.'s legacy alive.
Through sports, students grow, mature, learn, and have fun, while also working on their body, mind, and spirit. Our competition team values the lessons that have been taught through competitions: the pursuit of excellence through personal development and teamwork. We promote ethical and responsible behavior on and off the mats, leadership, sportsmanship, respect for our opponents, accepting victory with humility, and recognizing defeat with dignity.
By embracing these values, the members of the GB TEAM create habits that lead to a better quality of life and well-being. Winning is not the end but the beginning, as at Gracie Barra we believe that our athletes' efforts in giving their best will result in success on the mats of life.
Gratitude, Appreciation, Legacy
We must all learn from our past to educate the future. The images on the walls of every Gracie Barra school tell our story from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. First, Mitsuyo Maeda, the Japanese with unparalleled skills who brought the gentle art to Brazil. Next to him, Carlos Gracie Sr., Maeda's first student and the first Gracie of all to learn Jiu-Jitsu. Third, Hélio Gracie, Carlos's brother and the best Gracie fighter of his time. Fourth, Rolls Gracie, a true innovator of Jiu-Jitsu and a champion of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu philosophy. And finally, Carlos Gracie Jr., the founder of Gracie Barra and visionary of the "Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone" project. It is our tradition to remember the lives of great Masters and practitioners, both as a sign of gratitude and appreciation, and as a source of inspiration from which we can still learn.
Uh it's Gracie Barra Aha Uhu ♫
In times of difficulty, or when we have a challenge ahead, we know the importance of family and friends. In the sports field, it's no different. Whenever an athlete enters the competition arena, the positive energy of the crowd infects them and makes their performance grow.
To prove that our motto is true and to show that we are truly organized as a team and that we fight as a family, Gracie Barra calls on all who wear the GB Red Shield on their chest to unite as one crowd, supporting our competitors with a unique energy coming from different neighborhoods, cities, states, and even countries.
Therefore, at the next competition, look for the red shirts or the Gracie Barra flag in the gym and join this family, your family, which with this increasingly strong support will only continue to grow. The harmony between the academies will help Gracie Barra become even bigger.
♫ Uh it's Gracie Barra Aha Uhu… Uh it's Gracie Barra Aha Uhu…! ♫
Red Wave
What we wear identifies us as a group and, for many, defines the values we represent. What we wear conveys to others an idea of who we are. Wearing the red shirt is about representing the GB Family.
The pride of being part of the GB family is stamped on the Red Shield. And have you ever wondered why the color is red?
"I want the color red because it represents the heart, the blood, and the love. All my fighters fight with their heart, give their blood in training, and above all, they love our GB family, our Gracie Barra team." - Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
Wearing the red shirt is shouting to the world: I believe in Gracie Barra.
The Red Shirt seeks to promote a sense of unity among GB team members around the world. It promotes unity, support, equality, identity, philosophy, and pride in being on the GB team. Wearing the red shirt is an affirmation: I am part of the GB Team.
The Red Shirt aims for respect, brotherhood, friendship, loyalty, and love for the GB team. Wearing the red shirt is stamping on your chest: I am Gracie Barra.
"When I put on the red shirt and go to the tournament, I automatically become someone stronger, faster, and unbeatable... because I know there will be hundreds of GB brothers wearing the same shirt, representing the same values, and supporting me on the battlefield, competing by my side or cheering from the stands. This is Gracie Barra." - Prof. Philipe Della Monica
Spread across the world, people come across the GB red sea, identify our uniform, and know that there is a member of the Gracie Barra family who defends our mindset, represents our philosophy, and our values. Wearing the red shirt is keeping our legacy alive.