Travelers [旅]

This character/ideogram means "travels; a journey; a tour; a trip." Traveling in this context is not meant to explain the physical journey one takes say from your home to Disneyland or Disney World. It is a more spiritual and intellectual journey that promotes an attitude the prevents a person from staying with one thing for any extended period of time.

It is as if they cannot find roots in any one discipline. They are a bit like the butterfly, flittering and fluttering from one place to another, searching, tasting and testing - unable to make a commitment.

It is expected that young persons will travel for short times to gain knowledge so a decision and commitment can be made. When they reach a mature age it usually goes away.

Some people are travelers throughout their lives. Like nomads traveling constantly with no roots in any one place.  Some adults will go through a phase that lasts for a few years or shorter for specific situations.

If you are a traveler take the advice of the ancient Chinese sages, don't make long-term plans or commitments because you will end up moving on anyway, keep a low profile, stay modest in your aims, don't mislead others with promises eventually unkept, remain sensitive to the needs of others and be generous in your assistance to others. Focus on the broader or bigger picture, recognize and acknowledge your own character as to others not travelers, and view your self with dignity and self-confidence.

Martial Travelers are like this, the flitter and flutter from one system to the next never settling long enough to embrace it and set roots. These traveling martial artist tend to search out, taste and test systems using the excuse they are looking for the best of the best when in reality they have a wondering soul that never rests.

There is no wrong in being a Martial Traveler. One must embrace this culture and belief wholeheartedly and then take the advice of the sages and find balance in blending what is learned into one whole individual.