Aikido is a heritage of the traditional culture of Japan and a Budo of modern times. Its founder, O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, wanted this martial art to become a way to express love and compassion between all men and women on this earth. He wanted war and violence to be stopped and replaced by kindness and understanding. 

He gave the name AIKIDO to his new Budo. The first kanji: 'Ai', means harmony, union, encounter or coordination. The second: 'Ki', means inner strength, vital energy or sole. The third: 'Do', means path or way.

AIKIDO was defined by the founder as 'The way of harmony between men/women and the universe'. It could also be said that AIKIDO is a way for men/women to be in harmony with themselves, with nature and with life.