Symbolism

Young Trainers usually begin their initial Pokémon journey by traveling from city to city in order to collect them. Badges are small enough to fit easily between one's thumb and index finger and can be pinned to a shirt or kept in a Badge case.

GYM BADGES

The Seal of Solomon

“And it came about through my prayer that grace was given to me from the Lord Sabaoth by Michael his archangel. [He brought me] a little ring, having a seal consisting of an engraved stone, and said to me: "Take, O Solomon, king, son of David, the gift which the Lord God has sent thee, the highest Sabaoth. With it thou shalt lock up all demons of the earth, male and female; and with their help thou shalt build up Jerusalem. [But] thou [must] wear this seal of God. And this engraving of the seal of the ring sent thee is a Pentalpha.”

Using this signet ring, Solomon was able to bring demons under his control. By questioning the demons whom he summoned, Solomon could learn their respected names, their special abilities, and how they could be countered. Additionally Solomon was able to enslave and make these demons work for him, and this can be seen when he commands Asmodeus to help build the Temple.

When Trainers gain a new badge, they are able to properly communicate and understand higher and higher level Pokemon. The trainer can name their Pokemon once captured and learn their counters and special abilities alike. Villains of the main arc, and even trainers in battle can be seen making Pokemon work for them, and these Gym badges must be wielded to command and work with the elite tier Pokemon.

Gym badges and Solomon's ring can see many similarities, and in a sense, a gym badge is a lot like Solomon's ring.

Taoism is an important ideology of the unova region.

These symbols represent gangs throughout the Pokemon Series. Most prominently is the Red R, representing Team Rocket.

Every generation has a new faction that serves as the enemy. Some of these factions are industrial organizations to cults who want to free Pokemon from the shackles of Human contact.

This is none other than team plasma, represented by a Blue 'P' on a white and black field. Team Plasma is the main enemy group in the Unova Region, most notable of this cult is the Prince, N.