Explained: What the shapes on the Squid Game guards’ masks actually mean

Squid Game has made its return, delivering a wealth of dramatic surprises. Each episode raises numerous inquiries, making it exceedingly tempting to consume all seven episodes in one sitting. One aspect that may have been overlooked from the first season is the importance of the various shapes on the masks worn by the guards in Squid Game. The masks display circles, triangles, and squares, each symbolizing different roles within the established hierarchy. Below is a summary of the staff structure in Squid Game and the meanings of the symbols on their masks in relation to their roles in the game.

Circle: A staff member with a circle on their mask is classified as a basic worker, occupying the lowest level of the hierarchy. The majority of the workforce is comprised of individuals wearing circle masks. Their duties include cleaning up after the games, organizing events, and transporting bodies to the incinerator.

Triangle: A triangle on the mask indicates that the individual is a soldier, armed and responsible for enforcing the rules and “eliminating” contestants.

Square: Those who wear a square mask are designated as managers. Among the three shapes, squares hold the highest rank. They oversee both soldiers and workers, maintain direct communication with The Frontman, and have access to the surveillance room, where they monitor the players.

Furthermore, these symbols possess a deeper meaning. They correspond to letters from the Korean alphabet, written in Hangul. The circle represents the letter “O,” the triangle is part of the letter “J,” and the square signifies the letter “M.” Together, these letters form the initials OJM, which refer to the squid game in Korean – Ojingeo Geim.