Hwang Dong-hyuk, the mastermind behind the global Netflix phenomenon Squid Game, has finally unveiled the deeper meaning behind the mysterious symbols featured on the guards’ uniforms—circle, triangle, and square.
In a recent press conference attended by entertainment outlet Dexerto, the Squid Game creator explained that these shapes weren’t chosen randomly. Instead, they represent core themes of the show and carry significant symbolism rooted in both childhood memories and societal commentary.
“I was quite literally thinking of myself as a kid… and the circle, triangle, square is exactly what you draw on the ground while playing,” Hwang revealed. He said the inspiration came during the earliest stages of conceptualizing Squid Game, when nostalgic games from his youth sparked a vision for the now-iconic imagery.
But the symbols are more than playground doodles. According to the 51-year-old Korean filmmaker, they illustrate the “limitless competition in late capitalism.” Within the world of Squid Game, the shapes signify hierarchy and control among the masked guards, with each shape denoting a specific rank and function in the system. “It’s used in our show to show the different classes among the master guards,” Hwang said.
These simple geometric designs have become synonymous with Squid Game’s brand and themes, resonating globally with audiences grappling with issues of inequality and economic pressure. Hwang added, “I just think that these simple and fundamental geometric shapes… came to symbolize our show, as well as some of the issues that we face in current society.”
As the cultural impact of Squid Game continues to grow, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Squid Game Season 3, which is officially set to debut on Netflix on June 27, 2025. With new twists, deeper social commentary, and the same haunting aesthetic, the third installment promises to dive even further into the harsh realities and moral dilemmas that define the series.
Hwang concluded that discovering the visual language of Squid Game through such universal symbols was “a peculiar but powerful realization”—one that helped transform the series into a global pop culture icon.