What’s Behind The Symbol On BTS Star RM’s Military Uniform? Fans Reveal Truth – News18

Last Updated:January 03, 2025, 11:07 IST

Reportedly, the symbol represents the feet or footprints of Buddha and is often included at the beginning or end of inscriptions.

BTS RM is grabbing headlines once again. Recently, a photo of the K-Pop star in his military uniform sparked curiosity and discussions online. RM, who is currently serving in the military, was seen wearing a badge that caught everyone’s attention due to its design. At the centre of RM’s badge was a swastika-like symbol, which led to misunderstandings. Some online users mistakenly associated it with the Nazi swastika. However, RM’s fans quickly stepped in to clarify the meaning behind the badge and the symbol.

The badge RM wore is specifically for military officers who perform religious duties, such as chaplains. It carries cultural and spiritual significance in the context of Buddhism. The swastika, in this case, is not the tilted Nazi symbol but a straight-standing Buddhist emblem that predates its misuse by the Nazis. For Buddhists, the symbol is deeply sacred, representing ideas similar to how the cross signifies Christianity.

In Korean culture, the symbol (卍) holds important religious and cultural meanings. It is believed to symbolise “universal harmony, prosperity, good luck, abundance, dharma, fertility, long life and eternity.” Unlike the Nazi swastika, it carries positive connotations and has no connection to the ideologies of the Third Reich, explained a fan.

According to Britannica, the swastika has historically been a revered symbol in Buddhism. It represents the feet or footprints of Buddha and is often included at the beginning or end of inscriptions. In Tibetan Buddhist traditions, it has even been used as a decorative element in clothing. As Buddhism spread across regions, the symbol became part of the cultural iconography in countries like China and Japan, where it has been associated with plurality, prosperity, abundance and longevity.

“For… reasons, I thought I’d share two photos I took at the Samgwangsa Temple in Busan. It really is beautiful! We were there around Buddha’s birthday, so the grounds were decorated with 1000s of lanterns with Buddhist symbols,” added a user.

RM’s badge, therefore, reflects his role and cultural connection to Buddhism, which is far removed from the negativity some mistakenly linked it to.

RM is set to complete his mandatory military service in South Korea on June 10, 2025. RM began his enlistment on December 11, 2023, the same day as his fellow BTS member, V.