The rank insignia predate World War II, but the symbolism at that time included each of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, with the left and right petals of the fleur-de-lis symbolizing the sacred jewel Yasakani no Magatama, and the central petal symbolizing the sacred sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi. The current design postdates World War II, and the current design of the rank badges dates from the 1980s.The Scout Handbook, Scout Association of Japan 2002 edition, August 2010 reprint, pp. 44, 384-385
