Assassin insignia: Difference between revisions
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{{Era|Assassins}} | |||
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{{Quote|The symbol that you sought and found... It is a mark of courage and honor, yes. But it promises pain and loss as well.|Oiá:ner, regarding the Assassins' insignia, 1777.|Assassin's Creed III|Floating conversations}} | |||
[[File:Aclogo.png|thumb|200px|The Assassin insignia]] | |||
The '''insignia''' of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], though varying in design across different time periods and countries, held essentially the same shape and style of an [[eagle]]'s head. Each variation represented the uniqueness of the Order's many sects and often reflected the cultural heritage of each [[Assassin Guild|guild]]. | |||
As one of the Assassins' defining leitmotifs, the insignia has been used for centuries to adorn the Order's secret bases, equipment, and even the personal [[armor]] and robes of prominent Assassin figures. Its simple design renders it inconspicuous to ordinary [[Civilian|citizens]], yet to members of the Order, the symbol's meaning and long history make it instantly recognizable. | |||
==Assassins | ==History== | ||
===Antiquity=== | |||
[[File:ACO Last of the Medjay 15.png|thumb|250px|left|The eagle skull's imprint that inspired the insignia]] | |||
The inspiration for the insignia came from the [[Assassins|Hidden Ones]]' co-founder [[Bayek]], who carried an eagle skull necklace in remembrance of his late son [[Khemu]]. In 46 BCE, as Bayek and his wife [[Amunet|Aya]] laid the foundations of the Hidden Ones, the former dropped the necklace onto the beach sand of [[Alexandria]] to signify the renouncement of his past. Aya picked up the skull and saw the imprint it had left in the sand, which became the basis for the Hidden Ones' insignia.<ref name="Last of the Medjay">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Last of the Medjay]]</ref> | |||
the Assassin | Following some stylistic changes, a larger version of the symbol was painted in blue on the rooftop of the newly-founded [[Assassin bureau|Hidden Ones bureau]] in [[Memphis]], marking its location and purpose to all who knew what the symbol stood for.<ref name="Birth of the Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Birth of the Creed]]</ref> By 38 BCE, another [[Hidden Ones Klysma bureau|bureau]] was established in the [[Klysma Quarry]], also bearing the Hidden Ones' symbol on its roof.<ref name="Land of Turquoise">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]] – [[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]'' – [[The Land of Turquoise]]</ref> | ||
</ | |||
== | ===Middle Ages=== | ||
This practice continued into the [[Middle Ages]], as the insignia was used to prominently mark the entrances of Hidden Ones bureaus,<ref name="ACV">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''</ref><ref name="ACMir">''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''</ref> and could also be seen on the [[Flag|banners]] decorating the [[fort]]ress of [[Alamut]] in [[Iran|Persia]].<ref name="ACMir" /> When the Hidden Ones were reformed as the Assassins during the [[Crusades]], the design of the insignia remained virtually unchanged, and it retained its purpose of marking Assassin locations, including the fortress of [[Masyaf]] in [[Syria]], which was adorned with banners displaying the symbol.<ref name="AC1">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref> | |||
===Renaissance=== | |||
During the [[Renaissance]] in [[Italy]], the insignia was used on the mechanisms in the [[Assassin Tombs]] explored by [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], and on the banners and walls of [[Monteriggioni]], the primary base of operations for the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Brotherhood]].<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> It was also displayed on the banners hung in the [[Tiber Island]] [[Tiber Island headquarters|headquarters]] in [[Rome]].<ref name="ACB">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref> | |||
[[File:Amunet v.png|thumb|250px|The insignia marking the entrance to Amunet's tomb]] | |||
In order to hide their intention from the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] or other forces that were trying to stop them, [[Leonardo da Vinci]] invented a special invisible paint that only Assassins who were able to use [[Eagle Vision]] could detect, even at great distances. The paint was mostly used by Assassin scouts, usually drawing the symbol to mark a target house or item.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Identity]]'' – [[Database: Assassin Mark]]</ref> In [[Constantinople]], [[Assassin Den]]s and [[zipline]]s had a small Assassin insignia drawn on top of them, while [[bomb-crafting station]]s were all painted with the [[Ottoman Brotherhood of Assassins|Ottoman Assassins]]' own insignia.<ref name="ACR">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref> | |||
===Age of Enlightenment=== | |||
In the 18th century, many Assassins who became [[ship]] [[captain]]s elected to fly [[flag]]s bearing the insignia. After becoming affiliated with the Brotherhood in 1721, [[Edward Kenway]] adopted a new {{Wiki|Jolly Roger}} for his ship, the ''[[Jackdaw]]'', which was a skull encompassed by the Assassin insignia.<ref name="AC4">''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''</ref> Four years later, Edward would install a near-identical flag on the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]]'s flagship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]''.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 111|Episode 111]]</ref> | |||
The ships belonging to the [[gang]]s affiliated with the [[American Brotherhood of Assassins|Colonial Assassins]] during the [[Seven Years' War]] similarly flew flags bearing the insignia. In addition, gang members frequently hung large banners with the symbol in the areas they controlled, while their [[Gang headquarters|headquarters]] always flew at least one Assassin flag, which had to be cut down by the [[American Rite of the Templar Order|Colonial Templar]] [[Shay Cormac]] during his takeover of the bases.<ref name="ACRG">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]''</ref> | |||
[[File:ACIII-Remember 15.png|thumb|250px|left|Ratonhnhaké:ton drawing the insignia]] | |||
In 1769, the young [[Kanien'kehá:ka]] [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]] was shown the insignia in a [[Calculations|vision]] he experienced through his tribe's [[Crystal Balls|Crystal Ball]], which allowed the [[Isu]] [[Juno]] to communicate with him. After sketching the symbol in the sand and learning about its meaning from the [[Oiá:ner|Clan Mother]], Ratonhnhaké:ton understood that he had to seek out the Assassins to save his people from destruction, setting him on the path toward joining the Order.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Something to Remember]]</ref> | |||
===Victorian era=== | |||
By the [[Victorian era]], the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Brotherhood]] was quite discreet with their iconography and took to signifying their allegiance by the use of a [[Assassin ring|ring]] adorned with the Assassin insignia.<ref name="ACS">''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]] – [[Jack the Ripper (DLC)|Jack the Ripper]]'' – [[Autumn of Terror]]<br>↑ ''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]] – [[Jack the Ripper (DLC)|Jack the Ripper]]'' – [[Database: Elizabeth Stride]]<br>↑ ''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]] – [[Jack the Ripper (DLC)|Jack the Ripper]]'' – [[Database: Catherine Eddowes]]<br>↑ ''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]] – [[Jack the Ripper (DLC)|Jack the Ripper]]'' – [[The Mother of All Crimes]]</ref> | |||
===Modern times=== | |||
In 2012, while [[Desmond Miles]] searched for the [[Colosseum Vault]], he relied on several painted Assassin insignias to guide him through the catacombs underneath the [[Colosseum]]. These symbols were only visible using Eagle Vision.<ref name="ACB" /> | |||
==Other usages== | |||
Aside from its usage to mark Assassin locations, certain members of the Order elected to adorn their armor and clothing with the symbol, including [[Roshan]], [[Basim ibn Ishaq]],<ref name="ACMir" /> [[Mario Auditore]], his nephew Ezio Auditore,<ref name="AC2" /> [[Lo Sparviero]],<ref name="ACID">''[[Assassin's Creed: Identity]]''</ref> [[Shao Jun]],<ref name="ACCC">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]''</ref> [[Hattori Hanzō]],<ref name="ACMemories">''[[Assassin's Creed: Memories]]''</ref> [[Achilles Davenport]], [[John de la Tour]], Ratonhnhaké:ton,<ref name="AC3">''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''</ref> [[Aveline de Grandpré]],<ref name="AC3L">''[[Assassin's Creed III: Liberation]]''</ref> [[Nikolai Orelov]],<ref name="The Fall">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''</ref> and [[Saeko Mochizuki]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]'' – [[Surveillance]] – 18 December 2013: "The Osaka Brotherhood"</ref> | |||
While not as common, pieces of jewellery displaying the insignia were worn by a number of Assassins, such as Shao Jun's pendant,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]''</ref> and the aforementioned rings worn by initiates of the British Brotherhood.<ref name="ACS" /> In [[modern times]], certain Assassins also wore the insignia in the form of a [[tattoo]], including [[Daniel Cross]]<ref name="The Fall" /> and [[Kiyoshi Takakura]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]'' – [[Surveillance]] – 17 December 2013: "No Harm"</ref> | |||
==Trivia== | |||
;General | |||
*The [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine]] and [[Russian Brotherhood of Assassins|Russian Brotherhoods]]' sigils are unique in that they are vertically asymmetrical. Additionally, reflecting the Levantine branch's historical origins as adherents of {{Wiki|Nizari Isma'ilism}} that derived from [[Islam]]'s {{Wiki|Shia Islam|Shia}} school, the Levantine crest contains ornamental white {{Wiki|kufic}} on a red background in its center that translates to {{Wiki|Ali}}, [[Muhammad]]'s cousin and later son-in-law who ruled as the fourth {{Wiki|Rashidun Caliphate|Rashidun}} [[caliph]] and was also the first Shia {{Wiki|imam}}. | |||
*The [[Mongolian Brotherhood of Assassins|Mongolian Assassins]]' symbol uses a coin resembling {{Wiki|Ming dynasty coinage|currency}} used during [[China]]'s [[Ming dynasty]] which occurred much later than the period the insignia originated from. | |||
;''Assassin's Creed II'' | |||
*In the [[Sanctuary]], all of the statues had different variations of the Assassin insignia on their waists. | |||
*The [[cape]] worn during the [[Carnevale]] bore an emblem similar to the Assassin insignia. | |||
;''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' | |||
*The insignia could be seen on the back of the Seusenhofer armor and the [[Armor of Brutus]]. | |||
;''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' | |||
*As the Levantine Assassins' Mentor, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] wore a cloak clasp in the shape of the insignia adopted by the Roman Assassins during the Renaissance. His robes were also adorned by multiple symmetrical insignia.<ref name="Passing the Torch">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[Passing the Torch]]</ref> | |||
;''Assassin's Creed III'' | |||
*The outfits of both [[William Kidd]]<ref name="ACMemories" /> and [[Alonzo Batilla]]<ref name="ACP">''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]''</ref> featured the Assassin insignia; however, it is unknown if either of them possessed knowledge of the Brotherhood. | |||
*The lifts attached to the main mast of the ''[[Aquila]]'' had pulley handles shaped like the Assassin insignia.<ref name="AC3" /> | |||
==References== | |||
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{{GalleryBox|Assassin insignia}} | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
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{{Assassins nav}} | |||
[[Category:Assassin Brotherhood]] | |||
Latest revision as of 01:06, 25 May 2026
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Patience, brothers. Soon we will reveal the secrets of this painting. This article has been identified as being out of date. Please update the article to reflect recent releases and then remove this template once done. |
The insignia of the Assassin Order, though varying in design across different time periods and countries, held essentially the same shape and style of an eagle's head. Each variation represented the uniqueness of the Order's many sects and often reflected the cultural heritage of each guild.
As one of the Assassins' defining leitmotifs, the insignia has been used for centuries to adorn the Order's secret bases, equipment, and even the personal armor and robes of prominent Assassin figures. Its simple design renders it inconspicuous to ordinary citizens, yet to members of the Order, the symbol's meaning and long history make it instantly recognizable.
History[edit | edit source]
Antiquity[edit | edit source]
The inspiration for the insignia came from the Hidden Ones' co-founder Bayek, who carried an eagle skull necklace in remembrance of his late son Khemu. In 46 BCE, as Bayek and his wife Aya laid the foundations of the Hidden Ones, the former dropped the necklace onto the beach sand of Alexandria to signify the renouncement of his past. Aya picked up the skull and saw the imprint it had left in the sand, which became the basis for the Hidden Ones' insignia.[1]
Following some stylistic changes, a larger version of the symbol was painted in blue on the rooftop of the newly-founded Hidden Ones bureau in Memphis, marking its location and purpose to all who knew what the symbol stood for.[2] By 38 BCE, another bureau was established in the Klysma Quarry, also bearing the Hidden Ones' symbol on its roof.[3]
Middle Ages[edit | edit source]
This practice continued into the Middle Ages, as the insignia was used to prominently mark the entrances of Hidden Ones bureaus,[4][5] and could also be seen on the banners decorating the fortress of Alamut in Persia.[5] When the Hidden Ones were reformed as the Assassins during the Crusades, the design of the insignia remained virtually unchanged, and it retained its purpose of marking Assassin locations, including the fortress of Masyaf in Syria, which was adorned with banners displaying the symbol.[6]
Renaissance[edit | edit source]
During the Renaissance in Italy, the insignia was used on the mechanisms in the Assassin Tombs explored by Ezio Auditore, and on the banners and walls of Monteriggioni, the primary base of operations for the Italian Brotherhood.[7] It was also displayed on the banners hung in the Tiber Island headquarters in Rome.[8]
In order to hide their intention from the Borgia or other forces that were trying to stop them, Leonardo da Vinci invented a special invisible paint that only Assassins who were able to use Eagle Vision could detect, even at great distances. The paint was mostly used by Assassin scouts, usually drawing the symbol to mark a target house or item.[9] In Constantinople, Assassin Dens and ziplines had a small Assassin insignia drawn on top of them, while bomb-crafting stations were all painted with the Ottoman Assassins' own insignia.[10]
Age of Enlightenment[edit | edit source]
In the 18th century, many Assassins who became ship captains elected to fly flags bearing the insignia. After becoming affiliated with the Brotherhood in 1721, Edward Kenway adopted a new Jolly Roger for his ship, the Jackdaw, which was a skull encompassed by the Assassin insignia.[11] Four years later, Edward would install a near-identical flag on the Zhang Wei Union's flagship, the Fenghuang.[12]
The ships belonging to the gangs affiliated with the Colonial Assassins during the Seven Years' War similarly flew flags bearing the insignia. In addition, gang members frequently hung large banners with the symbol in the areas they controlled, while their headquarters always flew at least one Assassin flag, which had to be cut down by the Colonial Templar Shay Cormac during his takeover of the bases.[13]
In 1769, the young Kanien'kehá:ka Ratonhnhaké:ton was shown the insignia in a vision he experienced through his tribe's Crystal Ball, which allowed the Isu Juno to communicate with him. After sketching the symbol in the sand and learning about its meaning from the Clan Mother, Ratonhnhaké:ton understood that he had to seek out the Assassins to save his people from destruction, setting him on the path toward joining the Order.[14]
Victorian era[edit | edit source]
By the Victorian era, the British Brotherhood was quite discreet with their iconography and took to signifying their allegiance by the use of a ring adorned with the Assassin insignia.[15]
Modern times[edit | edit source]
In 2012, while Desmond Miles searched for the Colosseum Vault, he relied on several painted Assassin insignias to guide him through the catacombs underneath the Colosseum. These symbols were only visible using Eagle Vision.[8]
Other usages[edit | edit source]
Aside from its usage to mark Assassin locations, certain members of the Order elected to adorn their armor and clothing with the symbol, including Roshan, Basim ibn Ishaq,[5] Mario Auditore, his nephew Ezio Auditore,[7] Lo Sparviero,[16] Shao Jun,[17] Hattori Hanzō,[18] Achilles Davenport, John de la Tour, Ratonhnhaké:ton,[19] Aveline de Grandpré,[20] Nikolai Orelov,[21] and Saeko Mochizuki.[22]
While not as common, pieces of jewellery displaying the insignia were worn by a number of Assassins, such as Shao Jun's pendant,[23][24] and the aforementioned rings worn by initiates of the British Brotherhood.[15] In modern times, certain Assassins also wore the insignia in the form of a tattoo, including Daniel Cross[21] and Kiyoshi Takakura.[25]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- General
- The Levantine and Russian Brotherhoods' sigils are unique in that they are vertically asymmetrical. Additionally, reflecting the Levantine branch's historical origins as adherents of Nizari Isma'ilism that derived from Islam's Shia school, the Levantine crest contains ornamental white kufic on a red background in its center that translates to Ali, Muhammad's cousin and later son-in-law who ruled as the fourth Rashidun caliph and was also the first Shia imam.
- The Mongolian Assassins' symbol uses a coin resembling currency used during China's Ming dynasty which occurred much later than the period the insignia originated from.
- Assassin's Creed II
- In the Sanctuary, all of the statues had different variations of the Assassin insignia on their waists.
- The cape worn during the Carnevale bore an emblem similar to the Assassin insignia.
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- The insignia could be seen on the back of the Seusenhofer armor and the Armor of Brutus.
- Assassin's Creed: Revelations
- As the Levantine Assassins' Mentor, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad wore a cloak clasp in the shape of the insignia adopted by the Roman Assassins during the Renaissance. His robes were also adorned by multiple symmetrical insignia.[26]
- Assassin's Creed III
- The outfits of both William Kidd[18] and Alonzo Batilla[27] featured the Assassin insignia; however, it is unknown if either of them possessed knowledge of the Brotherhood.
- The lifts attached to the main mast of the Aquila had pulley handles shaped like the Assassin insignia.[19]
References[edit | edit source]
