Mark of Shame

The Mark of Shame.

Rtas 'Vadumee: "This armor suits you, but it cannot hide that mark."

Thel 'Vadamee: "Nothing ever will."

— Conversation between Vadumee and Vadamee after the latter was branded with the Mark of Shame, but given the rank of Arbiter.

The Mark of Shame is a brand given to those who have either disgraced or turned away from the Covenant. The Mark of Shame is permanently imprinted onto the bare chest of the disgraced being via a special branding iron. After being branded with the Mark of Shame, the being is executed soon thereafter out of sheer humility.

The only known exception to the execution tradition was the Sangheili Thel 'Vadam, formerly the Supreme Commander in charge of the protection of Installation 04. He became the Arbiter and was sent to eliminate the heretical movement led by Sesa 'Refumee over Threshold.

Tartarus holding the Mark of Shame brander.

It seems that an Arbiter's name is disregarded and is thus not mentioned due to the disgrace signified by the mark. Ironically, during the Great Schism, the Mark of Shame became a rallying symbol of the Covenant Separatists and a sign of deference to 'Vadam's honor, often being worn by rank-and-file Sangheili warriors.

Trivia

• The Mark of Shame is available as a multiplayer emblem in Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST.
• The Mark of Shame appeared as the symbol for the Heretic Skull in the Halo 3 multiplayer map Heretic.
• The Arbiter was the only known elite witnessed to be branded with the Mark of Shame.

List of appearances

• Halo 2 (First appearance)
• Halo 3
• Halo 3: ODST