Mandalorians are a famous warrior people in the Star Wars universe, known for their distinctive armor adorned with various symbols. These symbols represent key concepts in Mandalorian culture, such as strength, honor, and loyalty.
Looking at the symbols helps us understand Mandalorian beliefs and history. From ancient clans and houses to modern bounty hunters like Din Djarin, these symbols connect Mandalorians to their roots.
This article explores the most important Mandalorian symbols and their meanings, providing a comprehensive look at their cultural importance.
The Mandalorian crest (the mythosaur skull)
The Mandalorian crest Meaning
The Mandalorian crest was a picture of a skull from a mythical creature called the mythosaur, This skull symbol represented the leader of all Mandalorian clans, the planet Mandalore, and the Mandalorian people themselves.
The Mandalorian crest was first based on the skull of a master trainer named Jaing, it was originally used as the symbol of an ancient Mandalorian clan known for training warriors, they adopted it to honor the legendary trainer Jaing. Since Jaing’s species had a skull that looked like a male mythosaur skull, all modern Mandalorians see the crest as representing the mythosaur.
Another version of the skull symbol was combined with the insignia of the Mandalorian Crusaders to make the crest of the later Neo-Crusaders, the Mandalorian starship company MandalMotors also used the mythosaur skull as their logo.
Over time, the mythosaur skull became a common symbol among Mandalorians, used to decorate their armor, equipment, and banners. Some individuals even got the skull symbol tattooed on themselves.
Why Not All Mandalorians Use The Mandalorian crest Symbol
It is rare to see Mandalorians display the The Mandalorian crest symbol, this symbol means the person is connected to the planet Mandalore itself, so it is likely only used by the Armorer or potential rulers of all Mandalore. Other Mandalorians wear symbols tied to the history of their individual clans. As a Foundling, Din Djarin did not belong to a Mandalorian clan so he did not have a logo.
This changed in season 1 of The Mandalorian when Din got a symbol of a Mudhorn creature forged onto his armor, this represented the moment he and Grogu became connected.
In season 3, Grogu also got the same Mudhorn symbol on his armor piece, despite individual logos and symbols, the The Mandalorian crest symbol connects all Mandalorians together, this symbol will probably be seen more often now because after the events in season 3 of the TV show “The Mandalorian”, the Mandalorians took back control of the planet Mandalore from the Empire.
The Mudhorn Signet
The Mudhorn signet holds deep meaning for Din Djarin and Grogu, after Din defeated the rampaging Mudhorn to protect the village on Arvala-7, he had its head signet forged onto his armor, this new symbol represented the moment when Din’s path became intertwined with Grogu’s, their destinies were now bound together.
The Mudhorn signet commemorates Din’s commitment to reunite Grogu with his own kind, it also marks the beginning of their father-son relationship with Din caring for Grogu like his own child.
During season 3, Grogu followed Din’s lead by getting the same Mudhorn emblem stamped onto his own armor piece, the rondel dyn. This matching insignia visually displays the inseparable bond between the two.
While Mandalorians traditionally wear symbols tied to their individual clans, Din and Grogu did not belong to any clan. As a Foundling rescued by Mandalorians as a child, Din had no clan of his own. The Mudhorn became their shared symbolic signet, representing Din Djarin and Grogu’s status as a clan unto themselves – an unwavering partnership stronger than any family ties.
Death Watch / Clan Vizsla Symbol
The symbol used by the Death Watch group came from Clan Vizsla’s family emblem, Pre Vizsla became the leader of Death Watch and changed the symbol.
The Death Watch symbol shows a stylized hawk diving down, the hawk is colored red, this hawk picture represents Death Watch’s goal to make Mandalore a warrior culture again under Pre Vizsla’s leadership.
When Pre Vizsla became the leader of Death Watch, he eagerly adopted this Clan Vizsla sigil as the symbol for his separatist group.
The Death Watch symbol thus represents the violent and radical nature of the group, as they sought to reinstate Mandalore’s warlike ways in opposition to the pacifist government.
Over time, the Death Watch symbol has been depicted with variations in color including red, blue, and a simple white shade as seen in “The Mandalorian” TV series.
The Emblem Of The Mandalorian Crusaders
This circular emblem was used by the Mandalorian Crusaders group, they were the first known Mandalorians, they were founded by Mandalore The First at least 24,000 years before the Battle of Yavin.
The symbol looks similar to the Christian Crown of Thorns, it represents the Mandalorian warrior culture and their duty to carry on Mandalorian traditions.
This circular symbol has sharp, jagged edges, these edges are meant to look like the spikes and horns on early Mandalorian armor, this shows how fierce the warriors were.
The pointy parts of the ring symbol stand for the weapons used by Mandalorians, the circular shape itself represents cycles of power, war and the duty of each new generation to continue Mandalorian culture.
The Crusaders were a warlike group, they tried to conquer other worlds, to them combat was like a religious practice and they treated their weapons as sacred objects.
In summary, the Mandalorian Crusaders’ circle symbol showed their warrior beliefs and endless cycles of conquest. The jagged design made it look fierce like their armor. The symbol meant they had to uphold Mandalorian traditions over many generations.
The Emblem Of The Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders
The Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders were an ancient group of Mandalorian warriors who appeared during the time of the Mandalorian Wars, they were led by Mandalore the Ultimate and sought to unite the Mandalorian clans to wage a “crusade” against the Galactic Republic.
The Neo-Crusaders wore an armor which featured a circular emblem with a stylized Mandalorian skull at the center, this symbolized the authority of the Mandalore to interpret the will of the war gods, the sharp points on the emblem represented the spikes on their armor and weapons.
The Neo-Crusaders wanted glory and honor, they wanted to test their skills against strong opponents, they started the Mandalorian Wars to find a huge challenge that matched their fighting abilities, but in the end Revan and the Jedi Order defeated the Neo-Crusaders’ campaign.
after losing, the Mandalorian clans separated but the Neo-Crusader symbol and beliefs continued, later generations of Mandalorians were inspired by this to look for new crusades and challenges.
The Jaig Eyes Symbol
Captain Rex from the Clone Wars TV show had special markings on his helmet. These markings were called “jaig eyes.” Jaig eyes is a symbol from the Mandalorian culture.
The jaig eyes symbol looks like a pair of eyes, it represents respect and strength. Leaders of Mandalorian clans would give this honor to very brave warriors, they would draw the jaig eyes onto the warrior’s helmet to show respect.
When the Clone Army was created, Mandalorian warriors helped train the clones. They passed down Mandalorian traditions to the clones, including the jaig eyes symbol. The Mandalorians decided Captain Rex deserved this great honor for his courage during training on Kamino.
Rex was one of only two clones in the main Star Wars stories to receive the jaig eyes marking. The other was Commander Blackout, who earned it in special operations training. The jaig eyes symbol is very rare for regular clones.
In the Mandalorian language of Mando’a, jaig eyes means “shriek-hawk eyes.” Shriek-hawks were vicious birds on the planet Mandalore known for loudly shrieking. The Mandalorian warriors respected the shriek-hawks’ fierceness, so they used the birds’ eyes as a symbol of honor. The jaig eyes represents that Captain Rex showed the strength and resolve of the shriek-hawk during his training. That is why the Mandalorian trainers awarded him this prestigious cultural symbol on his helmet.
Jaster Mereel’s Sigil (The Symbol On boba Fett’s Armor)
The symbol on Boba Fett’s chest armor is a personal one, the emblem of the Mandalorian protector Jaster Mereel. In the Star Wars Legends story, Jaster saved a young Jango Fett (Boba’s father) after Jango’s family was killed on the planet Concord Dawn, Jaster adopted and trained Jango until radicals from the group Death Watch killed Jaster, Jango wore Jaster’s emblem on his armor to honor his mentor.
While this story is not official canon, the Disney+ shows have included parts of it. When meeting Din Djarin, Boba Fett called his father a “foundling” which matches Jango’s background of being adopted. The show also had some code that matched Jaster Mereel’s name. And Concord Dawn is still a real place in the current Star Wars canon from the show Rebels, so the show seems to be setting up making Jaster’s story official canon.
Jaster Mereel’s emblem represents Boba Fett’s personal connection to his father Jango and the man who raised him, Jaster. With the Book of Boba Fett series showing Boba returning to Mandalorian culture, these meaningful symbols are likely to become even more important.
Clan Eldar Symbol
Clan Eldar is a Mandalorian clan appeared in season 3 of the show “The Mandalorian”, they joined Bo-Katan Kryze’s side and fight against the Galactic Empire. Clan Eldar members wear black, green and orange armor, some members were part of the Children of the Watch group.
The leonid creature on the Clan Eldar symbol signifies qualities of ferocious loyalty, skill, and combat prowess that the Mandalorians of Clan Eldar valued highly, the symbol reflects the clan’s dedication to the Mandalorian cause and their admiration for the hunting abilities and qualities of the depicted creature which they found worthy to represent their house.
Other symbols :
many other Mandalorian symbols and their specific meanings and histories remain mysterious in current Star Wars canon, here are some of them:
Clan Kryze Symbol
Clan Rook Symbol
Clan Wren Symbol
Journeyman Protectors Symbol
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are Mandalorian symbols specifically associated with certain skills or professions, here are some of them:
– Bounty Hunters: Jaig eyes markings, green highlights.
– Blacksmiths/Armorers: Likely had unique symbols for their craft (not depicted in canon).
– Warriors/Soldiers: Mythosaur skull, red accents.
– Leaders/Nobles: Clan sigils, gold accents.
– Law Enforcement: Blue armor/emblems of Protectors faction.
Yes, there are symbolic meanings associated with specific colors used in Mandalorian emblems, armor designs, and other cultural elements. For example, red is linked to the Mandalorian warrior culture and bloodshed on the battlefield and red beskar armor was reserved for veteran warriors and clan leaders who had seen extensive combat.
Yes, the Mandalorians use their symbols on their buildings, weapons and other objects, these symbols represent their history as warriors and their clan groups.
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Tony Allen is a writer for LightsabersBlog.com, a website focused on everything related to lightsabers. Tony grew up in Austin, Texas, and went on to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas. Passionate about science fiction and fantasy, Tony has always been deeply involved in hobbies like tabletop RPGs, sci-fi novels, miniature painting, and crafting. This love for creative pursuits drives Tony to write about lightsabers in a way that ignites the imagination of fans around the world.
