Honour Badges (Space Marines)

Space Marines are awarded Honour Badges of distinction for all manner of heroic deed or worthy action. The principal of awarding badges for honours won in battle has always placed a major role amongst the various fighting forces of the Imperium. Within the Adeptus Astartes is has become vital in serving to reinforce the bonds of kinship and common purpose showed by the Chapter's battle-brothers. Though some honours are simply painted onto the armour, others are elaborate carvings, though all are highly regarded by the recipient and his Brother-Marines. Each Space Marine Chapter has its own variations of awards, ennoblements and honour badges, according to its history and traditions. The badges displayed below are amongst the most common accolades and see use in almost all Chapters:
 * Iron Halo - This simple badge has its origins in the earliest days of the Imperium. Often painted onto a Marine's armour as a red badge, the Iron Halo is the insignia for an exceptional leader and strategist. This award is given to those battle-brothers who demonstrates exceptional initiative. It is displayed on the shoulder armour or helmet of the Brother-Marine as a mark of rank.




 * Iron Skull - A traditional badge of ancient origin, the Iron Skull is awarded for leadership. It is the Codex insignia for a Sergeant and is often displayed on the shoulder armour or helmet of a Space Marine of this rank. Classical convention is to represent the Iron Skull as a red device.




 * Imperial Laurel - Deeds of valour leading to great victory are rewarded with the Imperial Laurel. A battle-brother who bears this honour has literally won his laurels. The wreath is often worn as a crown or sculpted onto the Brother-Marine's helmet. The Wreathed Skull is a common form of the honour. The Codex demands that Company and Chapter Standards be born into battle only by warriors awarded the Imperial Laurel.




 * Purity Seal - The Purity Seal is not so much an honour as a blessing. Before a campaign the Chapter's Chaplains pass through the ranks chanting litanies and invocations. Honoured individuals are marked by the Chaplains for special blessings recorded on the parchment streamers and affixed to their armour with the great wax seal.




 * Marksman's Honour - The Marksman's Honour is a device used to recognize those that perform acts of remarkably accurate shooting or consistent performance with targeting. The Codex insists that those warriors who prove their combat accuracy should be singled out so that their skill may be instantly commanded. Within certain Chapters it is believed that the Marksman's Honour badges are believed to have been forged by encasing in gold bolter shell cases fired in battle by their respective Primarchs themselves.




 * The Imperialis - The winged skull badge that is the Imperialis has its origins in the great Horus Heresy. It was adopted as the campaign badge of the Loyalist Legions during the Imperium-wide conflict that was the heresy. Since then it has become the honour of righteous victory. Most often the chest armour of the recipient is carved into the great winged skull but it can also appear on the banners and finials.




 * Skull and Motto - In addition to the specific badge of the Iron Skull, there are many other icons and emblems which incorporate the skull. As honours these often have a multitude of uses and meanings. Often combined with simple mottoes, the skull honour can be seen on shoulder pads, helmets, kneepads and even on bolter cases or vehicles.




 * Prime Helix - The Prime Helix is the emblem of the Apothecaries. The bright red design represents both the gene-seed itself and to some extent the sacrifice every Space Marine is prepared to make to ensure the Chapter's future.




 * Machina Opus - This is the mark of a Tech-Priest Adept. It is awarded to each Techmarine as he completes his mysterious training with the Adeptus Mechanicus on Mars. Bearers of the Machina Opus are accorded great respect by the Tech-Priests and they alone are allowed free passage through the Ring of Iron and into the great workshops of the Martian Hive.




 * Crux Terminatus - This is one of the most famous of all Space Marine icons. Only the honoured veterans of a Space Marien Chapter fight in suits of [[Terminator