Mark of Shame

"This armor suits you, but it cannot hide that mark."

— Rtas 'Vadumee

"Nothing ever will"

— Thel Vadamee

Tartarus holding the Mark brander

The Mark of Shame

The Mark of Shame is a tattoo-like mark given to those who have either disgraced or turned away from the Covenant. The Mark of Shame is imprinted permanently onto the bare chest of the being by means of branding heated metal.

After being branded with it, the being is executed soon thereafter out of sheer humility, perhaps harnessing the last bit of honored dignity they can draw up. The only known exception of this tradition was Thel 'Vadam the Supreme Commander in charge of the protection of Installation 04. He became the Arbiter in order to settle the act of Heresy of Sesa 'Refumee on Threshold.

Trivia

• The Mark of Shame is available as a Multiplayer Emblem in Halo 2 and Halo 3.
• If you look closely, the Mark of Shame can be seen on the Elites' armor on the Halo 3 Campaign, perhaps out of deference and respect for their current Arbiter. Or perhaps they all have broken a sacred oath to the Covenant given by their forefathers and their forefathers' forefathers before them to protect the Covenant and they are in shame.
• It also seems that the Arbiter's name means nothing and is not mentioned due to the disgrace signified by the mark.