Mandalorian Mysteries: The Icons of

Mandalore

In our last installment, we discussed what makes Mandalorian characters and culture so attractive
to Star Wars fans. If we dive further into the culture as its written in the Expanded Universe, we
find that Mandalorians attach great significance to the icons and imagery of their culture. From
the first Mandalorian Crusades to the resurgent Mandalorian Death Watch, events and changes in
Mandalorian culture were marked often times by specific symbols and icons. Come take a
journey with me as we investigate some of the more well-known Mandalorian icons.
The symbol of the Mandalorian Crusaders.

Mandalorian Crusaders (approx. 7000 BBY) were the first documented establishment of
Mandalorians. Little is known about the specific origins of this symbol, however, it can be seen
adorning the armor of Mandalore the Indomitable, as well as early images on the mask of his
predecessor Mandalore the Ultimate. Mandalorian fans can hope that some future reference book
may touch upon the origins of this ancient Mandalorian symbol.

The symbol of the Mandalorian Neo Crusaders is the first recorded use of the skull image.

Mandalorian Neo Crusaders (3978 BBY) were the more organized Mandalorian troops under the
reign of Mandalore the Ultimate. In this symbol we see the original barbed circlet of the early
Crusaders, but we also see a new skull shaped symbol added. We know that a major goal of
Mandalore the Ultimate was the admittance of galactic species outside the original Taung
progenitor species. Together with his Field Marshal Cassus Fett, Mandalore the Ultimate paved
the way for the Mandalorian culture to survive the millennia. Currently, the Neo Crusader
symbol is the first known use of a skull in Mandalorian iconography. What is the significance of
the skull? It looks very similar to the t-visor helmets of the Neo Crusaders, and it may even been
a representation of the Taung skull. This is only conjecture however, but it is a great mystery that
may one day be answered.

Symbol of the True Mandalorians, most notably those of Jaster Mareel.

True Mandalorians (approx. 729 BBY) were the name of the Mandalorian warrior clans after the
Mandalorian Excision of 730 BBY. This particular symbol was used by the True Mandalore
Jaster Mareel during the Mandalorian Civil War. Unfortunately, we do not have a start date for
this symbols use, but we do know that no canon references exist for its use beyond the battle of
Galidraan in 44 BBY. This symbol is difficult to break down within Mandalorian history, due to
its departure from earlier known symbols used by Mandalores. Is this symbol a precursor to the
Mandalorian skull symbol worn by Boba Fett? It does bear the tusk-like appendages similar to
the skull used by Mandalorians in the Clone Wars and post-Clone Wars era, but outside of that
there is little similarity.

The most commonly used symbol associated with Mandalorians, also known as the Kyrbes.

Mandalorian Krybes (unknown) is probably the most prolific symbol of the Mandalorians and
also a topic of much conjecture. Its origins are obscure, and there are several camps on the origin
of the symbol. The first camp states that the skull is that of a Bantha, and while I cant put my
finger on the origin of this campthe skull symbol itself looks nothing like that of a Bantha. The
second camp states that the symbol pays homage to an ancient Mandalorian training master,
which is backed up in the Star Wars Insider article; The History of the Mandalorians by Abel
G. Pea. Finally, the third camp states that the symbol is based on the skulls of ancient
Mythosaurs, city-sized reptiles that dominated the surface of early Mandalore before the
arrival of the Taung species.
Duchess Satines earrings look suspiciously similar to the tusks on the Mandalorian Krybes.
The symbol of Clan Vizsla, adopted as the sigil of the Mandalorian Death Watch.

Mandalorian Death Watch (approx. 60 BBY) adopted the clan sigil of their leader, Tor Vizsla as
their symbol of choice. Known as the Secret Mandalore, Tor Viszla and future Death Watch
leaders would use this symbol to separate their group from those faithful to the True
Mandalorians of Jaster Mareel. The Clan Vizsla symbol was based on a Shriek-Hawk in full
dive, and was colored blue under the leadership of Pre Vizsla during the Clone Wars. This
symbol saw a resurgence in use as the Death Watch found new life under the leadership of Lorka
Gedyc in 19 BBY, however it is unknown if the symbol survived the Death Watchs demise in
approximately 2 ABY.

Jaig Eyes were the traditioal symbol of bravery in combat for Mandalorian warriors.
Jaig Eyes or jaigalaar la surhaii se (shrek-hawk eyes) in mandoa were bestowed on worthy
Mandalorians who had performed particular acts of bravery, or distinguished themselves in
battle. This symbol was normally worn on the helmet, above the t-visor and was presented by the
clan leader. During the Clone Wars the symbol was passed down to the Clones by Mandalorian
trainers, and could be seen adoring the helmets of several clones. One of the most notable clones
with Jaig Eyes was Captain Rex of the 501st Legion. There were several styles of Jaig Eyes seen
in the Expanded Universe; the above image comes directly from a pre-production image of the
Boba Fett costume created by Joe Johnston, but was abandoned prior to filming The Empire
Strikes Back.

The diamond symbol or Iron Heart is shared between both the warrior and pacifist factions.

The Mandalorian Diamond or Iron Heart is a traditional symbol that dates back to before the
Mandalorian Excision of 730 BBY. Used by Mandalorian warriors, and the pacifist New
Mandalorians, the symbols meaning has never fully been explained in canon. Does it reference
the unconquered iron heart of the Mandalorian culture? Or is the meaning more
subtle? Regardless, the symbol is used throughout the architecture of New Mandalorian society,
civilian attire, and police equipment. I often ask myself how a pacifist culture so visually
connected to its warrior past could stay pacifist. All it took was well-timed events to set in
motion a return to Mandalores warrior ways.