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What are some symbols/iconography/etc. that are specific to the Ecclesiarchy/Adeptus Ministorum? I know many symbols for SoB, Inquisition, IG, SM, but haven't come across very many just solely for the Ecclesiarchy that weren't mainly SoB.

The Aquila, skulls, the Fleur de Lys (for sisters only).

One symbol I ran across was similar to the Inquisition's symbol.

The I symbol, but between the top and center (not reaching the top) is a circle with a skull in it, and five spikes on each side, or some other variation of the same.



that's the Adeptus ministorum's symbol. Dont' confuse it with the Inquisition's symbol, which is this:



They are quite similar, but the extra spikes (I've seen a few variations on them, in the simpler church symbols they were simply additional tines, five lines instead of three, while as you can see in the above image in more complex symbols they form other images, like thunderbolts) tell the Ministorum apart from the Inquisition.

Thanks Melissa. Yeah, the only non-SoB Ecclesiarchy symbol I've found so far is the same one as you bring up: the circle-skull-stick combo similar to the Inquisition's. And even that's been used by the SoB. Any others out there?

All general Imperium symbols are also ecclesiarchy symbols as well. The aquila, the skull, statues of the Emperor, etc.

Here's an image of an Imperial Cathedral for example:



The aquila features prominently, as do the saints (Sanguiniius for example is a popular saint, being the only primarch who was made a saint).

The Brazier of Holy Flame is also an ecclesiarchal symbol as well as a weapon, as only ecclesiarchy members use it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
There's also the Corseque, both a weapon and a symbol of authority:



Again the I with five spikes and a skull except as a staff / mace.

Thanks again Melissia!

Melissia wrote:All general Imperium symbols are also ecclesiarchy symbols as well. The aquila, the skull, statues of the Emperor, etc.

I realize this, but I was hoping for more symbols specific to just the Ecclesiarchy and not the IoM as a whole. You've given me a few others to think about and it is greatly appreciated. If there are any others out there, I'd be happy to know about them.

I've never understood the cross symbol in 40K.

Is it a reference to Christianity? Or has it got another meaning in 40K?

Lexicanum gives us this:

Yak9UT wrote:I've never understood the cross symbol in 40K.

Is it a reference to Christianity? Or has it got another meaning in 40K?

There are no crosses in 40k. If you mean the I and three lines as seen above, that represents the Inquisition and its three main branches, Malleus, Hereticus and Xenos. As for why the Ecclesiarchy have it as a symbol too, dunno. It seems a lot of offices in the Imperium like the letter I, including the Arbites:

Sturmtruppen wrote:

Yak9UT wrote:I've never understood the cross symbol in 40K.

Is it a reference to Christianity? Or has it got another meaning in 40K?

There are no crosses in 40k.

BT
Tactical sign of the assault squads of a SM chapter
Superheavy decal sheet...campaign/army badge

yep, no crosses....

1hadhq wrote:BT
Tactical sign of the assault squads of a SM chapter
Superheavy decal sheet...campaign/army badge

yep, no crosses....

Okay, let's look at those. BT:



Based on the same cross as the Knights Templar. And since the KT were Christian soldiers, and the BT are based on them, that's the only link.

Assault Squads:



To me, it looks like the symbol of the Fascist Arrow Cross party turned 45 degrees.

As for the campaign badges, I can't find any images of those, but if you can find me any which look anything like the traditional Christian cross, then I'll stand corrected.

Pssst. Melissia, the Red Templars use it as well. " The Chapter's badge is a white fleur-de-lis (the ancient emblem of the French monarchy) on a red background. "

Zakiriel wrote:Pssst. Melissia, the Red Templars use it as well.

I don't give a damn. It's the Sisters symbol, not the Red Templars.

Sturmtruppen wrote:

1hadhq wrote:
again, Superheavy imperial vehicle decal sheet ( BB or stormlord kit ) ...campaign/army badge

As for the campaign badges, I can't find any images of those, but if you can find me any which look anything like the traditional Christian cross, then I'll stand corrected.

Can't find? Go buy a baneblade and you have one to look at

Plus, insignium astartes, page 63 army badges. At least 2 crosses there.
Not sure why they have to be christian ones. The cross is an old symbol and may have changed a bit in a fictional universe 38. millenia from now.

This is just guessing, but maybe the fixation with the letter I is because its the Imperium of Man?

Looking forward to the injunction filed in Terran high court of trademark infringement of the SoB's symbol (?) by the Red Templars chapter of the Adeptus Astartes.
Being as they are more recent chapter I don't see why they could not change it to a white cross instead? Would make them look more Knights of Malta-esque.

It's not a letter I, it's a pillar. The various Adepta are the pillars that support and elevate the Imperium.

Sturmtruppen wrote:Lexicanum gives us this:

Spoiler:

Yep, that's exactly it. You can see it on countless Ecclesiarchy miniatures, too, including every single Sister of Battle (the "Chaplet Ecclesiasticus" dangling from their waists).
I'm guessing the spiky halo stands for divinity, whereas the skull would be either the Emperor or Mankind as a whole.

1hadhq wrote:BT
Tactical sign of the assault squads of a SM chapter
Superheavy decal sheet...campaign/army badge
yep, no crosses....

The Rosarius - commonly worn by high-ranking members of the Church, but also given to Space Marine Chaplains as a symbolic link between Ecclesiarchy and Astartes - is a cross as well.

PS: Isn't the Assault sign four arrows pointing to four different directions? Unless some Chapters have a variation of it going on ... I vaguely recall shoulder pauldron bits with alternate symbols being sold.

Melissia wrote:

Spoiler:

that's the Adeptus ministorum's symbol.

Actually, I do believe that would be a (potential) icon for the Ordo Hereticus. It has the three Inquisitorial bars.

Another Maltese Cross on Order of the Valorous Heart:-

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Order_of_the_Valorous_Heart

Realistically it'll just be 'need a symbol for zealous crusaders hmmmm' but I just had a quick look on Wikipedia and it's got some (citation needed) claim about the eight points representing the eight courageous virtues... dunno about that? If it was something like that then I guess that they'd want a shape that didn't look remotely like an eight pointed star....

As to OP, I've been doing a lot of digging into the Adeptus Ministorum of late and the only consistent symbol I've come across is its specific Adeptus Icon (as already shown), with slight variations here and there: it might emphasise the ][ over the starburst or emphasise the starburst over the ][ (see Ecclesiarchy Iron Halos or the starburst halo around the Saint's head for the Order's banner in the above link).

EDIT: Can't find out why ten points on the starburst, or whether it would actually be twelve if there were two more spikes N and S, that you can't see as they're merging into the ][ on their Icon?

If ten then the ten fingers (five on each side) found on the Sacred Human Form? They also still use a tithe (literally: a tenth) system, so ten must have some religious significance to the IoM.

tsz52 wrote:Realistically it'll just be 'need a symbol for zealous crusaders hmmmm' but I just had a quick look on Wikipedia and it's got some (citation needed) claim about the eight points representing the eight courageous virtues... dunno about that?

Yeah, I too doubt GW gave it as much thought (especially given that the internet wasn't as common "back then" so research on any given subject was a lot more difficult than it is today) - but it would still fit. I like the idea, and I actually remember having read about these eight virtues once.
Here's an article that popped up on the fly: http://www.netpages.free-online.co.uk/gms/eight.htm

tsz52 wrote:If it was something like that then I guess that they'd want a shape that didn't look remotely like an eight pointed star....

This actually brings me to the idea of the Chaos star being a "mirror icon" (or at least being interpreted as such) symbolizing eight sins...

tsz52 wrote:Can't find out why ten points on the starburst, or whether it would actually be twelve if there were two more spikes N and S, that you can't see as they're merging into the ][ on their Icon?
If ten then the ten fingers (five on each side) found on the Sacred Human Form? They also still use a tithe (literally: a tenth) system, so ten must have some religious significance to the IoM.

The tithe actually started out as a government tax, it just "seemed to be a good idea" to take 10% back then, I guess. When tithing from planets, the Imperium doesn't really do it that way but instead requires the payment of a specific tax as determined by the Administratum, but I figure they simply stuck with the term because GW thought it sounded more grimdark and because the IoM fancies medievalspeech.

That's not to say that your assessment isn't just as viable, of course. I'm just used to the halo having eight points, and any other number simply being artistic license.

Melissia wrote:

Zakiriel wrote:Pssst. Melissia, the Red Templars use it as well.

I don't give a damn. It's the Sisters symbol, not the Red Templars.

Yup. And the Red Templars.

Well, as of the last Codex, it's now officially known as the Sigil Sororitas.

Maybe the Red Templars are just big fans.

Lynata wrote:Well, as of the last Codex, it's now officially known as the Sigil Sororitas.

Maybe the Red Templars are just big fans.

Apparently they're sisters fanboys.

Maybe they're transgender marines?

The Administratum has a stylized lower case "A", worn over the left breast.

The Navy has the "I" with wings and the "I" with ten spikes (five on either side) which is a combination of the Navy iconography and the Fleet Houses.

"I" with four lightning bolts pointing NW, NE, SE and SW isthe symbol of naval fighter squadrons/carriers.

"I" with two rings around it is the Space Stations icon.

"I" with an arrow sticking out to either side is for orbital transports.

That's all I could find.

All from The Gothic and the Eldritch: The Collected Sketches of Jes Goodwin.

Melissia wrote:

Lynata wrote:Well, as of the last Codex, it's now officially known as the Sigil Sororitas.
Maybe the Red Templars are just big fans.

Apparently they're sisters fanboys.
Maybe they're transgender marines?

I honestly had to hold back not to insert a "FeMarine" reference in my earlier post, too.

On that note, it brings up interesting speculation on why they may sport an iconography like that. Seems the studio never really came up with a lot of fluff detailing their background, but I suppose a possible explanation would be that this is one of the few Marine Chapters that's more religious than the norm, entertaining a more amiable relationship to the Ecclesiarchy? Were they possibly founded under Vandire's rule with the specific intent to breed a Chapter of religious Marines as part of the High Lord's grand scheme? The Space Marines and the Sisters of Battle share a mutual respect for their combat prowess, it's "only" their religious views that brings them into conflict with each other - so if there is an Astartes Chapter truly revering the Emperor as a God (which may potentially exist, at least judging by the Marine fluff textbox in the 2E SoB Codex), wouldn't that make them perfect allies to the Orders Militant?

I realize that the most likely explanation would be that some GW guy didn't notice there already was a faction using this symbol (goes to show how much some of them care), but it's fun to come up with ideas.

My guess is laziness.

I agree it was probably laziness. Hanlon's Razor reminds us, Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."