Space Marine Standards
Standards are ceremonial objects of the Space Marine Chapters, bearing the symbol of the Chapter and marked with sacred motifs and the battle honours gained in past wars. They are revered as the embodiments of the honour and fighting spirit of the Companies and the Chapter. Standards are sometimes carried into battle.
Normally they are hung in the Reclusiam of the Chapter's fortress-monastery. Many of these standards are ancient, having been carried in battle by generations of Marines.2
Standards are carried into battle by a chosen Standard Bearer, who is part of the Command Squad.
Contents
Chapter Banner
The Chapter Banner is the physical manifestation of Chapter's honour. Marines accompanying the standard bearer will furiously prevent the banner from falling to the enemy. Chapter banners are a source of fierce pride for any chapter, taken into battle only when the Space Marine Chapter Master takes to the field, or when a large part of a chapter is deployed to battle. Chapter banners are said to be created on Holy Terra and given to a chapter upon its founding.
Known Chapter Banners
Banner of Macragge
The Chapter Banner of the Ultramarines, is as old as the Chapter itself; it was presented to Roboute Guilliman by the Emperor during the Great Crusade. The banner records the campaign history of the Ultramarines, and is only carried into battle when the entire Chapter fights as one. The bearer of the banner is given the title of Ancient.1
Tall and intricate in detail, it chiefly shows a gold Ultramarines symbol overlaid on a field of blue. It is made of unknown material that is fireproof and able to seal rents and tears made in the fabric in such a manner that the wounds cannot be afterwards detected. The staff of the banner is made from adamantium, and at last sighting appeared scored and pitted as if it had been splashed with acid. It is enscribed with the names of all 77 Chapter Masters of the Ultramarines, from Guilliman to Marneus Calgar, as well as devices noting every major victory the Ultramarines have won in their long history.1
The Banner of Macragge has endured long periods of safekeeping, rather than display, for various reasons. The most recent of these was the 200 years it spent secured and unflown after the Battle of Macragge; Lord Calgar declared that it would not be flown again until the Ultramarines Chapter was a full strength and fully recovered from the casualties and damage inflicted in that campaign.1
Known Bearers of the Banner of Macragge
- Ancient Galatan - Bearer during the Corinthian Crusade.
- Ancient Helveticus - Bearer during the Battle of Macragge.
- Ancient Tortalus - Current Chapter Banner Bearer.1
Company Standard
Similar to the Chapter banner, the Company Standard represents the honour of a particular company and will bolster the morale abilities of nearby Space Marines.
Sacred standard
The sacred standard embodies the faith and resolution of the Space Marines, bolstering the resolve of nearby Marines. Sacred standards are only carried by standard bearers within a Reclusiam squad.
Sources
- 1:Chapter Approved 2001
- 2:Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, p. 137
- Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition)
- Warhammer 40,000: Wargear
