The Dark Mark

• Type: Dark Magic, Magical Brand, Magical Sign
• Owners: Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters (inner circle)
• Maker: Lord Voldemort

The Dark Mark is the symbol of Lord Voldemort and his followers. It depicts a skull with a serpent emerging from its mouth. The symbol manifests in two distinct forms: a magical brand on the inner left forearm of a Death Eater, and a colossal sign conjured in the sky. The brand on the arm appears as a scar-like marking. Its appearance changes based on Lord Voldemort's power and proximity. When he is weak or absent, it may appear as a faint, livid red scar, as seen on the arm of Igor Karkaroff after Voldemort's first fall. When Voldemort is active or at full power, the Mark becomes jet-black and clear, as if freshly branded. When touched by Voldemort, it is said to burn and turn an even darker black. The version conjured in the sky is a vast and terrifying spectacle. It is described as a “colossal skull, composed of what looked like emerald stars, with a serpent protruding from its mouth like a tongue.” It hangs eerily in the air, a visible and terrifying announcement of the Death Eaters' presence.

The two forms of the Dark Mark have different but related functions, both central to Voldemort's control over his followers and his campaign of terror.

• The Brand on the Arm:
  • Irreversible Bond: The Dark Mark is a permanent magical brand given to members of Voldemort's inner circle. It signifies their allegiance and binds them to his service.
  • Summoning Device: Lord Voldemort can press his wand to any Death Eater's Mark, causing all other Marks to burn and turn black. This acts as a summons, obliging every marked follower to immediately Apparate to his side.
  • Status Indicator: The Mark acts as a connection to Voldemort's vitality and power. It darkens as he regains strength and fades when he is weakened. The burning sensation alerts the Death Eaters to their master's activity or his call.
  • Magical Key: The Mark can function as a key to bypass certain powerful enchantments. For example, the magical barrier at Malfoy Manor could only be passed by those bearing the Dark Mark.
• The Sign in the Sky:
  • Terror Tactic: Conjured by the incantation `Morsmordre`, this form of the Dark Mark was used during the First Wizarding War to mark sites where Death Eaters had committed murder. Its appearance was intended to spread fear and panic throughout the wizarding community.
  • Sign of Presence: Casting the Mark serves as a declaration that Death Eaters are present and have acted in the name of Lord Voldemort.

During the First Wizarding War, the Dark Mark was a symbol of terror, frequently cast over houses where murders had been committed. After Voldemort's first downfall, the brands on his followers' arms faded but did not disappear, serving as a permanent reminder of their past allegiance. The Mark made its first dramatic reappearance in thirteen years at the 1994 Quidditch World Cup, where it was cast by Barty Crouch Jr. using Harry Potter's stolen wand. This event caused mass panic and was a clear harbinger of Voldemort's imminent return. Upon his rebirth in the Little Hangleton graveyard, Lord Voldemort summoned his Death Eaters by touching Peter Pettigrew's Dark Mark. Severus Snape later showed his own darkening Mark to Cornelius Fudge as proof of Voldemort's return, though the Minister refused to believe it. In his sixth year, Draco Malfoy was forced into Voldemort's service and branded with the Dark Mark, an act that caused him immense distress. Following the death of Albus Dumbledore, the Dark Mark was cast over the Astronomy Tower at Hogwarts by the Death Eater Gibbon, signaling the successful assassination and the fall of the castle's greatest protector.

The Dark Mark is the primary symbol of evil, fear, and servitude in the series. It is the visual representation of Voldemort's ideology and the loyalty he demands. For some, like Bellatrix Lestrange, it is a mark of honour. For others, like Draco Malfoy and Igor Karkaroff, it becomes a symbol of inescapable fear and regret. For Severus Snape, it is a constant, painful reminder of the dangerous role he must play as a double agent. Its appearance in the sky consistently signals a major turning point toward darkness and is a powerful plot device for demonstrating the rising threat of Lord Voldemort.

• In the film adaptations, the Dark Mark in the sky is often depicted as a more dynamic, three-dimensional entity formed of smoke or clouds, rather than stars. The brand on a Death Eater's arm is also sometimes shown to move or writhe, particularly when being activated. (film)