The Dark Mark

• Type: Magical Brand, Symbol, Summoning Device
• Owners: Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters
• Maker: Lord Voldemort

The Dark Mark manifests in two distinct forms: as a physical brand on a Death Eater's forearm and as a magical sign conjured in the sky.

• The Brand: The Mark on a follower's inner left forearm is described as a vivid, scarlet-red mark that looks like a grotesque tattoo. It depicts a skull with a large serpent protruding from its mouth, as if it were a tongue. When inactive, it may appear as a faint scar, as seen on Igor Karkaroff. When Lord Voldemort is at full power or summons his followers, the Mark turns jet-black and burns, signaling the call to its bearer. Severus Snape described it to Cornelius Fudge as having become clearer and clearer throughout the previous year as Voldemort's power grew.
• The Conjured Sign: When cast into the sky with the incantation `Morsmordre`, the Dark Mark appears as a colossal, glittering skull composed of what look like emerald stars. A serpent tongue is depicted lolling from its mouth. It hangs in the air, described as a “green and lurid” spectacle, serving as a terrifying calling card for Voldemort and his followers.

The Dark Mark is a powerful and versatile piece of Dark Magic, serving several functions for Lord Voldemort and his followers.

• Summoning: Its primary function is a summoning device. Voldemort can press his finger to the Mark on any one of his Death Eaters, causing the Marks of all his other followers to burn and turn black, compelling them to Apparate to his side immediately. Conversely, a Death Eater can touch their own Mark to send a signal to Voldemort, though this is an act of great desperation, as summoning the Dark Lord for a trivial reason would incur his severe wrath.
• Symbol of Allegiance: The Mark is a permanent brand of servitude to Voldemort. Receiving it is a sign of being initiated into his inner circle. It cannot be removed and its state is directly tied to Voldemort's power.
• Indicator of Power: The Mark's visibility and intensity act as a barometer for Voldemort's strength. As he regained his power, the Marks on his former followers, such as Igor Karkaroff and Severus Snape, grew progressively darker and clearer.
• Psychological Warfare: Conjuring the Dark Mark over a location is an act of terror. During the First Wizarding War, its appearance over a house signified that Death Eaters had committed murder within, striking fear into the hearts of the magical community.

The Dark Mark was Lord Voldemort's signature symbol during the First Wizarding War. Its appearance was synonymous with death and terror. After Voldemort's first downfall, the Marks on his followers faded to faint scars, allowing many, like Lucius Malfoy, to deny their allegiance. For others who had betrayed Voldemort, like Igor Karkaroff, the slow darkening of the Mark was a source of mounting dread. The Mark made its first prominent appearance in the series at the 1994 Quidditch World Cup, where Barty Crouch Jr. cast it into the sky using Harry Potter's stolen wand. The act caused mass panic and was a clear signal to the Ministry of Magic that Voldemort's followers were active once more. Following his rebirth, Voldemort used the Mark on Peter Pettigrew's arm to summon his Death Eaters to the Little Hangleton graveyard. He explained its function to them as a means of communication and a symbol of their renewed service. During the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, Gibbon was ordered to cast the Mark over Hogwarts to lure Albus Dumbledore to his death, an event that deeply shocked the wizarding community. The Mark was last seen being considered for use by Bellatrix Lestrange at Malfoy Manor to summon Voldemort after capturing Harry Potter, though she hesitated, fearing the consequences of a false alarm.

The Dark Mark is the ultimate symbol of Voldemort's regime of fear and the allegiance of his followers. It serves as a constant, tangible reminder of his presence and growing power throughout the series. Its appearance at the Quidditch World Cup marks a turning point, signaling the end of the uneasy peace since Voldemort's first defeat. The Mark is also central to the character arcs of several individuals, including Draco Malfoy, for whom receiving the Mark represents his loss of innocence and forced entry into Voldemort's service, and Severus Snape, whose Mark is a constant symbol of his dangerous double-agency.

• The incantation used to conjure the Dark Mark in the sky, `Morsmordre`, is revealed on the Pottermore website (now Wizarding World) and is not explicitly named in the novels.
• Etymology: The incantation `Morsmordre` likely combines the Latin word mors, meaning “death,” with the French word mordre, meaning “to bite.” This translates to “to bite death” or “death bite,” fitting the image of the serpent striking from the skull.
• In the film adaptations, the brand on a Death Eater's arm is often depicted as a blackened, raised, and scarred tattoo, rather than the red or black mark described in the books. The conjured Mark in the sky is often animated, with the serpent slithering and writhing through the skull's eye sockets and mouth. (film)