The principle of awarding badges for honours won in battle has always played a major role amongst the various fighting units in the Imperium.
Space Marines are awarded badges of distinction for all manner of heroic deeds.
These appear in some form on the armour of the individual marine
These honours are listed below.
The Iron Skull
The Iron Skull is a traditional badge of ancient origin. Classical convention is to represent the Iron Skull as a red device. The Codex insignia for a sergeant, it is displayed on the shoulder armour and/or helmet of a Space Marine of this rank It is awarded for leadership.
Iron Halo
A Marine who demonstrates exceptional initiative will be awarded the Iron Halo. This simple badge has its origins in the earliest days of the Imperium. Often painted onto a Marine's armour as a red badge. the Iron Halo is the Codex insignia for a Squad leader. It is displayed on the shoulder armour and/or helmet of the Marine as a mark of his rank.
Marksman's Honour
This device is the Marksman's Honour. Acts of remarkably accurate shooting or consistent performance with targeting are marked with this award. The Codex insists that those warriors who prove their accuracy in combat should be singled out so that their skill may be instantly commanded when necessary. The badges themselves are believed to have been constructed by encasing in gold bolter shell cases fired in battle from the boltegun of Roboute Guilliman himself.
Imperial Laurel
A Marine who bears the honour has literally won his laurels. Acts of valour leadir to great victory are deeds rewarded with the Imperial Laurel. The wreath is ofte worn as a crown or sculpted onto the Marine's helmet. The Wreathed Skull is a common form of the honour. The Codex demands the Company Standards be born into battle by proven warrriors and the bearers of these a wear the Imperial Laurel.
Purity Seal
The Purity Seal records not so much an honour as a blessing. Before a campaign the Chaplains of the Chapter pass through the ranks chanting litanies and invocations. Certain honoured individuals are marked by the Chaplains for special blessings recorded on the parchment streamers and affixed to their armour with the great wax seal. Often the very receiving of such a blessing may itself be marked by the adopting of a solid electrum casting of the seal, permanently attached to a marine's armour or wargear.
Skull & Motto
In addition to the specific badge of the Iron Skull there are many other icons and emblems which incorporate the skull. As honours these often have a multitude of uses and meanings. Often combined with simple mottoes the skull honour can be seen on shoulder pads, helmets, kneepads and even on bolter cases and vehicles.
Crux Terminus
This is one of the most famous of all Space Marine icons. Only the honoured veterans of a Space Marine Chapter fight in suits of Terminator armour and wear this badge. The symbol has various forms and designs but all versions are carved from great chunks of stone. Within each badge is bound a tiny fragment of the suit of armour worn by the Emperor during his climatic battle with the arch-traitor Horus over 10,000 years ago.
Prime Helix
The Prime Helix is the emblem of the Apothecaries. The bright red design represents both the gene-seed itself and to some extent the sacrifice every Marine is prepared to make to ensure the Chapter's future.
Machina Opus
This is the mark of a Tech-Priest Adept. It is awarded to each Techmarine as he completes his mysterious training with the Adeptus Mechanicus on Mars. Bearers of the Machina Opus are accorded great respect by the Tech-Priests and they alone are allowed free passage through the Ring of Iron and into the great workshops of the Martian Hive.
The Imperialis
The winged skull badge that is the Imperialis has its origin in the great Heresy of Horus. It was adopted as the campaign badge of the loyal Chapters during the lmperium-wide conflict that was the heresy. Since then it has become the honour of righteous victory. Most often the chest armour of the recipient is carved into the great winged skull but it can also appear on the banners and finials.
Smaller Crux
Sergeants and captains bear modified versions of the Crux Terminus design to signify their rank and authority. Smaller representations of the crux are frequently worn by the veterans when they fight in power armour. These small, metallic icons are hung from banner tops, weapons and belts.
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