The anime series Berserk is well-known for the brand of sacrifice tattoo which is central to the dark and very tragic elements of the series especially when it comes to themes of the supernatural. In this light, the brand of sacrifice tattoo has several meanings, none of which bodes well for the person wearing the tattoo. First, it is a symbol that is used to mark those who have been offered up as a sacrifice at the eclipse ritual better known as the Behelit ceremony. Overall, having the brand of sacrifice tattoo signifies a very evil fate
Berserk Brand of Sacrifice Explained
The Brand of Sacrifice is probably one of the most iconic and haunting symbols associated with the anime series Berserk. This is because it was well woven into the entire series’ themes of fate, loss, and torment. It is a mark given to people who are offered as sacrifice at the Behelit occurs, because it summons the God Hand (those powerful demonic beings).
During the ritual ceremony, a sacrificer usually very close to the victim is required to forsake their humanity in exchange for that of others, gaining power or turning into a demonic Apostle. After being branded with the brand of sacrifice, the person will then proceed to live a very miserable life, suffering at the hands of demonic spirits that will constantly pursue and afflict him with physical pain and spiritual torment.
In the series, Guts and Casca were branded with the Brand of Sacrifice tattoo during the terrible Eclipse event, by Griffith, their former ally. This act sets Guts on his relentless journey for vengeance and survival, as the brand continuously bleeds and reacts in the presence of supernatural entities. Beyond its narrative role, the brand symbolizes the inescapable weight of sacrifice and destiny both of which are recurring themes in Berserk. To many fans, the Brand of Sacrifice is the powerful symbol of resilience against insurmountable odds, and a will that survives to resist one’s fate.
Does Berserk Brand of Sacrifice Give Power or Any Ability?
Much as fans feel like it should come with some supernatural abilities, sadly, the brand of sacrifice does not confer any special powers or abilities on the one who wears it. Remember that it is more of a curse rather than a blessing. Rather, it makes the wearer a target for torment by malevolent beings and demons alike.
Who Has the Brand of Sacrifice Tattoo in Berserk?
Within the world of Berserk, a few characters have borne the haunting Brand of Sacrifice. The Brand is doled out during the rare and ominous Eclipse, an occultic ceremony that happens every 216 years during which the God Hand inducts a new member. Among the central characters is the enigmatic antihero swordsman is Guts.
While Griffith was at the helm of affairs of the Band of the Falcon, Guts and some others paid a dear price when he sacrificed them to ascend as a new member of the God Hand. Unfortunately, a greater majority of the Band died with the exception of Casca and Guts.
List of Characters Marked With Berserk’s Brand of Sacrifice
- Guts was marked on the neck
- Casca’s mark lies on the upper-middle part of her breast.
- Judeau was marked on the palm of his left hand
- Corkus’ mark is boldly on his forehead.
- Pippin’s mark is a bit more conspicuous on his right arm.
- The Egg of the Perfect World has his own mark on his tongue.
- Gaston was marked on his left shoulder blade.
- The Count’s wife carries her mark on her chest, just between her breasts.
- Corpses beneath the Tower of Rebirth have their marks on their foreheads.
- Lastly, the Lady Priestess of the Cherry Blossoms was marked on her right shoulder.
While a lot of people were branded at the same time as Guts and Casca, none of them survived as long so that eventually, the two became the only survivors with the mark known to date. These Brands brought a long trail of disastrous consequences, as they tend to attract a disturbingly large number of evil spirits wherever their wearers travel. This attraction led to terrible consequences for the humans at every settlement they came upon.
In order to soften the effects of the torment that the mark bestows on its wearer, the witches Flora and Schierke invoked temporary seals that somewhat relieved the burden. These Brands, once given, become an outstanding debt in demand by the God Hand and serve as a grim reminder of sinister forces lurking in the world of Berserk.
