History Main / DistinguishingMark

* ''GIJoe'': The difference between the mirror image Tomax and Xamot? Xomat has a scar on his left cheek.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* In Series/TheRefugees, the time-traveling refugees carry a chip on their chests that shines a red light. [[spoiler:It is also used to monitor them and make sure they don't break the rules.]]
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* The ''{{Goosebumps}}'' book "My Hairiest Adventure" has a character with one blue eye and one green eye -- which [[ChekhovsGun turns out to be important]] after [[spoiler:she's transformed into a dog]].

* [[SilenceOfTheLambs Hannibal]] used to have six fingers on one hand, more specifically a second middle finger. He has it surgically removed after Silence, but of course he retains his [[RedEyesTakeWarning maroon eyes]].
* The Sylver family line in ''WelkinWeasels'' all have a facial birthmark shaped like a lightning bolt.
* ''ConanTheBarbarian'':

* Oliver of ''Webcomic/LightningMadeOfOwls'' has an L-shaped scar as his distinguishin feature.

* Dipper of ''GravityFalls'' apparently has a birthmark on his forehead that looks like a certain constellation that answers [[WhoNamesTheirKidDude certain questions.]] He mentions that kids made fun of it before he started covering it up.

[[folder:General]]
* The [[ScannableMan barcode]] (which may be a tattoo but probably isn't) is often used as a sci-fi variation on the birthmark.
--> "Just pretend you're a box of cereal and I'm scanning your barcode."
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* ''ToyStory2'' uses this to distinguish the familiar Buzz Lightyear with an otherwise identical one fresh from the box. In addition to knowing that he's a toy, the familiar Buzz proves that he's the friend of Woody by lifting his foot, revealing "Andy" written on his sole that was put there by their owner.

* EdwardRutherfurd uses this trope a ''lot'' to distinguish between the families in his GenerationalSaga novels, variously giving them characteristics such as long toes, waddling gaits, or oversized noses. Played with a bit in ''London'', in which the Ducket/Dogget line has ''three'' such traits: natural SkunkStripe hair (both sexes), partially-webbed fingers (several of the males), or obesity that's probably linked to hypothyroidism (a few of the females).

See also ScarsAreForever. For a DistinguishingMark that marks the ChosenOne, see BirthmarkOfDestiny. If the Distinguishing Mark shows that the character is supernatural or magical, it's MarkOfTheSupernatural.

* ''Literature/TheMortalInstruments'': Jace Wayland has a star-shaped mark on his shoulder [[spoiler: which is a birthmark of the Herondale family.]]
** [[spoiler:Simon gains the ability to walk in sunlight, nicknaming him "Daylighter" and the Mark of Cain, though he later loses the latter.]]

:: The scene won the [[http://www.skinema.com/Skinnies1998.html 1998 Skinny Award]] for "Best birthmark used to further the plot".

* TheHero Rohan in ''Series/TheMysticKnightsOfTirNaNog'' has a birthmark called the Mark of Destiny that his druid mentor and foster father takes as a sign proclaiming him to be TheChosenOne. He's right...but the mark isn't unique to Rohan. [[spoiler: His half-brother Lugad and the BigBad Queen Maeve, ''their mother'', also bear the Mark of Destiny.]]

* In ''Film/ThePrincessAndThePea'', The court historian, Sebastian, makes a note that the newborn princess, Daria, had a heart-shaped birthmark on her left foot. This acts as a ChekhovsGun to help identify her as the real princess later on.

* The ''{{Goosebumps}}'' book "My Hairiest Adventure" has a character with [[MismatchedEyes one blue eye and one green eye]] -- which [[ChekhovsGun turns out to be important]] after [[spoiler:she's transformed into a dog]].

See also ScarsAreForever. For a DistinguishingMark that marks the ChosenOne, see BirthmarkOfDestiny.