History Main / FacialMarkings

** Bishop has an M (for Mutant) branded on his face. A lot of the mutants seen in his alternate future also have prominent brands or facial tattoos.
** Jamie Madrox and Layla Miller of ''Comicbook/XFactor'' have received the same M brand as a result of visiting Bishop's future.

* ComicBook/{{Shatterstar}} has a star tattoo over his left eye. In X-Factor V3, he beats up a guy (and his friends, and some random bystanders) for making snide comments about it.

* The above picture is from ''Manga/InuYasha''. This character is a dude named Jakotsu, a part of the Band of Seven, all of whom have stripes of some sort on their faces. Also, when the title character transforms into a full demon he develops facial markings akin to his brother's (who has stripes and a crescent on his forehead), except that demon!Inu Yasha's cheek stripes are more jagged and he has only one on each side instead of two like his brother (although the third film isn't considered canon, the design of Inuyasha's father was the manga artist's creation and it can just be seen in the film that his stripes are identical to Inuyasha's demon form stripes and he has no mark on his forehead; apparently, it's Inuyasha who looks like his father, not Sesshoumaru). Apparently the markings indicate the social ranking of the demon in question, though as for exactly what means what, no one seems to know for sure.

* Ghanti from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast [[Manga/TheLegendOfZelda Akira Himekawa manga]] has a star-shaped yellow mark under her left eye.

** Several of the [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Protodeviln]] in ''Anime/{{Macross 7}}'' have facial markings, like [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kerai/1111648632537.jpg this]].

** Tsunade's diamond is where she stores an incredible amount of chakra for her [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique Forbidden Jutsu]] which makes her [[NighInvulnerability invincible in battle.]] When she uses it, [[MarkedChange her face is covered in more markings]], which disappear soon after. The lozenge also disappears after using the jutsu, but reappears when she starts storing chakra behind it again. [[spoiler: Tsunade probably got the idea from her grandmother Mito Uzumaki, who's a fuinjutsu (sealing technique) user and who had the lozenge seal before her. Later Sakura gets one of her own]].

** Ulquiorra's markings actually grow bigger and more demonic as he takes more and more levels in badass in [[spoiler: his final fight]].

* The above picture is from ''Manga/InuYasha''. This character is a dude named Jakotsu, a part of the Band of Seven, whom all have stripes of some sort on their faces. Also, when the title character transforms into a full demon he develops facial markings akin to his brother's (who has stripes and a crescent on his forehead), except that demon!Inu Yasha's cheek stripes are more jagged and he has only one on each side instead of two like his brother (although the third film isn't considered canon, the design of Inuyasha's father was the manga artist's creation and it can just be seen in the film that his stripes are identical to Inuyasha's demon form stripes and he has no mark on his forehead; apparently, it's Inuyasha who looks like his father, not Sesshoumaru). Apparently the markings indicate the social ranking of the demon in question, though as for exactly what means what, no one seems to know for sure.

* In ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'', when Yuusuke Urameshi [[spoiler: transforms into his demon form, he gains markings on his face and shoulders along with spiky hair down to his knees.]]

* Members of the Guild in ''Anime/LastExile'' develop marks on their foreheads as their 17th birthday (which seems to mark adulthood) approaches. If they do not swear their loyalty to the Maestro within a week after their birthday, the mark is supposed to fade. Marks are also different colors: Most people have black marks, but Maestro Delphine's is pink, and [[spoiler: Dio's is orange. It also changes shape after he undergoes the Trial of Agoon.]]

** From the same series is Zazie Rainyday. One can presume that the vertical line through her right eye and tear shaped mark below her left eye are significant, but so little is known about her that it can't be said for certain. [[TheSilentBob She's]]... [[CuteMute quiet]]. [[ItsQuietTooQuiet Too quiet]]. [[spoiler: It's later revealed that her twin sister has similar markings, so they may be birthmarks.]]

** And from the [[Anime/YuGiOhFirstAnimeSeries original]], Marik sports a inky line under each eye, starting from the outer corner and angling back towards his nose. [[spoiler: They're matching accessories for the much, much larger tattoo on his back.]]

* ''Manga/UshioAndTora'', the titular Youkai has noticeable black marks on his face, to the point that Hyo described him as the "Kumadori-wearing bakemono" (Kumadori being the facial make-up of Kabuki actors). [[spoiler: When we see Tora's origin story, it's revealed that those marks were left by TearsOfBlood.]]

* Several characters in ''ComicBook/TheWickedAndTheDivine'' sport facial markings, often around their eyes. Amaterasu has rainbows around her eyes, which Laura emulates when she goes to see her in concert. The Morrigan's aspects Macha and Badb both have raven-like designs, whereas Gentle Annie has a rectangle over her right eye. Inanna has an eight-pointed star around his left eye, matching his icon. Tara's appearance on the cover of Issue #5 has the entire top half of her face coloured blue. They seem to be permanent changes to the gods' appearances rather than makeup or tattoos. For example, [[spoiler:after Laura's ascension as the goddess Persephone]], we only ever see her with the red triangle on the right side of her face, including after waking up in the mornings and while covered in blood. None of the pantheon with the markings are ever shown applying makeup, and the godly InstantCostumeChange also comes with other physical differences, like hair color changes or [[WalkingShirtlessScene great abs]]. [[spoiler: Laura's mark disappears after she renounces her godhood and becomes mortal again, apparently confirming that the marks are indeed supernatural.]]

** In the sequel, [[spoiler: Maddie Pryor a.k.a. Rachel Grey]] has magically applied facial tattoos.

* Ash's marks on the cheeks are a crucial plot point in ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'', since many characters who share that trait begin to pop up frequently as the story goes on. [[spoiler: It's implied that the reason for this is because they all share the same father, and that the mark is a family trait.]]

* In ''Film/TheGrizzlies'', Spring gives herself a traditional Inuit tattoo on her forehead after her ex-boyfriend Roger [[spoiler: commits suicide]].

* ''Literature/TalesOfKolmar'': When Akhor becomes human, he loses the soulgem that was set into his forehead, retaining only a faint mark. [[spoiler: His children]] similarly look human, but have tiny bumps in their foreheads where their soulgems would be, if they were dragons.

* Most of the Cetagandans of the ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga'' wear elaborate full face paint that indicates their rank and clan affiliation. In "Cetaganda", it's mentioned that young people are currently experimenting with rebellion by reducing the paint down to just a cheek decal, a style being disapproved of by the older generation. Haut Women are the only Cetaganadans depicted without any face paint, [[spoiler: their loyalty being to the Haut Genome first and foremost, rather than any Haut or Ghem clan,]] and they typically only go out in public in opaque forcefield bubbles anyway.

** Though, his markings aren't actually story-related, it's the scar [[spoiler: given to him by Aries when they kidnapped his brother Deimos, thinking a skin disorder was a prophesized mark that he was born to destroy Zeus, the prophets were vague, as the "mark" was the scar under Kratos' right eye.]]

** [[spoiler: Rey and Pat]] from ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce'' also get markings when they fuse with Gemini.

** Star Butterfly has permanent light pink [[HeartSymbol heart-shaped]] markings on each cheek. Her mother's cheeks have magenta diamond-shaped ones, and some other Butterfly family members have them too (like Etheria has light pink tiny stars). According to ''Star and Marco's Guide to Mastering Every Dimension'', the markings are a result of long-term use of magic. This can be seen in "Deep Dive", when [[spoiler: Marco uses Star's wand]] in a moment of desperation, and briefly gains crescent-shaped cheek marks while doing so.

** [[spoiler: Krolia]] has natural markings on either side of her face.
** [[spoiler: As of "The Black Paladins", Keith has a marking on the left side of his face (whether or not it's a scar is left unclear) similar to Krolia's natural markings.]]

* In ''Film/WerewolfByNight'', two of the monster hunters, Jack and Liorn, have markings on their faces. Jack tells Jovan that the dark paint around his eyes and white lines are in honor of his ancestors, while Liorn's aren't explained.

* in ''Webcomic/{{Crankrats}}'', most [[AmbiguouslyBrown Altavians]] have "clan markings" tattooed on their faces.

* Inuit women traditionally had facial tattoos that was one of the things that were stamped out by religious and secular authorities in the 20th century in Canada, but in the last few years some Inuit women have revived it to reclaim their cultural heritage.

* The titular character from ''Literature/JenniferGovernment'' has a barcode tattoo under her left eye. Unlike most examples, it has no particularly significant meaning; barcode facial tattoos were fashionable in the yuppie set for a period, and Jennifer chose to get the barcode from a "Malibu Barbie".

** Every [[OurElvesAreDifferent Guado]] in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'' has some kinda weird network of colored ridges/facial markings over their foreheads and going down their cheeks. Lots of gamers mistake them for veins, but they're not -- it's just that the color of the markings matches the color of the Guado's hair, and the Guado (or, more accurately, [[HalfHumanHybrid half]]) the game gives the most screentime to happen to have [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair blue hair]].

* ''Series/TheMandalorian'': Cara Dune has a marking below her left eye that, at first glance, looks like a BeautyMark but closer inspection reveals it's acutally the Starbird symbol used by the [[Franchise/StarWars Rebel Alliance]].

* Facial tattoos have become a staple of TrapMusic aesthethics. Notable examples include {{Music/PostMalone}}, {{Music/XXXTentacion}} and {{Music/GucciMane}}.

* Most of the villains in the ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' series of games have facial markings, most notably Sigma. His facial scars (obtained after he turned Maverick) managed to stay with him even if he had a new body.

* In ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsJudgment'', those who are in the Knight caste of the Fury, an alien race (most of whom are {{Proud Warrior Race Guy}}s), have facial markings on their faces.
** Nearly all the various HumanAliens who appear throughout ''SRW'' have these, in fact.

* Manamia from ''VideoGame/TheLastStory'' has a ring or dots on her forehead.

* A few characters in ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' have facial markings, such as Nightwolf, Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, the latter of which has facial markings that only appear in Mortal Kombat 3.
* Kefka from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI''.
* Reno in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' has seemingly red tattoos the shade of his hair curving under his eyes. His ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' ''officially'' confirmed {{Expy}} Axel has little dark purple upside down tear drops under his eyes as well, naturally, though he loses his after his CharacterDevelopment takes him in a different direction.
* The Dalish elves from ''Franchise/DragonAge'' have facial tattoos called vallaslin, most of which indicate reaching adulthood. This makes them very easy to tell apart from the elves that stay [[OurElvesAreDifferent enslaved by humans]]. In ''Videogame/DragonAgeInquisition'', Solas reveals that the vallaslin is actually [[spoiler:an ancient type of SlaveBrand used by Elven nobility of history to mark their slaves]].
** The [[TattooedCrook casteless dwarves]] all have a brand on their face to signify [[UrbanSegregation they don't exist]] and the Legion of the Dead have a tattoo signifying that [[DeadManWalking they are already dead]].
** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', the default Hawke has a red warpaint smear across the bridge of their nose.
* Ultimecia of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' takes this to some kind of record-breaking extreme.
** From the same game, Zell has one that covers [[FashionableAsymmetry only one side of his face]].
* Every [[OurElvesAreDifferent Guado]] in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'' has some kinda weird network of colored ridges/facial markings over their foreheads and going down their cheeks. Lots of gamers mistake them for veins, but they're not -- it's just that the color of the markings matches the color of the Guado's hair, and the Guado (or, more accurately, [[HalfHumanHybrid half]]) the game gives the most screentime to happen to have [[YouGottaHaveBlueHair blue hair]].
* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** What Fierce Deity Link from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' lacks in irises and pupils, he makes up for with Facial Markings and supernatural badass.
** If Impa in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'' and the Shrine Monks in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'' are any indication, particularly pious Sheikah favor facial markings, including one of a large stylized eye covering the forehead (imparting a subtle ThirdEye motif). In ''Breath of the Wild'', Impa's granddaughter Paya also has this "Sheikah Eye" tattooed on her forehead and nose; she explains that it's a talisman for warding off evil that's customary among those with a long Sheikah lineage.
* Aeon officers in ''VideoGame/SupremeCommander'' wear white makeup/tattoos, usually in a pattern of broken or unbroken white lines. Sometimes accompanied by other forms of makeup, such as Crusader Rhiza's green lipstick in ''Forged Alliance''.
** Cybernetic Symbionts have circuitry patterns on their faces. UEF Symbiont circuitry glows blue, while red facial circuitry is the hallmark of the Cybrans.

* Most, if not all, Cat or Tiger laguz in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance/[[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn Radiant Dawn]]'' have markings on their faces when in human form, usually the same color as the character's hair (and thus, their fur when when transformed).

* Faith, the lead of ''VideoGame/MirrorsEdge'', is shown with unusual facial markings along her right eye.
* ''VideoGame/{{Suikoden}} [[VideoGame/SuikodenTierkreis Tierkreis]]'' gives us an entire village where people's faces are ritually tattooed at a young age; outcasts have their tattoos magically turned red. The end result is that, no matter their combat prowess, even the 12 year olds look badass.
* While all races in ''VideoGame/EveOnline'' can have tattoos and various body modifications for cosmetic purposes, the Amarr consider prominent metallic implants on the forehead/face to be a status symbol, available only to the higher echelons of society. Conversely, the Minmatar use their extensive tattoos to mark an individual belonging into a particular clan or having a specific destiny. They also use dyes that [[MarkedChange change color]] according to the wearer's state of mind.
* In the first ''Videogame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', Darth Malak, Uthar Wynn, and Yuthura Ban are all tattooed. Since this is only forty years after Exar Kun, they might be carrying on the tradition. [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Jana Lorso]], also has some facial tattoos.
** In ''Videogame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'', Republic players can choose to play a Mirialan, sporting the culture's tattoos. The Sarkhai culture (seen in the Consular story) also uses black painted facial markings, as seen on the Consular's Padawan Nadia Grell and her father. Consular companion Felix Iresso also sports some tattoos on his cheeks and jawline while his counterpart for the Inquisitor storyline Andronikos Revel has a tattoo covering his left eye.
* Though she's wolf instead of human-shaped like the other examples on this page, Amaterasu of ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'' is still a goddess, and so has a red pattern over her forehead and shoulders. [[spoiler:The design becomes much more intricate once she achieves full power at the very end of game, along with gaining more pronounced "wings" on her forelegs and some kind of floating, skirt-like aura around her hindquarters.]]
** Amaterasu's markings are InvisibleToNormals, so most people see only a white wolf. The very powerful can see her ''true'' form, that of a beautiful woman.
** The protagonist of the sequel, ''VideoGame/{{Okamiden}}'', is a wolf puppy with very similar markings.
* The [[XtremeKoolLetterz Krimzon Guard]] in the second ''[[VideoGame/JakIIRenegade Jak and Daxter]]'' game were tattooed to mark them as Guards. Of course, the RebelLeader, TheDragon, and the RebelliousPrincess have different tattoos than every other {{Mook}}.
* Turians from ''Franchise/MassEffect'' tattoo their faces with patterns which identify their home colony, a cultural artifact of the period of extreme nationalism prior to their Unification War. The Codex mentions that the Turians use 'barefaced' as a synonym for 'untrustworthy' (or [[AcceptableTargets 'politician']]), since such a person is concealing their true allegiance: [[{{Foreshadowing}} neither Saren nor]] [[spoiler:[[{{Foreshadowing}} the warden of Purgatory]] ]][[{{Foreshadowing}} have markings]].
** [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Asari]] tend to have patterns on their faces in differing shades of blue, red and white. It's unclear whether they are genetic or tattooed, though Aria's markings' symbolic shape suggests they're tattooed.
** As of [[VideoGame/MassEffect3 ME3]], if she is romanced, the photo which [[WrenchWench Tali]] gives Shepard shows that quarians have distinct facial markings as well.
** Kasumi wears a geisha-esque square of purple lipstick both on and under her bottom lip, presumably as homage to her Japanese roots.
* Haseo (and a lot of other people) from the ''VideoGame/DotHackGU'' trilogy. And they change as he powers up, too.
* Pact-partners in ''VideoGame/{{Drakengard}}'' all have an intricate black mark somewhere on their body symbolizing the price they paid for their pact. Only one of them actually has a mark on his face (though we never see the whole thing in-game, it actually goes from his face down to his chest), but another has a mark covering his scalp, and a third is marked on his eyes. No, not his eyelids--his ''eyes''.
* A standard customization option for all characters in ''VideoGame/{{Rift}}''.
* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', Menardi has red markings around her eyes. In ''The Lost Age'', Karst has a similar marking around her left eye (more obvious in her character art, because of how her face icon is shaded in-game). Whether it's tattoos, birthmarks, or just makeup is unknown, along with the meanings. Some interpretations of their respective partners-in-action give them more subdued versions as well.
** In ''VideoGame/GoldenSunDarkDawn'', [[ShrineMaiden Himi]] has a bindi-style marking on her forehead which [[PowerTattoo transforms when she recieves the Third Eye]]. [[ForTheEvulz Blados]] also has a symbol on his forehead, the meaning of which is [[EpilepticTrees speculation fodder]].
* Most [[CatFolk Felineko]] from ''VideoGame/{{Solatorobo}}'' have a single stripe on each cheek. [[spoiler:Nero and Blanck]] both sport small, light lines as well, though theirs have more of a {{Tron Line|s}} appearance due to their purpose and unnatural origins.
* D.Va from ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' has a set of pink markings on her cheeks, which only further accentuates her {{Animesque}} characteristics. Given her status as an internet celebrity, this may very well be deliberate.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''
** These are an option for the PlayerCharacter during character generation in a few games in the series. In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'', they appear on a few default faces for the Dunmer (Dark Elves) and Nords. In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', a player character of any race can be created with a number of different styles, with some differing from race to race. They also appear on some random generic enemies, such as bandits. The [[YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters Forsworn]] have unique versions that cannot be used by the PC (without using [[GameMod Mods]], at least).
** In universe, the Nibenese (one of the sub-races that make up the Imperial race along with the Colovians) would often apply facial tattoos. By the 3rd Era, this practice has all but died out.
** Throughout the series, this is a common trait of the Dremora, an intelligent race of [[OurDemonsAreDifferent lesser Daedra]] who are most commonly found in the service of [[DestroyerDeity Mehrunes Dagon]] as his LegionsOfHell. They are known to adorn their faces with red markings and symbols.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Evolve}}'' Maggie has patterns of black spots on her forehead and cheekbones, as well as some sort of flanged design over each eye. According to her they're not tattoos but facial paint. The design was the mark of a gang she ran with as a teenager, the Trapjaws, until the monsters attacked her colony. As the last surviving member of the group, as well as the planet in general, [[TragicKeepsake she keeps the markings as a reminder]] even after she acknowledges that she would have outgrown them.
* Actually a plot point in ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneySpiritOfJustice''. Monks and other holy figures in Khura'in all have facial markings tattooed on their face, each marking unique to that person. A registry of which marking goes to what person is kept in the royal palace, which is needed to identify a dead body.
* Inhabitants of the Apiary in ''VideoGame/Haven2020'' all have white face tattoos of varying intricacy. Some individuals have similar tattoos on their arms.

* Calm, Claire, and the four seasons in ''Webcomic/{{Seasons}}'' have them.

* ''Webcomic/{{Outsider}}'': Talon and Spiral have matching tattoos on their right cheeks, a symbol of her training in the same ''diral'' -- trainee group -- at the Tenoin Academy.

* In the world of ''Webcomic/GiftsOfWanderingIce'' birth of twins is considered a bad sign in hunters' tribe, and to prevent any mischief that can possibly come from the visual identity of two people one of the twins - usually a younger one - is to be marked with a red tattoo on the face. Being a younger brother Rikter has such tattoo - three red stripes on his right cheek.

* In ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'', Reynardine gets the [[FunctionalMagic alchemical]] [[EsotericMotifs symbol of antimony]] on his forehead to symbolize that he's been [[KidWithTheLeash put on a leash]]. The symbol appears and disappears by his desire.
* Aces (animals given a human body) in ''Webcomic/{{Pandect}}'' often have facial markings if their animal species has them (cheetah tear marks, for example)

* Wrestling/{{CMLL}}, Wrestling/{{AAA}} star and member of [[PowerTrio Los Indestrucibles]], Arez, not only has face paint but paint down his neck that makes it look like there is a mouth on it. One of Arez's partners, Impulso, has a blue lightning bolt painted on his face.

* In ''Literature/ChroniclesOfAncientDarkness'', all people have a clan-tattoo, usually on their face, to signify their clan. Torak has two lines of dots on each cheek (the Wolf Clan symbol), with a scar running through one dot. [[spoiler:The scar becomes important when it's revealed in the fourth book that he's [[TheStateless Clanless]], not a member of the Wolf Clan as he'd previously believed. He's also given a MarkOfShame on his forehead in that book, when he's formally made an Outcast.]] Renn has three parallel bars on each cheek (the Raven Clan symbol), and gets a special marking when she starts menstruating. Dark is one of the only characters to not have a tattoo, since he was abandoned as a child before he was old enough to get his.

* "WesternAnimation/Ninjago", The Time Twins, Krux and Acronix, have green and black tattoos around their eyes. WordOfGod confirmed their markings are purely a designer's choice with no real reason for having them.