Katipunin Rank Marks

Early knives from the Katipunan revolution of 1898-1902 in The Philippines are sometimes marked with symbols that indicate the bearers rank. The marks sometimes have a mystical symbolic meaning in addition to, or apart from the rank. Various configurations of the symbols are a subject of academic debate.

The iconography includes the following:

  • Triangle
  • Sun face
  • Orb (found on end of hilt)
  • Three stars
  • Arrangement of symbols in various tripartite themes.


Katipunin "Rebel" Marks sometimes found on knives from The Philippines

Katipunin “Rebel” Marks
image courtesy of R. Coleman