God Emperor of Dune

The Atreides Insignia is a symbol of duty and loyalty, and throughout the novel, various characters wear different versions on their uniforms to communicate their allegiance or resistance to Leto’s rule. The crest features a red hawk, typically positioned on the uniform at the left breast. Another symbol of loyalty to the family is the green and black Atreides banner. In addition to providing clues to the wearer’s allegiance, these emblems also function as part of Herbert’s critique against fascism and nationalism.

During the novel’s opening, the older Duncan wears an earlier version of the Atreides uniform—black with a golden hawk—to signify his defiance against the new regime under Leto. Leto describes the golden hawk as equivalent to the statement, “I serve the honor of the old Atreides!” (29) and correctly interprets the subtle change as evidence of Duncan’s dissent and intent to kill him. The newer Duncan ghola alternates between uniforms that display the red hawk and those without the insignia, and the fluctuations mirror his internal struggle to define his identity and allegiance. In contrast, both Moneo and Siona wear uniforms without the insignia but for very different reasons. For Siona, she will never submit to Leto’s authority, and for faithful Moneo, he never needs to prove his allegiance because “[h]is face, almost as well known as Leto’s, was all the insignia he needed” (50).