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Aquila

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The Aquila, symbol of the Imperium

The Aquila is a two headed eagle, and represents the entire Imperium of Mankind. During the times before the Horus Heresy, the two headed eagle was blind-folded on one side, and the other had eyes. The backward facing blinded side represented looking back into the past, while the forward facing sighted eagle was looking into the future. After the Heresy, and the Imperial Cult took hold, the Aquila's means changed to represent the two headed Empire of the Imperium and the Adeptus Mechanicus.1

Sign of the Aquila

The sign of the Aquila is a hand gesture to show one's allegiance to the Imperium: the gesture has its user place their hands flat on their chest with their thumbs interlocked. This makes the image of the Imperial Eagle on the chest with the thumbs forming the head and the straight fingers symbolizing the wings.2

Equipment

The Aquila is also displayed on Space Marine power armour, and stamped on weapons produced for the Imperium in its Forge Worlds. Bolters, lasguns, tanks, and every other pieces of military equipment are oftentimes displayed with the Aquila on them. The Aquila is also stamped on signets and rings belonging to those serving the Imperial office, in the military or otherwise.

Sources