Planeswalker symbol

The handprint-like planeswalker symbol symbolizes planeswalkers and their ability to traverse the planes of the Multiverse.[1][2]
Description
The planeswalker symbol is, for example, used to represent the planeswalk mechanic in the Planechase format, as part of the Masters 25 expansion symbol, and hidden in card art (e.g., Barren Glory and Omniscience). It seems to refer to the different paths or planes that a planeswalker can choose to walk. Specifically: five choices, as in the five colors of Magic. On the other hand, Mark Rosewater has said that it also has a “five becoming one” aspect, to match Magic's ethos of the colors working together.[3][4] The latter could also mean there is a connection to the Lorwyn Five or the Gatewatch.
History
There used to be a symbol designed for planeswalkers in Future Sight, but it was not used when the introduction of planeswalkers was moved to Lorwyn. This was different from the current planeswalker symbol.[5]
Beginning with Guilds of Ravnica, most sets were marketed with key art featuring the planeswalker symbol. Sometime later, Wizards of the Coast began creating variants of the planeswalker symbol for each set.
The symbol appeared in the art of the Mystery Booster 2 test card Plain Walker.
Fractured symbol
After the Desparkening, multiple former planeswalkers received new cards as Legendary Creatures in March of the Machine: The Aftermath. Each featured a cracked planeswalker symbol watermark. Desparked former planeswalkers' first appearance as legendary creatures in later sets would feature the same watermark.[6] Several characters also featured it on their second card after the Desparkening, but this was in a period where there wasn’t a set policy yet. The current plan is that only the first creature card of a desparked planeswalker gets the symbol.[7][8]
Rules
From the Comprehensive Rules (July 25, 2025—Edge of Eternities)
- 107.11. The Planeswalker symbol is {PW}. It appears on one face of the planar die used in the Planechase casual variant. It has five tines at the top and tapers to a point at the bottom. See rule 901, “Planechase.”
Gallery
Key art
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Guilds of Ravnica key art by Titus Lunter.
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Core Set 2020 key art featuring Chandra Nalaar.
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Throne of Eldraine key art by Seb McKinnon.
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Theros Beyond Death key art by Ryan Pancoast.
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Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths "Planeswalker Beast" key art by Viktor Titov.
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Zendikar Rising key art by Adam Paquette.
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Zendikar Rising key art by Piotr Dura.
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Kaldheim key art by Chase Stone.
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Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms "Dragon Hoard" key art.
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Adventures in the Forgotten Realms key art featuring a beholder by Anna Podedworna.
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Adventures in the Forgotten Realms key art featuring a Gelatinous Cube by Anna Podedworna.
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Adventures in the Forgotten Realms key art featuring Drizzt Do'Urden and Guenhwyvar by Magali Villeneuve.
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Innistrad: Midnight Hunt key art.
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Innistrad: Crimson Vow key art by Aaron Miller.
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Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty key art by Madkobra.
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Streets of New Capenna key art.
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Dominaria United key art by Tom Roberts.
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The Brothers' War key art by Leon Tukker.
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Phyrexia: All Will Be One key art by Matteo Bassini.
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Assassin's Creed key art.
Set-specific variations
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Kaldheim symbol based on Viking knotwork.
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Adventures in the Forgotten Realms symbol variant.
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Adventures in the Forgotten Realms symbol for the set's associated campaign.
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2021 Arena Starter Kit symbol.
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Demon-themed symbol for Streets of New Capenna.
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Angel-themed symbol for Streets of New Capenna.
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Mishra-themed symbol for The Brothers' War.
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Urza-themed symbol for The Brothers' War.
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Phyrexia: All Will Be One symbol based on Elesh Norn.
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March of the Machine symbol.
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Mordor-themed symbol for The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth by Jeff Carpenter.
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Wilds of Eldraine symbol based on Eriette's Charmed Apple.
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Starter Kit 2023 symbol by Jeff Carpenter.
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The Lost Caverns of Ixalan "Crystal" symbol variant by Jeff Carpenter.
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The Lost Caverns of Ixalan "Stone" symbol variant with backgrounds based on the Nazca lines by Jeff Carpenter.
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The Lost Caverns of Ixalan "Amber" symbol variant by Jeff Carpenter.
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Murders at Karlov Manor symbol based on the Ravnican Agency of Magicological Investigations badge.
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Pip-Boy-themed symbol for Fallout by Jeff Carpenter.
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Rusted symbol for Fallout by Jeff Carpenter.
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Outlaws of Thunder Junction symbol based on a cactus.
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Spring-themed symbol for Bloomburrow by Jeff Carpenter.
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Fall-themed symbol for Bloomburrow by Jeff Carpenter.
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Bloomburrow Commander symbol based on a metallized carrot.
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Final Fantasy symbol.
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Avatar: The Last Airbender symbol.
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A special dragonstorm pin given to players who attended two or more Tarkir: Dragonstorm prereleases at WPN stores.[9]
Other uses
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Unused planeswalker symbol meant for future-shifted cards
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April Fools' Day 2015 symbol.
References
- ↑ Magic Arcana (December 30, 2009). "What's That Symbol?". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2020-05-10.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 17, 2012). "Do you happen to know what the "planeswalker symbol" actually represents?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 19, 2017). "Do you have any trivia or interesting perspective on the Planeswalker Symbol?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 2, 2018). "Can you talk about what the symbology of the Planeswalker symbol is? Why a “handprint”-like design?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (August 1, 2008). "Ask Wizards - August, 2008". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-30.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 8, 2023). "When we see desparked former planeswalkers in future sets, will they have the desparked watermark we saw in MOM aftermath?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 9, 2025). "For Tarkir: Dragonstorm, both Sarkhan and Narset do not have the fractured planeswalker symbol watermark". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 9, 2025). "You said that the desparked symbol is supposed to appear on our first time seeing a planeswalker desparked from the events of MOM, but not the subsequent times.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 18, 2025). "Tarkir: Dragonstorm Events & Promos Overview". WPN.