mark of Cain
Murderer's divine brand
The mark of Cain refers to a sign of shame, guilt, or disgrace that identifies someone as having committed a terrible wrong.
The phrase comes from the biblical story in Genesis where God placed a mark on Cain after he murdered his brother Abel—though in the original story, the mark actually protected Cain from being killed by others.
In modern use, it describes the lasting stigma that follows someone who has done something deeply wrong: After the scandal, he carried the mark of Cain wherever he went.
Creating distinctive identity
- scarlet letterMark of public shame
- taintMake impure
- blemishVisible flaw or mark
- stainLasting surface discoloration
disgrace · notoriety · infamy · dishonor · disrepute · blot · reproach · opprobrium
First biblical book
- AbelHebrew name meaning breath
- fratricideKilling one's own brother
- Old TestamentPre-Christian biblical canon
- curseInvoked harm through words
God · sin · brotherhood · bloodshed · jealousy · Seth · scripture · exile
Rejected, shunned person
- outcastShunned, rejected person
- banishmentForced removal from place
- isolationComplete separation from others
- alienationState of being isolated
exclusion · shunning · rejection · marginalization · persona non grata · exile · wandering · cast out
Guilt for wrongdoing
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- blood guiltMoral stain from killing
- murdererOne who unlawfully kills
- sinViolation of divine law
condemnation · judgment · burden · haunted · torment · self-reproach · contrition · penitence
branding
Creating distinctive identity
- scarlet letterMark of public shame
- taintMake impure
- blemishVisible flaw or mark
stain · disgrace · notoriety · infamy · dishonor · disrepute · blot · reproach · opprobrium · tarnish
Genesis
First biblical book
- AbelHebrew name meaning breath
- fratricideKilling one's own brother
- Old TestamentPre-Christian biblical canon
curse · God · sin · brotherhood · bloodshed · jealousy · Seth · scripture · exile · wanderer
pariah
Rejected, shunned person
- outcastShunned, rejected person
- banishmentForced removal from place
- isolationComplete separation from others
alienation · exclusion · shunning · rejection · marginalization · persona non grata · exile · wandering · cast out · untouchable
remorse
Guilt for wrongdoing
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- blood guiltMoral stain from killing
- murdererOne who unlawfully kills
sin · condemnation · judgment · burden · haunted · torment · self-reproach · contrition · penitence · repentance
- Biblical ReferencesAdam and Eve, ark, forbidden fruit, Garden of Eden, Ten Commandments
- shame symbolsscarlet letter, dunce cap, pillory, stockade, yellow star
- social stigmastigma, stigmatized, shame, shamed, disgrace
- biblical punishmentsplagues, stoning, banishment, pestilence, destruction
mark of Cainbadge of honor
Source of earned pride
seal of approval · halo · blessing · clean hands · clear conscience
mark, marks, marked, marking, marker, markers, remark, remarkable, remarkably