Ceremonial Dagger

A Ceremonial Dagger.
Ceremonial Dagger
Production Information
Type	Handheld mêlée weapon
Usage
Affiliation	Yautja

The Ceremonial Dagger is a Yautja weapon, used by warriors as a last-resort weapon or a weapon to take trophies from fallen enemies. The Ceremonial Dagger is associated with the Blooding Rite of Young Bloods. It's primary use is to remove the carapace of a Xenomorph but it could also be used as a close-contact weapon if need be. The blade itself is made of either the bones or the 'resin' of a Xenomorph, making it resistant to their acidic blood.

It is first seen in Alien vs. Predator when the Yautja, Celtic, attempts to finish off the Xenomorph Drone, Grid before the Xenomorph can escape from his net. However, Grid bursts free and Headbites Celtic. It is seen again later when Scar carves up a dead Xenomorph apart to fashion weapons for Lex.

Overview

The Ceremonial Dagger attached to the right shins of all three Youngblood Predators in Alien vs Predator. It is treated to be immune against Xenomorph blood. It looks like the trophy which is obtained with this weapon has more value in the Predators' world than other ways of killing a prey, since Celtic let himself open to Grid's attack, just to finish him off in a ritual kill.

History

In Alien vs. Predator, Celtic was the first Predator to use the Ceremonial Dagger, but died before he could kill a Xenomorph with it. Scar also used a Ceremonial Dagger to make weapons for Lex. Later, in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, after Wolf gets the distress signal he gets his weapons and after he picks up his backpack a Ceremonial Dagger can be seen.

Trivia

• First appearing in the 2004 film Alien vs. Predator, the ceremonial dagger would go on to be featured in a number of future releases strictly within the Alien vs. Predator franchise. It wasn't until August of 2022 that a ceremonial dagger would appear in Bitter Hunt, a short story from the anthology book Predator: Eyes of the Demon, making it the first publication outside of the AVP franchise to feature the unique weapon.
• Following Marvel Comics' acquisition of the rights to Predator comic books, a ceremonial dagger appeared in the crossover comic book series Predator versus Wolverine leading some to speculate about whether or not Marvel was teasing an upcoming first entry in the AVP crossover franchise.

Appearances

• Alien vs. Predator/novel
• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
• Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens: Splice and Dice
• Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood
• Predator: Eyes of the Demon - Bitter Hunt
• Aliens vs. Predators: Rift War
• Predator versus Wolverine

Gallery

A ceremonial dagger included with NECA's Celtic action figure.

Ceremonial daggers as seen in the 2016 crossover comic book series Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens.

A ceremonial dagger as seen in the 2020 comic book series Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood.

A ceremonial dagger as seen in the 2023 crossover comic book series Predator versus Wolverine.

Behind the scenes

Wristblades and Daggers for Alien vs. Predator.

Ditto.