Many Yellowstone characters wear the Dutton ranch brand on the hit drama series. Here, we explain what the brand stands for, everyone who wears it, and why.
What does the Yellowstone brand mean? It’s not unusual for cattle to be branded. Typically, each ranch will have its own identifier to mark who the cattle belong to, and where to return them if they’re found roaming. But in Yellowstone, humans are seen sporting the same thing.
The Yellowstone brand has become part of the iconography of the best drama series on television. A symbol for the Dutton’s ranch, Taylor Sheridan pushed the concept even further by using it to mark some of the best Yellowstone characters.
But what does the brand mean, and who among the Yellowstone cast wears it? Here, we explain everything you need to know about the Yellowstone brand, and what it signifies in the best TV series around.
The Yellowstone brand explained
The Yellowstone brand is the logo for the Dutton ranch, which is used on both cattle and ranch hands to mark their undying loyalty to both the ranch and the Duttons.
It may seem a little medieval in nature, or perhaps like something that could be found in the best Westerns of old, but for John Dutton, it makes sense. Many of their ranch hands are ex-convicts or no-goods, who were plucked from the system and given a life, home, and job on the ranch.
Often, the riskier hires or those with nowhere else to go are offered the brand. This means that they are committing to work on the ranch and will perform whatever duties are asked of them until their end. If you take the brand, you’re essentially swearing yourself to the Duttons for good, so we’d encourage you to think real hard before committing.
Equally, a ranch hand can work for Yellowstone for several years and not be branded. But if they commit a crime, or need the help of other branded hands (to exact revenge on someone, or get them out of a tricky situation), they must take the brand. If the Duttons risk their necks to help you out, the brand is the only way.
The brand is given just as you’d expect: a searing hot iron rod with the Yellowstone logo (seen below) on the end, pressed into the skin just below the shoulder blade. Once you’re branded, you’re considered a part of the Dutton family’s inner circle, in exchange for your commitment and loyalty.