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I saw this question on Reddit, but the backstory of the mark doesn't get explained properly.

Is the outsider's mark explained in-universe? Does it have any symbolic meaning? What's its origin?

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Originally, a triskele design was explored, as it referenced the Circle of Life. The three interlocking forms represent the bearer's killer instinct and their ability to be unseen. The mark then evolved to become something more tribal in nature and 'never before seen' as a reference to the Outsider's otherworldly nature.

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The Mark of the Outsider was designed by artist Charles Bae. Here are some of his concepts, visualizing the initial triskelion design, and the final rendition:

Mark of the Outsider concepts and final rendition, by Charles Bae
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On that same page, we can find more recent information about the Mark:

In Death of the Outsider, the Mark is revealed to be the Outsider's real name, written in a language only the dead can read. If Billie Lurk decides to spare the Outsider, the spirit of Daud whispers the name to her (which can not be heard here), and the Outsider is returned to the land of the living.
Whether the Mark itself has any power after this event is unknown.

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    Totally off-topic, but the marks on the right look like a Mangekyō Sharingan from the Naruto anime
    – Wondercricket
    Oct 15, 2019 at 20:15
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    @Wrigglenite If thoughtful design looks cool, then sure, one can belittle it that way. The extra part was added as just that: additional information, and relates directly to the initial triskelion design mentioned earlier in my post, giving insight, moreover, into what the designers thought would suit the otherworldly nature of the Outsider.
    – Joachim
    Oct 16, 2019 at 9:15
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    @Wrigglenite If you insist, I can take out the middle part (I thought of doing it right after posting it yesterday, but figured, like I mentioned, that a visualization of the process could prove insightful). I don't agree with what I assume is you saying that designing something is completely irrelevant to in-universe explanations: proper design has to take into account the limitations, possibilities, history, and style of that universe. How the designers of the game envision 'otherworldly' in relative terms is very much in-universe. Apart from that, it addresses the symbolism behind it.
    – Joachim
    Oct 16, 2019 at 9:30
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    @Wrigglenite OP's original edits (and intent) didn't restrict answers to cite in-universe sources only. Anyway, even if it just partly answers the question, it is still a valid answer.
    – galacticninja
    Oct 16, 2019 at 13:08
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    @Wrigglenite It was originally off-topic according to a very rigid interpretation of the closing reason, which has already been shown to not be the consensus. And if this is all technically correct, then what's your problem?
    – Joachim
    Oct 16, 2019 at 14:04
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The Outsider's mark is actually The Outsider's name written in a text only the dead can read. This is revealed in the third game, Death of The Outsider, along with how the Outsider's name is said.

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