A tuq Degh was the family crest of a Klingon house. Many Klingons choose to attach a carving of their tuq Degh to the handles of their knives and other weapons. (tlhIngan Hol reference: Klingon for the Galactic Traveler) Sometimes, a bit of metal would be shaped into a tuq Degh and used as an insignia identification. The tuq Degh was then used to show what family a Klingon baby belonged to. (ST novel: Excelsior: Forged in Fire)