A NEED ARISES
The 2002 Burn was approaching, and David Best was nearing completion of his third and most elaborate sacred structure, The Temple of Joy. But he wasn’t feeling joyful about what might happen to his latest creation. He was concerned about the potential for damage, inadvertent fires, and injury to Burners who attempted to climb the Temple walls. So, he contacted friend and fellow artist Termeh Yeghiazarian to brainstorm some possible solutions. What they came up with was the idea of volunteers, Guardian Angels, who would unobtrusively monitor activities in the Temple from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily, gently redirecting unsafe behavior and actions that disrupted the contemplative atmosphere that made the Temple so popular with Burners. It was the birth of the Temple Guardians.
SILENT VOICES
Termeh and David agreed that a staff of four Angels and one lead (who carried the group’s only two-way radio and hence was called “The Voice”) would provide adequate coverage without intruding on the serenity of the Temple. An additional “Angel in Waiting” stood by in case someone had to drop out during the shift or if something was needed by the team. The earliest Guardian Angels were excited about playing this helper role in the Temple, and wanted to look the part during their shifts by wearing wings. But this idea flew in the face of David and Termeh’s agreement to remain unobtrusive, nearly invisible. David told Termeh, “It’s our goal to influence the space invisibly while seeming to disappear when not needed.” Winged Angels hardly fit into that parameter. Nor did wearing wings or some other type of uniform make the Temple seem “mostly unattended,” another of David’s goals for the Temple Guardians.
THE HANDKERCHIEF & BELL
Eventually, Termeh and David agreed to a subtler solution: a simple kerchief especially designed to identify Angels. But Termeh had another concern: in the dark, would people be able to locate an Angel visually? And would Guardians be able to find each other? Termeh’s solution was a bracelet with a tiny bell, which she made by hand and gave to every Guardian Angel. Despite the fact that the bells were almost impossible to hear in the din of the Playa, both the bracelet and the kerchief remain Guardian traditions to this day.
THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
By the 2003 Burn, Termeh began to feel overwhelmed trying to handle staffing needs for the Temple Guardians using only pencil and paper. She asked one of her volunteers, Tall Tom, for help. Tom applied his expertise in spreadsheets to computerize staffing and assignments, vastly improving administrative efficiency. He would take over as manager in 2005 when Termeh moved on to other work. During this time, the Guardians expanded times that they served, requiring a much larger staff and volunteers. Meanwhile, the word Angels had disappeared from the organization’s nomenclature and volunteers were simply called Guardians.
Leadership of the Temple Guardians changed again in 2006, when Tall Tom was unable to attend the Burn and fellow Guardian Kilika took over the organization. Tom returned for the following two Burns. In 2009, leadership was split between two Burners, Skirblah and Liz. In 2010, the organization began to shift toward more formal structures regarding the burn perimeter, and in 2013, a period of transition brought further professionalization to training, work assignments, and the organizational structure.
THE GUARDIANS’ ROLES EXPAND
From the start, there was a recognition for the need to train the Voices (mostly in how to use the radio), but training was optional for the other volunteers until 2011, when a new training regimen was developed and made a requirement for all Guardians. The original training outline was just one page in length. Today the training guide consists of nearly 50 pages, including specialized versions of training for new Guardians, experienced Guardians, Voices, Offering Carriers, and Guardians who will be working on the burn perimeter the night of the Temple Burn. It’s now a requirement for new as well as experienced Guardians to attend training before signing in for a shift.
THE ORGANIZATION EVOLVES
The organization became part of the Art Department in 2011, reporting directly to the department’s associate director. As a result of this organizational change and the recognition of their role in maintaining a safe and secure environment in and around the Temple, Guardians garnered additional support as well as added responsibilities. This also marked the introduction of a dedicated radio frequency, which was critical to burn perimeter activities and day-to-day Temple operations.
A RETURN TO THE BASICS: HOLDING THE SPACE
In seeking to define the Guardians’ ethos, leadership consistently looked back to the wisdom of David Best. The philosophy evolved to focus on the Guardians’ role as an unseen force: watching for fire safety and personal wellbeing, appearing only when needed, and preserving the sense that a Burner is alone with their experience when they need to be. From this, the mission of “holding the space of the Temple” was solidified, joined with the strategy of “small pushes from great distances” to influence behavior while remaining largely invisible.
TRAINING & SUPPORT IMPROVEMENTS
Between 2011 and 2017, training numbers increased from about 40 percent of Guardians taking shifts to 100 percent. In 2016, Cherub—a fellow Ranger and a Guardian since 2011—was asked to become Operations Manager of the Temple Guardians. That year also saw the establishment of the Temple Guardians staff camp, designed to provide support to Temple Guardian operations. Meanwhile, the Guardians changed reporting relationships and became part of the Community Services organization rather than the Art Department, better supporting the overall ethos of Black Rock City.
THE TORCH PASSES TO CHERUB (2018)
Cherub took over as Lead of the Temple Guardians in 2018. Among other advances, he was instrumental in implementing Holacracy as the Guardians’ method of decentralized management. During his time as Temple Guardian Lead, Cherub brought a reverent presence to the role, holding space with deep intention and care. Under Cherub’s guidance, the Guardians obtained higher prominence as a Burning Man department, with the respect and collaboration attendant with that. He was also instrumental in strengthening the relationship with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, especially fostering a profound connection with Dean, the Spiritual Elder. Cherub’s tenure continues to guide how the organization approaches its sacred responsibilities.
CAPTAIN NAMED GUARDIANS LEAD (2022)
In 2022, following the Waking Dreams event which saw a return to the playa after a three-year absence due to Covid-19, the Guardian Council elected Captain the new Lead. As Council Lead for the Temple Guardians, Captain worked to nurture a culture of empathy, clarity, care, and collaboration. With a steady presence, he helped ease tensions, streamline communication, and strengthen the principles of distributed leadership and transparency. Captain’s influence is felt through trust, embodying the quiet service that defines the Guardians’ role at the Temple.
THE LEADERSHIP TEAM TODAY (2026)
The stewardship of the Temple Guardians continues to move forward under a distributed leadership model. Wizard serves as the Lead for the upcoming 2026 Axis Mundi event, guiding the organization’s regional and playa operations. Working alongside the Lead to manage operations and maintain deep connections across the department, Maven currently serves as the Deputy Lead, Temple Build Liaison and Communications Manager.
THE TEMPLE GUARDIANS TODAY
Currently, more than 400 individuals volunteer as Guardians throughout the event. Guardians and Voices patrol the Temple during each four-hour shift, 24 hours a day every day that the Temple is open. Before the gates open, Guardians stand watch along the Temple perimeter while the crew completes the build, and they do so again after the Temple has been closed on Sunday morning. A group of specially trained Guardians, Offering Carriers, carry offerings from Burners to the Temple, placing them carefully in a safe, but visible spot to burn with the rest of the memorials on Sunday night.
Like the original Angels, each Temple Guardian still wears a bandana designed exclusively for this Burn and to honor the Temple. And each bears on their wrists an inconspicuous bracelet with a tiny bell attached, just as Guardians have done since 2002.