The invention relates to a device for applying a marking to the human eye, in particular on the cornea, comprising a marking head (1) and a retaining device (2) that supports the marking head (1), wherein the marking head (1) comprises a marking element (4) and a support that retains the marking element (4) in a specifiable or changeable angular position, wherein the support is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the retaining device (2) or a reference line and wherein the marking head (1) can be detached from the retaining device (2).