How to Inscribe on Bitcoin Using Parent-Child Provenance

A Guide to Parent Child Provenance on Bitcoin Ordinals

Parent child provenance on Bitcoin Ordinals is a way to link inscriptions together through a permanent on chain lineage. Each inscription can reference a parent, and that parent can reference its own parent, creating a clear family tree of digital works. This structure helps collectors see exactly where a piece comes from and how it connects to a larger collection or body of work for provenance.

Step 1: Create Your Grandparent Inscription on Gamma

The first step is to inscribe your grandparent on Gamma. This is the top level inscription in your lineage and acts as the anchor for everything that comes after.

Your grandparent can be as minimal or expressive as you like. It could be a small text inscription with your name, a short artist bio, a statement about your practice, or even your logo. Text is the most cost efficient option. Once created, this becomes your artist seal on the Bitcoin blockchain. All future children can be linked back to this inscription, and those children can have children of their own.

Step 2: Inscribe the Parent Ordinals on Gamma

When your grandparent is in your wallet, you can begin creating the next level of inscriptions. These are your parent inscriptions. Each one will sit directly beneath the grandparent and form the foundation for your next collection or release.

You can now inscribe these parents directly on Gamma. Upload your files and select the option to link your new inscription to the grandparent. Gamma handles the provenance logic during the flow.

During the inscription process, Gamma will automatically read your ordinals return address. You can replace this address with another ordinals address if you prefer the inscription to return to a different wallet. Any ordinals address beginning with bc1p is valid.

Step 3: Link Your Family of Works on Gamma

Once you choose the grandparent for a new inscription, Gamma performs the actions required to establish the correct parent child relationship on chain.

When the inscription is complete, your family tree of works is fully established on Bitcoin. Collectors can explore each piece within the lineage and verify the entire structure through native on chain provenance.

Please note: It is important that you keep ownership of your grandparent inscription. If you sell it or lose access to the wallet holding it, you will not be able to add any further descendants beneath it.

Additionally, you can learn more about the ways to inscribe using the parent–child method here.