Fediverse Symbol ⁂It seems like a perfect time to (re)introduce ⁂ as a symbol for the fediverse! Read our proposal at https://symbol.fediverse.info
⁂ is called an asterism. In astronomy, it refers to groups of stars in the sky, akin to constellations. We suggest that it’s a very fitting symbol for the fediverse, a galaxy of interconnected spaces which is decentralised and has an astronomically-themed name. It represents several stars coming together, connecting but each their own, without a centre.
Thanks to the interconnected nature of the fediverse, it usually doesn’t matter if someone is a member of one platform or another. What matters is that they can follow each other as part of the fediverse. A single symbol to represent that belonging can often be more relevant than individual icons for each service.
⁂ could be the symbol for the fediverse.
⁂ exists as Unicode U+2042. As a typographical character, not an icon that needs to be inserted as an image, it’s unique-looking but standardised. This means it’s very easy to copy-paste around and insert anywhere! Its design style also automatically adapts to the font used where you insert it.
We know at least two previous symbols:
The pentagram icon is the original one, created back in 2018 by @drq and @eudaimon. It’s a great depiction of the decentralised nature of the fediverse! But its design is too complex to be used at small sizes, as you would in text or in a button, and it’s an image.
The other icon was made by Meta in 2024. It incorrectly depicts a centralised network. We also don’t believe that this corporation should be the one defining the iconography of the fediverse.
If you’re interested in our proposal, let’s chat about it! You can use the ⁂ symbol on your webpages and accounts, make badges and buttons, suggest changes for our webpage, make new translations of it, share your favourite ⁂ designs from interesting fonts, etc. Have fun with it!
Gabbo the wafrn guy@FediverseSymbol the problem with that is that we don't want corporations taking new unicode characters as logos, or worse, force their way in unicode
the old star one, this one, or (Im sorry) the meta one are valid options
Chao-c'@gabboman But Fediverse is not a corporation... so using single Unicode character as logo for open protocol seems pretty harmless... @FediverseSymbol
@FediverseSymbol @xChaos if a group of people does it, a corporation is just a group of people who tries to earn money
@gabboman well, using unicode character eg. as sign of compatibility doesn't seem as any kind of abuse. To federate social networks operated by different subjects is activity, just like eg. going by train, plane or so (also Unicode icons...)
@FediverseSymbol
@FediverseSymbol
The Witch of Crow Briar
Ål Nik@FediverseSymbol I like it. Will spread the word :)
Fabian (Bocchi) 🏳️🌈@FediverseSymbol ⁂ is just to small. I dont like it.
@fabiscafe it's size depends entirely on the thing you are using to look at it like any other piece of text. If used in image you can also change or modify it in many ways and its still recognizable.
@FediverseSymbol While it's true, let rephrase it to "it's to complex for its size in normal text"
Florian Fecher@fabiscafe @FediverseSymbol If an asterisk * from a typeface designed to perform well in normal text sizes is tripled to form an asterism ⁂ I wouldn’t call that a complex character.
Boyd Stephen Smith Jr.@FediverseSymbol I think I'll generally prefer the colored pentagram, but it will be nice to have a Unicode text symbol as well.
Social Justice Warrior🦍I prefer the token of two houses ⌂⌂
The house represents a town and two towns together represents how towns stands together.
By using this symbol, it better visualizes how the fediverse is built up. That is of towns that stands with each other.
Janne Kuusinen@FediverseSymbol Nice, but mercedesversish.