It seems like a perfect time to (re)introduce ⁂ as a symbol for the fediverse! Read our proposal at https://symbol.fediverse.info
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⁂ 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!
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