star
Unicode: 2B50
Description
A five-pointed, symmetrical star, typically yellow or golden in color, often associated with brilliance, excellence, or achievement.
Group:
Travel & Places > sky & weather
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Typically represents approval, quality, success, achievement, or general positivity. Can also denote a 'star' person or item.
Backstory
The star symbol has ancient origins across many cultures, representing celestial bodies, divinity, and guidance. In digital communication, it was adopted early to signify quality, importance, or to grab attention, especially in user interfaces for rating systems.
Usage Examples
- Rating a product: 'This hotel deserves 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'
- Indicating excellence: 'You did a star job on that presentation! ⭐'
- Marking favorites: 'Add this to my favorites ⭐'
- Referring to fame: 'She's a rising star in Hollywood! ⭐'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Widely used for ratings (e.g., 5-star rating), symbols of fame (movie stars), or military rank.
East Asian culture:
Similar uses for ratings and excellence. Can also be a common symbol in national flags and political emblems.