warning
Unicode: 26A0 FE0F
Description
A black equilateral triangle with an exclamation mark inside it, surrounded by a yellow background. It typically represents a warning or caution.
Group:
Symbols > warning
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Conveys a sense of alert, danger, or a need for attention. It's not an emotion in itself but triggers a feeling of caution.
Backstory
The hazard sign (represented by the triangle with an exclamation mark) has been a standard symbol for danger or caution in many cultures for decades, notably in industrial safety and road signage. Its inclusion in Unicode reflects its widespread use as a critical communication element for warnings.
Usage Examples
- Warning about potential danger: 'Extreme caution is advised: ⚠️ slippery surface.'
- Alerting to an error or problem: 'There was an error in the submission: ⚠️ please check your inputs.'
- Notifying of important information: 'Attention: ⚠️ new policy update effective tomorrow.'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Universally recognized as a warning sign, often seen on road signs, machinery, and alerts.
East Asian culture:
Also recognized as a warning sign, consistent with its universal safety symbol meaning.