radioactive
Unicode: 2622
Description
A skull and crossbones symbol, often associated with danger, death, or piracy.
Group:
Symbols > warning
Status:
unqualified
Emotion:
Typically represents danger, warning, death, poison, or piracy. Can also be used playfully for something 'deadly' good (e.g., 'deadly' delicious food) or as a pirate symbol.
Backstory
The skull and crossbones is a very old and universally recognized symbol. Its use as a hazard warning dates back centuries, commonly found on flags of pirates and in medical contexts for poison. It was incorporated into Unicode as early as Unicode 1.1 (1993) as a symbol for general use, given its widespread recognition.
Usage Examples
- Warning about something dangerous: 'Beware of toxic chemicals! ☠️'
- Indicating poison: 'Do not ingest! ☠️'
- Referring to pirates: 'Ahoy, matey! ☠️'
- In a playful, exaggerated context: 'That exam was deadly! ☠️'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Widely recognized as a symbol for poison, danger, death, or pirates. Used in warnings or halloween contexts.
East Asian culture:
Similar recognition, often used in similar contexts for warnings or playful imagery related to pirates or danger.