*️⃣

keycap: *

Unicode: 002A FE0F 20E3

Description

A digit 2 inside a square with a red border.

Group:

Symbols > keycap

Status:

fully-qualified

Emotion:

Neutral, typically used for numbering or ordering.

Backstory

This emoji sequence combines the 'digit two' (U+0032), the 'variation selector-16' (U+FE0F) which forces an emoji-style display, and the 'combining enclosing square' (U+20E3) which puts the preceding character inside a square. It was introduced as part of Unicode 6.0 in 2010.

Usage Examples

  • Marking the second item in a list: 'Item 1, Item 2️⃣'
  • Indicating a second attempt or round: 'Take 2️⃣'
  • In simple numbering: 'Step 2️⃣'

Cultural Differences

Western culture:

Often used for lists, second-place, or sequential numbering.

East Asian culture:

Similar usage to Western culture, for lists, order, or counting.