We propose the symbol ⁂ to represent the fediverse.

We propose the symbol ⁂ to represent the fediverse.

…

⁂ 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.

…

@ is the symbol for e-mail. # is the symbol for hashtags. ☮ is the symbol for peace. ♻ is the symbol for recycling. ⁂ can be the symbol for the fediverse. ⁂ is standardised as Unicode U+2042, making it ready to copy and insert anywhere.

Git Repository: fediverse-symbol/fediverse-symbol

  • m-p{3}@lemmy.caEnglish
    9·
    6 months ago

    I’d rather see the current Fediverse logo added to Unicode than reuse an existing symbol. It’s not impossible, considering that the Bitcoin symbol (₿) ended up making it.

    • korendian@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      21 days ago

      Not that these are the common denominator we should be catering to, but I think a lot of religious folks would get some negative connotations from that symbol, considering how much it looks like a pentagram.

    • Clot@lemm.eeEnglish
      11·
      5 months ago

      I think it’s too complex to be a Unicode character

      • ulterno@lemmy.kde.socialEnglish
        3·
        5 months ago

        Looking at how current emojis tend to be hard to distinguish without increasing the font size (I see ~13 px on this page), I’d say the fediverse icon fits the criterion well enough.

        Also, I can see the icon in here well enough

      • AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        5 months ago

        Most Egyptian hieroglyphics are in unicode. However, there are many other reasons for it not to be included.

  • Handles@leminal.spaceEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    Whoever decided that a logo should be standardised as Unicode? That is the worst criterion for picking a symbol that has and will have hundreds of other uses than inline text. If it’s so important — work to have the current, pentacle fediverse symbol included in Unicode.

    Registering a domain to introduce your dumb idea with a lot of empty bravado leaves you with … an annual bill and a dumb idea. The pentacle symbol is so much more recognisable.

    • max@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      1·
      6 months ago

      is said in webpage: the pentagram symbol is hard to distinguish at smaller typographicl sizes

      • Tippon@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        1·
        6 months ago

        I’m reading this thread on mobile, and the fediverse logo next to the community name is much easier to see than the three stars. If I didn’t already know what the three stars were from the rest of the post, I wouldn’t have a clue what they were supposed to be in the body. They look like a blurry capital A.

        Obviously the fediverse logo is bigger there, which helps, but it’s not significantly bigger, and would still be clearer at a smaller size

  • elrik@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    5 months ago

    Its use looks contrived to me on the linked GitHub page. The comparison with @ and # is flawed because those symbols are part of the resource name, whereas here the symbol is superfluous. It’s like adding a 🌐 in front of every web URL.

  • mke@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    5 months ago

    However, its design is a little too complex to be used at small sizes, as you would in text or in a button.

    I wonder what the criteria are. Because ⁂ just looks like three blurry dots to me. It’s not making things worse, but I wouldn’t say it’s making them much better either.

    • aasatru@kbin.earth
      2·
      6 months ago

      And in white, for the dark mode folks:

      ⁂

      But it’s hardly a fair comparison, especially because it seems I cannot upload SVG files to Mbin. I also didn’t make the lines thinner or any other adjustments that might be a good idea at this scale. Still, might be better than noting.

    • cron@feddit.orgEnglish
      1·
      6 months ago

      At least on my screen and font size, the three asterisks are way too small to be recognizeable as a logo.

  • asudox@programming.devEnglish
    1·
    5 months ago

    Why though? We don’t need a symbol. Is it that hard to type “fediverse”? The fediverse logo is good enough.

  • Tippon@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    1·
    6 months ago

    Am I misunderstanding this - you want to replace a recognised symbol with a symbol that’s already being used by another group? That seems counterproductive at best.

    I’m also wondering, have you spoken to anyone with poor eyesight? This is my reply to a comment below suggesting that the new symbol would be easier to read:

    I’m reading this thread on mobile, and the fediverse logo next to the community name is much easier to see than the three stars. If I didn’t already know what the three stars were from the rest of the post, I wouldn’t have a clue what they were supposed to be in the body. They look like a blurry capital A. Obviously the fediverse logo is bigger there, which helps, but it’s not significantly bigger, and would still be clearer at a smaller size

  • Hal-5700X@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    6 months ago

    It looks like a bunch of snowflakes, making it very representative.

    EDIT Why change something that isn’t broken?