๐ Diamond Shape with a Dot Inside
๐ Meaning and usage
The ๐ emoji is geometric elegance with hidden depth. Officially called "Diamond With a Dot" or "Japanese Symbol for Beginner," its meaning varies greatly depending on context.
๐ Direct and initial: In Japan, this is the official road sign for "Novice Driver" (ๅๅฟ่ ใใผใฏ). It's mandatory for new drivers during their first year behind the wheel.
๐ Symbolic and internet meaning:
- Beginning, learning, apprenticeship. Can denote a newcomer in any field: "I'm here ๐ in this programming language."
- Style and design. Its clean, geometric shape makes it popular in aesthetic, minimalist contexts (in Instagram bios, as a bullet point in lists).
- Precious, luxurious, crystal. Associated with a cut diamond or precious stone. Less literal than ๐.
- Games and RPGs. Can symbolize a magical or empowering crystal , an interface element, or a special rare item (usually in Japanese or anime-styled games).
- Abstract concept: Clarity, balance, perfection of form.
How it appeared
The emoji ๐ is purely Japanese in origin . It was part of the first-ever emoji set , created in the late 1990s by Shigetaka Kurota for Japanese mobile operator NTT DoCoMo. Its inclusion was practical—to represent newcomers to the road. The symbol was later standardized in Unicode 5.2 (2009) and has spread worldwide, where its original meaning is not widely known.
Interesting facts
- Cultural code: For the Japanese, this is primarily a "shakensha-maku" (beginner's sign), which requires other drivers to be especially tolerant and cautious. In Japan, it is used strictly for its intended purpose.
- Not to be confused: It's often confused with ๐ (diamond). But ๐ is specifically a precious stone, symbolizing status and strength ("hard as a diamond"). ๐ is a more abstract, stylized, and multilayered symbol.
- Blank Slate Symbol: Because of its meaning of "beginner," it can symbolize potential, new beginnings, and a willingness to learn.
- Popularity in design: Its pure form and balance (the dot in the center of the diamond) are prized in graphic design and as a decorative element.
Combining ๐ with other emojis
๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ฃ๏ธ — Literal meaning: a newbie behind the wheel (especially in the Japanese context).
๐ ๐ ๐ โจ — Studying, gaining new knowledge, starting a journey.
๐ ๐ฎ ๐น๏ธ โ๏ธ — Game crystal, boost, magical artifact in RPG.
๐ ๐ โจ ๐ท — The theme is about jewelry, crystals, luxury (but in a more stylish, not ostentatious way).
๐ ๐งโ๏ธ โ๏ธ โฏ๏ธ — Symbol of balance, harmony, concentration (due to geometric perfection).
๐ ๐ถ ๐ฑ ๐ — A new beginning in a broad sense, “first steps”.
๐ ๐จ ๐ผ๏ธ ๐งฟ — An element of design, aesthetics, visual art.
๐ for SEO website promotion
The ๐ emoji will find its place on platforms related to Japanese culture, design, education, and gaming:
- Automobile and travel websites (Japanese/about Japan): Explanations of local traffic rules, tips for tourists.
- Educational platforms and courses: Designation of courses for beginners, starting levels.
- Design, architecture, fashion (minimalism): As an element of visual style in blogs, portfolios.
- Gaming (especially JRPG, anime-style): In fan communities, descriptions of game mechanics.
- Self-improvement and meditation apps: Symbol of a new stage, focus, balance.
- Japanese pop culture (anime, manga) websites: As a recognizable cultural marker.
- Jewelry design (conceptual): To indicate not so much the value, but the idea, the shape, the crystal.
๐ is a paradoxical emoji . It's simultaneously highly concrete (a road sign in Japan) and extremely abstract (a symbol of style and beginnings). Its strength lies in the purity of its form and the duality of its meaning. It's one of those rare emojis that embodies a piece of national culture that has become a global digital asset.
Check ๐ Diamond Shape with a Dot Inside (๐ ) emoji codes for devs:
Codepoints
Bytes (UTF-8)
HTML hex
HTML dec
URL escape code
Punycode
JavaScript, JSON, Java
C, C++, Python
CSS
PHP, Ruby
Perl
Unicode Name
Apple Name
Also Known As
Diamond Flower
Kawaii
Shortcodes
:diamond_shape_with_a_dot_inside: (GitHub, Slack, Discord)
How emoji ๐ looks on Apple Iphone, Android and other platforms