We propose the symbol ⁂ to represent the fediverse.
Paste it anywhere
⁂ is a typographical character, not an icon that needs to be inserted as an image. Unique-looking, but standardised. This means it’s very easy to copy-paste around! Its design style also automatically adapts to the font used where you insert it.
Written in the stars
⁂ 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.
The fediverse?
The fediverse is an ensemble of social networks and communities that can all communicate with each other. Together, they form this “federated universe”. It includes social media projects such as Mastodon, Akkoma or Firefish, media sharing platforms such as Pixelfed and PeerTube, certain WordPress blogs, and many others. If you’re a member of one of those, you can follow and interact with anyone on any other.
The need for a symbol
Thanks to the interconnected nature of the fediverse, it usually doesn’t matter if someone is a member of one platform or another. What matters is that they can follow each other as part of the fediverse. A single symbol to represent that belonging can often be more relevant than individual icons for each service.
@ is the symbol for e-mail. # is the symbol for hashtags. φ is the symbol for philosophy. ♻ is the symbol for recycling. ⁂ can be the symbol for the fediverse.
Previously
The pentagram icon is the original symbol for the fediverse, created back in 2018 by Dr. Quadragon and Eukombos. It’s a great depiction of the decentralised nature of the fediverse, and has been serving the community well. However, its design is a little too complex to be used at small sizes, as you would in text or in a button. It’s also only available in image form, not as a typographical character.
This other icon was created by Meta in 2024 to represent the fediverse within their product Threads. It incorrectly depicts a centralised network, with a big planet in the middle and the rest around it. We also don’t believe that a large corporation that is joining in as late should be the one defining the iconography for the fediverse.
In most cases, you won’t need to download anything. Just copy the ⁂ symbol and insert it anywhere. In case you need however, see below for ready-made badges and buttons.
