Female Sign ♀️

The biological/gender symbol for female—a circle with a cross extending downward beneath it, rendered in pink, purple, or neutral tones depending on the platform. The symbol originates from classical alchemy and astrology, where it represented Venus and femininity, and became standardized in biological and medical notation.

In modern usage, people employ this symbol to indicate female gender identity, mark women-specific spaces or discussions, or reference biological sex in medical or scientific contexts. It's also used in dating apps, forms, and official documentation. Beyond formal contexts, it appears in discussions about gender representation, feminist topics, or women-centered content.

The symbol carries cultural weight as both a scientific marker and a statement of identity. In social media, activist spaces, and community organizing, the female sign appears when centering women's voices or discussing gender-specific issues. It's distinct from emoji depicting individual women, offering a symbol rather than a character or person.

Designs vary by platform—Apple often uses pink tones while Google maintains more neutral colors—reflecting different design philosophies around gender representation. The female sign was approved as part of Unicode Emoji 4 in 2016, acknowledging the need for gender symbols in digital communication beyond simple characters.