Japanese “Prohibited” Button 🈲

The 🈲 emoji features the kanji 禁止 (kinshi), meaning "prohibited" or "forbidden," rendered in white on a red circular button. The design mimics authentic Japanese warning signage, creating an instantly recognizable visual symbol of restriction or rules.

People use this emoji to mark off-limits topics, indicate something isn't allowed, or humorously signal that a subject is off the table in conversation. It works well in group chats when establishing boundaries—no jokes about a certain topic, don't bring up an ex, that sort of thing. The playful formality of the Japanese button style makes it feel more lighthearted than a simple "no."

Beyond casual messaging, it appears in business contexts, community guidelines, or anywhere rules need gentle but clear enforcement. The universal red-and-white color scheme communicates "stop" or "don't" across language barriers, though the Japanese kanji adds cultural specificity.

Approved in 2010 as part of Unicode Emoji 0.6, this symbol joins a collection of Japanese regulatory buttons that have become integral to digital communication, blending traditional signage conventions with modern emoji culture.