An X mark (also known as an ex mark or a cross mark or simply an X or ex or a cross) is used to indicate the concept of negation (for example "no, this has not been verified", "no, that is not the correct answer" or "no, I do not agree") as well as an indicator (for example, in election ballot papers or in maps as an x-marks-the-spot). Its opposite is often considered to be the O mark used in Japan and Korea or the check mark used in the West. In Japanese, the X mark (❌) is called "batsu" (ばつ) and can be expressed by someone by crossing their arms.[1]

An x mark marking the spot of the wrecked Whydah Gally in Cape Cod

It is also used as a replacement for a signature for a person who is blind or illiterate and thus cannot write their name.[2] Typically, the writing of an X used for this purpose must be witnessed to be valid.

Contrary to the negation or negative perception delegated to the letter X, there is a significant resilience in the usage displayed by the letter's placement. This unique letter is also recognized as the symbol of multiplicity, the Roman numerical symbol for 10, and also the mark of a forgotten treasure. As a verb, to X (or ex)[3] off/out or to cross off/out means to add such a mark. It is quite common, especially on printed forms and document, for there to be squares in which to place x marks, or interchangeably checks.

It is traditionally used on maps to indicate locations, most famously on treasure maps.[citation needed] It is also used as a set of three to mark jugs of moonshine for having completed all distillation steps, while additionally signifying its potency (as high as 150 proof) relative to legal spirits, which rarely exceed 80 proof (40% ABV).

Among Native Americans in the 18th and 19th centuries, the X mark was used as a signature to denote presence or approval, particularly regarding agreements and treaties.[4]

In the 21st century, the X mark started to be used to indicate collaborations between fashion brands.[5]

Unicode

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Unicode provides various related symbols, including:

Symbol Unicode Code point (hex) Name
U 2610 BALLOT BOX (checkbox)
U 2612 BALLOT BOX WITH X (square with cross)
U 2717 BALLOT X (cross)
U 2718 HEAVY BALLOT X (bold cross)

The mark is generally rendered with a less symmetrical form than the following cross-shaped symbols:

Symbol Unicode Code point (hex) Name
X U 0058 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER X
x U 0078 LATIN SMALL LETTER X
× U 00D7 MULTIPLICATION SIGN (z notation Cartesian product)
Χ U 03A7 GREEK CAPITAL LETTER CHI
χ U 03C7 GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI
Х U 0425 CYRILLIC CAPITAL LETTER HA
х U 0445 CYRILLIC SMALL LETTER HA
U 2573 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT DIAGONAL CROSS
U 2613 SALTIRE (St Andrew's Cross)
U 2715 MULTIPLICATION X
U 2716 HEAVY MULTIPLICATION X
U 274C CROSS MARK
U 274E NEGATIVE SQUARED CROSS MARK
U 2A09 N-ARY TIMES OPERATOR
U 2A2F VECTOR OR CROSS PRODUCT
𝑥 U 1D465 MATHEMATICAL ITALIC SMALL X
𝓍 U 1D4CD MATHEMATICAL SCRIPT SMALL X
🗙 U 1F5D9 CANCELLATION X
🗴 U 1F5F4 BALLOT SCRIPT X
🞨 U 1F7A8 THIN SALTIRE
🞩 U 1F7A9 LIGHT SALTIRE
🞪 U 1F7AA MEDIUM SALTIRE
🞫 U 1F7AB BOLD SALTIRE
🞬 U 1F7AC HEAVY SALTIRE
🞭 U 1F7AD VERY HEAVY SALTIRE
🞮 U 1F7AE EXTREMELY HEAVY SALTIRE

See also

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Mathematics
Subcultures

Footnotes

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  1. ^ "What is Maru Batsu?". genkienglish.net. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  2. ^ "Notarizing for Blind and Illiterate Individuals". American Association of Notaries. December 2, 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  3. ^ "Definition of X at Merriam-Webster". Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, Inc. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  4. ^ Lyons, Scott Richard. X-Marks: Native Signatures of Assent. NED-New edition, University of Minnesota Press, 2010. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt4rt . Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
  5. ^ Yotka, Steff (4 Dec 2018). "When Every Brand Has a Collaboration, How Do You Make Yours Stand Out? Here Are 10 Lessons for 2019". Vogue. Retrieved 31 May 2024.