No symbol - Definition and Overview

An example

The no symbol is a circle with a diagonal line through it, surrounding a picture used to indicate something is not permitted. The No symbol is usually colored red.

The Unicode for the no symbol (also called the "Prohibition" symbol) is U+20E0; (  ⃠). It appears on top of the character before it, so putting A⃠ will show A⃠. (Note: this will only appear if you have the font needed.) It also appears in the Webdings and Wingdings 2 fonts.

Uses

The "no" symbol is used on traffic signs, so that drivers can interpret traffic laws quickly while driving. For example:

• No left turn
• No U-turn
• No parking

On European traffic signs, no diagonal line is used, i.e. the symbol is round with a red border and a (usually black) pictogram on white ground inside.

By analogy, the symbol is used in public places to refer to prohibited actions not having to do with traffic:

• No smoking (with icon of a lit cigarette)
• No littering (with icon of person throwing trash)
• No swimming (with icon of swimmer)

It is also used on packages sent through the mail, and sealed boxes of merchandise that is sold in stores. Using a graphical symbol is useful when the item must be handled by people who understand different languages as it is transported. For example:

• Breakable; do not drop
• Keep away from magnetic fields

In product documentation, this may be accompanied by humorous drawings of the product being threatened by the prohibited items: for instance, a cartoon of a floppy disk being menaced by horseshoe magnets.

It is also used on clothing, linens, and other household products to indicate the care, treament or cleaning of the item. For example:

• Do not iron

The punk band Bad Religion uses a "crossbuster" logo, with a black cross inside the circle.

Variants

In contrast, a green circle with no line through it may be used as a Yes symbol, indicating that the activity represented inside the circle is permitted.

In the UK, a filled blue circle (with no white inner circle) is used to indicate mandatory actions, e.g. the wearing of a helmet on a building site.

External links

• UK legislation regarding road signs (http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20023113.htm)
• Working drafts for UK road signage (http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_control/documents/contentservertemplate/dft_index.hcst?n=9241&l=2)