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]

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. The letter X represents perseverance and preservation. 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 also traditionally used on maps to indicate locations, most famously on treasure maps. 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. It is important to note that some signed the X mark under duress as most treaties would not result in favorable outcomes for the natives.[4]

Unicode

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

Unicode provides various related symbols, including:

SymbolUnicode Code point (hex)Name
☐U+2610BALLOT BOX (checkbox)
☒U+2612BALLOT BOX WITH X (square with cross)
✗U+2717BALLOT X (cross)
✘U+2718HEAVY BALLOT X (bold cross)

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

SymbolUnicode Code point (hex)Name
XU+0058LATIN CAPITAL LETTER X
xU+0078LATIN SMALL LETTER X
×U+00D7MULTIPLICATION SIGN (z notation Cartesian product)
ΧU+03A7GREEK CAPITAL LETTER CHI
χU+03C7GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI
ХU+0425CYRILLIC CAPITAL LETTER HA
хU+0445CYRILLIC SMALL LETTER HA
╳U+2573BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT DIAGONAL CROSS
☓U+2613SALTIRE (St Andrew's Cross)
✕U+2715MULTIPLICATION X
✖U+2716HEAVY MULTIPLICATION X
❌U+274CCROSS MARK
❎U+274ENEGATIVE SQUARED CROSS MARK
⨉U+2A09N-ARY TIMES OPERATOR
⨯U+2A2FVECTOR OR CROSS PRODUCT
𝑥U+1D465MATHEMATICAL ITALIC SMALL X
𝓍U+1D4CDMATHEMATICAL SCRIPT SMALL X
🗙U+1F5D9CANCELLATION X
🗴U+1F5F4BALLOT SCRIPT X
🞨U+1F7A8THIN SALTIRE
🞩U+1F7A9LIGHT SALTIRE
🞪U+1F7AAMEDIUM SALTIRE
🞫U+1F7ABBOLD SALTIRE
🞬U+1F7ACHEAVY SALTIRE
🞭U+1F7ADVERY HEAVY SALTIRE
🞮U+1F7AEEXTREMELY HEAVY SALTIRE

See also

Mathematics
Subcultures

Footnotes

  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.
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