X mark

An X mark (also known as a cross, cross-mark, x, ex , X, ✕, ☓, ✖, ✗, ✘, etc.) is used to indicate the concept of negation (for example "no, this has not been verified" or "no, I don't agree") as well as an indicator (for example in election ballot papers or in x marks the spot). Its opposite is often considered to be the check mark or tick (or the O mark used in Japan, Korea and China). In Japanese, the X mark (❌) is called "batsu" (ばつ) and can be expressed by someone by crossing their arms.[1]

Not to be confused with Crossmark, CrossMark, or Mark X.

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

As a verb, to ex (or x)[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 and as a set of three, and to mark jugs of moonshine for having completed all distillation steps, while also signifying its potency (as high as 150 proof) relative to legal spirits, which rarely exceed 80 proof (40% ABV).

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 mathematical symbols:

SymbolUnicode Code point (hex)Name
×U+00D7MULTIPLICATION SIGN (z notation Cartesian product)
╳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
🗙U+1F5D9CANCELLATION X
🗴U+1F5F4BALLOT SCRIPT X
🞩U+1F7A9LIGHT 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.
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