Biohazard Symbol — History, Meaning & Copy & Paste ☣
The biohazard symbol ☣ is one of the most recognizable warning symbols in the world. You have seen it on laboratory doors, medical waste containers, and in movies about deadly viruses. But do you know where it came from and why it looks the way it does?
This guide covers the history, meaning, and usage of the biohazard symbol, along with how to type or copy it. We also include related hazard and warning symbols.
The Biohazard Symbol
Here is the biohazard symbol in its Unicode form — copy and paste it anywhere:
☣
Unicode: U+2623 | HTML: ☣ | Name: Biohazard Sign
History of the Biohazard Symbol
The biohazard symbol was created in 1966 by Charles L. Baldwin of Dow Chemical Company and Robert S. Runkle of the National Cancer Institute. They needed a universal symbol that would warn people of biological hazards — something that had no cultural associations and would be meaningless to anyone who had not been taught its meaning.
The design went through extensive testing. Baldwin and his team tested over 40 different symbol designs with people from various backgrounds and age groups. The final design — three interlocking crescents forming a circular pattern — was chosen because it was:
- Memorable — Easy to recognize after a single exposure
- Meaningless — Had no prior cultural associations
- Unique — Did not resemble any existing symbol
- Quickly identifiable — Could be recognized at a glance
- Easy to stencil — Practical for industrial use
The symbol was adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1967 and has since become the international standard for marking biological hazards.
What Does the Biohazard Symbol Mean?
The biohazard symbol indicates the presence of biological substances that pose a threat to human health. This includes:
- Medical waste (used needles, contaminated bandages)
- Laboratory cultures of microorganisms
- Blood and bodily fluids
- Toxins produced by biological organisms
- Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens
There are four biosafety levels (BSL-1 through BSL-4), with BSL-4 representing the most dangerous pathogens like Ebola and Marburg viruses. The biohazard symbol appears at all levels, but is especially prominent at BSL-3 and BSL-4 facilities.
Related Warning and Hazard Symbols
Here are other commonly used hazard and warning symbols you can copy and paste:
Biohazard vs Radiation Symbol
People sometimes confuse the biohazard symbol ☣ with the radiation symbol ☢. They are different symbols for different hazards. The biohazard symbol (three crescents) warns of biological threats. The radiation symbol (trefoil with a central dot) warns of ionizing radiation. Both are internationally recognized safety symbols.
How to Type the Biohazard Symbol
There are several ways to type the biohazard symbol depending on your device:
- Windows: Hold Alt and type 9763 on the numpad
- Mac: Open Character Viewer (Ctrl+Cmd+Space), search "biohazard"
- HTML: Use ☣ or ☣
- CSS: Use content: "\\2623"
- iPhone/Android: Copy from this page or use a symbol keyboard app
The simplest method is always to copy and paste: ☣
Biohazard Symbol in Pop Culture
The biohazard symbol has become a popular design element beyond its original safety purpose. It appears in video games (Resident Evil, Call of Duty: Zombies), on clothing and accessories, in tattoo designs, and as logos for bands and brands. Its distinctive shape and ominous meaning make it a natural choice for anything edgy or dangerous-themed.
For more warning and safety symbols, see our complete hazard warning symbols guide.