♆

♆ U+2646, ♆ NEPTUNE ← ♅ [U+2645] Miscellaneous Symbols ♇ → [U+2647]

Translingual

Alternative forms

• – the symbol commonly has barbs on the tines.
• – orbed variant common in German-language sources alongside ⟨♁⟩ for the Earth and ⟨⛢⟩ for Uranus, so that most of the planetary symbols contain an orb; sometimes with horizontal barbs on the outer tines so that those look like an inverted omega, ⟨℧⟩.
• – another common variant today; this form of Neptune's trident was used by Newton as a symbol for bismuth, before the planet Neptune had been discovered. Typefaces that use this form may harmonize it with Jupiter so that it looks like ⟨⟩ reflected on itself.
• Ψ – Greek capital letter psi is sometimes used as a typographic substitute.

When the symbol has a cross at bottom and the tines do not bear barbs, it may be identical to variants of ⟨🝁⟩, an alchemical symbol for for quicklime.

Etymology

The trident of Neptune, the Ancient Roman god of the sea.

Symbol

♆

1. (astronomy, astrology) Neptune.
2. (alchemy, archaic) bismuth.
3. (military) a common component of naval emblems.

Usage notes

As one of several alchemical symbols for bismuth, Neptune's trident is not attested with barbs on the tines, and is unlikely to have ever had a planetary cross or orb at bottom, but a distinct character is not available in Unicode, and it is identical to the design of the planetary symbol in some typefaces.

Synonyms

• (astronomy): ⯉
• Ψ

Derived terms

• (alchemy): 🜾 – bismuth ore

Gallery

• 
  A barbed variant
• 
  German orbed variant
• 
  Variant used by Newton for bismuth
• 
  A decorative crossed variant in the Netherlands
• 
  A decorative orbed variant in the Netherlands
• 
  An abstract variant
• 
  Symbol on a sea-green background
• 
  Transit of Neptune
• 
  A graphic substitute, Ψ
• 
  Neptune's trident in the emblem of a naval outfit