Infinity Symbol
About Infinity Symbol
∞ is the infinity symbol, a mathematical character representing endlessness, boundlessness, and eternity. The infinity symbol ∞ depicts a continuous loop with no beginning or end, making it a powerful visual metaphor for concepts beyond finite measurement in mathematics, philosophy, and popular culture.
The infinity symbol ∞ takes the form of a horizontal figure-eight lying on its side. As a Unicode character, the infinity symbol holds codepoint U+221E within the Mathematical Operators block, ensuring broad compatibility across fonts and platforms. The infinity symbol is distinct from the ohm symbol Ω, which is shaped like an upside-down U rather than a figure-eight.
【Historical Origin】 The infinity symbol was introduced by English mathematician John Wallis in 1655 in his work "De Sectionibus Conicis". The infinity symbol may derive from the Roman numeral for 1000 (CIƆ) or the Greek letter omega (ω), the last letter symbolizing ultimate endings. Wallis chose the infinity symbol to represent mathematical infinity, and it has since become one of the most recognizable mathematical symbols worldwide.
【Modern Usage】 Today the infinity symbol appears in calculus limits, set theory, and cosmology. Beyond mathematics, the infinity symbol is popular in jewelry, tattoos, and branding, often combined with hearts or names to express eternal love. The infinity symbol also appears in metaphysical contexts representing unlimited potential and spiritual boundlessness.
How to Type Infinity Symbol
Windows Input
Method 1: Hold Alt and type 8734 on the numeric keypad; Method 2: Type wuqiong in Chinese input method and select ∞; Method 3: Use Character Map to copy the infinity symbol.
Mac Input
Method 1: Press Option + 5 to directly type the infinity symbol ∞; Method 2: Press Control + Command + Space to open Character Viewer and search "infinity"; Method 3: Use the Emoji & Symbols panel for the infinity symbol.
HTML/CSS Input
HTML: ∞ or ∞ or ∞; CSS: content: "\221E";
LaTeX Input
Use \infty to type the infinity symbol ∞ in LaTeX math mode. For text mode, use \text{\infty} or the textcomp package for proper rendering of the infinity symbol.
Infinity Symbol FAQ
What does the infinity symbol ∞ represent in mathematics?
In mathematics, the infinity symbol represents quantities larger than any finite number, used in limits, infinite series, and cardinality of infinite sets. The infinity symbol denotes potential infinity (an unending process) and actual infinity (a completed infinite set) in set theory.
Is the infinity symbol related to the ohm symbol?
The infinity symbol ∞ and the ohm symbol Ω look distinctly different—the infinity symbol is a horizontal figure-eight, while the ohm symbol (uppercase omega) is shaped like an upside-down U with feet. They are entirely separate characters with different meanings: infinity for endlessness, ohm for electrical resistance.
Why is the infinity symbol popular in tattoos and jewelry?
The infinity symbol represents eternal love, endless possibilities, and timelessness, making it a meaningful design for tattoos and jewelry. The infinity symbol is often combined with names, hearts, or feathers to personalize its meaning of infinite connection.
What is the Unicode codepoint for the infinity symbol?
The Unicode codepoint for the infinity symbol is U+221E. Its HTML entity is ∞ and decimal reference is ∞. The infinity symbol is part of the Mathematical Operators block and enjoys universal support across all modern systems and fonts.