1North Korean Mileage Stars
Vehicles in North Korea display stars, each representing 50,000 kilometers traveled without incidents.
2. The @ symbol was selected for the first electronic mail because the developer sought a rarely used symbol.
3. Purple butterfly stickers on incubators indicate infants with a deceased twin.
4. The Red Hand is Ulster's symbol due to a myth involving a boat race to determine a king. A contender, about to lose, severed his hand (staining it red) and threw it ashore to claim victory.
5. Sunflowers (lanyards, buttons, etc.) are a universal sign for those who have hidden disabilities, and there's a massive network that supports this signage.
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6Peace Symbol's Semaphore Roots
The Peace Symbol represents the flag semaphores for ‘N’ (flags held at 5 and 7 o’clock positions) and ‘D’ (flags held at 12 and 6 o’clock) and stands for Nuclear Disarmament.
7. Dunce caps were originally a sign of high intelligence and wisdom. Philosopher and theologian John Duns Scotus was a proponent of pointy hats as a way to funnel knowledge to the mind, and his followers, called Dunsmen, wore them. By the 1500s, the Dunsmen fell out of favor as "behind the times".
8. The lightbulb is the universal symbol for a new idea because of Felix the Cat cartoons.
9. Most hotel rooms in Arab countries have a sticker or sign that shows which way Mecca is, so Muslim guests know which way to pray.
10. There is an "official" Unicode anger symbol. It's 💢, which represents veins on your forehead when your blood pressure rises.
11Thor's Hammer on Gravestones
The Hammer of Thor is an approved religious symbol for veteran gravestones in the US, and two soldiers have such headstones.
12. In Japan, a sticker system alerts other drivers to the driver's experience or age. "Shoshinsha" stickers indicate young drivers, while "Koreisha" stickers mark elderly drivers on their cars.
13. In American films, an "&" among multiple writers signifies collaborative scriptwriting, whereas "and" indicates independent work on separate drafts.
14. The 'Yin and Yang' symbol originated as a late Roman Army shield design, predating Taoist representations by nearly 700 years.
15. The stereotypical anchor tattoo indicated a sailor had crossed the Atlantic.
16Crossing Fingers for Luck
Crossing fingers for luck mimics a Christian symbol, invoking protection by resembling a cross.
17. The caduceus symbol, often misused by American medical companies, is associated with thievery and commerce. The true medical symbol is the similar-looking Rod of Asclepius.
18. The blue star on elevators, known as the Star of Life, signifies the elevator's capacity for holding a stretcher.
19. Many elevators in Denmark have a button labeled 'I fart,' translating to 'in motion.' During Queen Elizabeth II's 1960 visit, these buttons were covered with tape in the elevators she used.
20. Ghost Bikes, bicycles painted entirely white, serve as memorial markers for cyclist fatalities.
21Comic's Grawlix Censorship
The "@#$%&!" symbols used in comics to censor language are known as grawlixes.
22. The 'XXX' mark on alcohol bottles in cartoons holds significance. Originally denoting beer strength by breweries, 'X' indicated the weakest, while three 'XXX' symbols signified the strongest.
23. A gin pennant, also known as a gin flag or drinking pennant, is a maritime flag. When flown on a ship, it extends an open invitation to other ships' officers for onboard drinks.
24. Fire hydrant colors serve as indicators of water pressure rather than mere decoration.
25. The arrow symbol (→) emerged relatively recently. While sporadically used in the 18th century, arrow symbols gained widespread usage only in the late 19th century. Pointing hand symbols (☞) were prevalent for centuries before the invention of the arrow symbol.
