X mark

An X mark (also known as a cross, 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:

Symbol	Unicode Code point (hex)	Name
☐	U+2610	BALLOT BOX (checkbox)
☒	U+2612	BALLOT BOX WITH X (square with cross)
✗	U+2717	BALLOT X (cross)
✘	U+2718	HEAVY BALLOT X (bold cross)

The mark is generally rendered with a less symmetrical form than the following cross-shaped mathematical symbols:

Symbol	Unicode Code point (hex)	Name
×	U+00D7	MULTIPLICATION SIGN (z notation Cartesian product)
╳	U+2573	BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT DIAGONAL CROSS
☓	U+2613	SALTIRE (St Andrew's Cross)
✕	U+2715	MULTIPLICATION X
✖	U+2716	HEAVY MULTIPLICATION X
❌	U+274C	CROSS MARK
❎	U+274E	NEGATIVE SQUARED CROSS MARK
⨉	U+2A09	N-ARY TIMES OPERATOR
⨯	U+2A2F	VECTOR OR CROSS PRODUCT
🗙	U+1F5D9	CANCELLATION X
🗴	U+1F5F4	BALLOT SCRIPT X
🞩	U+1F7A9	LIGHT SALTIRE

See also

• List of international common standards
• Single-letter second-level domain
• Saltire
• Dagger (typography) † ‡
• Tally marks
• Check mark ✓
• No symbol   ⃠

Mathematics

• Multiplication sign
  • Cartesian product
  • Cross product

Subcultures

• Straight edge

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.