ISO/IEC JTC1/SC2/WG2 N2586R
2003-09-04
Universal Multiple-Octet Coded Character Set
International Organization for Standardization
Organisation internationale de normalisationеждународная организация по стандартизации
Doc Type: Working Group Document
Title:
Proposal to encode five miscellaneous symbols in the UCS
Source: Michael Everson
Status:Individual Contribution
Action:For consideration by JTC1/SC2/WG2 and UTC
Date:
2003-09-04
This document updates N2586 with changed code positions for some characters. Five symbol characters
are proposed in this document. The first is another recycling-related symbol, the PERMANENT PAPER SIGN,proposed for U+267E, which is widely used in packaging and publishing to indicate the use of acid-freepaper. This symbol has been formally standardized by ANSI (Z39.48 – 1984) and appears in ISO 9706.
267E

ä

PERMANENT PAPER SIGN

Above, from the copyright page of a book publishedin 1994. Top right, from a box of laserprinter paper,
2003. Bottom right, from the copyright page of abook published in 2002.
The second is the ubiquitous WHEELCHAIR SYMBOL, proposed for U+267F.
267F

ù

WHEELCHAIR SYMBOL

Number plates from Arizona (ù-577E),
Maryland (ù93750 HD ), and Virginia(291400ù); apart from the otherwise
very common use of this symbol, it
seems obvious that the use illustrated
here is indicative of a potential use for it
in governmental databases.
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The third character proposed is the ATOM SYMBOL, proposed for U+269B. This symbol consists of anatomic nucleus with three electron orbits circling it; it is a well-known symbol, and has even been
introduced into heraldry (see the coat of arms of the U.S. 10th Ordnance Batallion; the grant of arms wasmade on 1954-11-09). This character differs from U+2622 RADIOACTIVE SIGN in that it is not used awarning sign for radioactivity, but rather identifies atomic physics, and, as stated in Swedish below, from
Liungman’s entry in Tanketecken, is used to indicate atomic power and atomic power plants.
269B•ATOM SYMBOL“X stands for atomic power plant on anumber of maps and • is the mostcommon ideogram for atomic power andatomic power plants on maps and otherwise.”

The fourth character proposed is the SHAMROCK, proposed forU+2618. In addition to use as a general dingbat, this character issometimes used in lexicography to indicate botany or agriculture.
The sample below is taken from a monolingual Icelandic
dictionary, 1992. The annotation to U+263F BLACK CLUB SUIT isincorrect. Shamrocks have heart-shaped leaves; it is clovers whichhave round leaves. In addition, the club suit derives from themedieval tarot suit of batons or wands.
2618¶Shield: Crimson and yellow are thecolors for the Ordnance Corps. The
heraldic saltire simulates the Roman
numeral “ten” and alludes to the nameof the organization. The atom symbol,wrench and electric bolt, indicate thebattalion’s nuclear, mechanical, andelectrical support mission. The fleurde-lis symbolizes the unit’s European
World War II campaign honors.

SHAMROCK

The fifth character proposed is the FLEUR-DE-LIS, proposed for U+269C. This is a very old character, andis of particular interest as a named character: it is uniquely identified and recognized by its name. A
stylized lily or lotus flower (or, say some, a stylized frog), this symbol has many meanings. As a heraldic
sign it symbolizes martial strength (as seen in the military coat of arms shown above); it also symbolizedroyalty, and by extension perfection, light, and life. The Roman Catholic Church held that the lily was aspecial emblem of the Virgin Mary; the three petals of the FLEUR-DE-LIS made it also suitable to represent
the Trinity. In many modern contexts, the FLEUR-DE-LIS symbolizes French culture in general or theFrancophonie specifically. It is also an internationally-recognized symbol for Scouting. The FLEUR-DE-LIS
appears on coins and seals from at least the 10th century CE and continues to be used today in a variety ofcontexts.
269C©

FLEUR-DE-LIS“The sacred triad returns in the fleur-de-lis, theFrench lily. The fleur-de-lis began to be used in the1100s and then as a part of a large fleur-de-lis
pattern. Later the character came to be used as an
isolated ideogram for the ruling power (and claimto it) in France.
© is now also the international scout symbol.”

2A. Administrative
1. Title
Proposal to encode four miscellaneous symbols in the UCS.
2. Requester’s nameMichael Everson
3. Requester type (Member body/Liaison/Individual contribution)
Individual contribution.
4. Submission date2003-09-04
5. Requester’s reference (if applicable)
6. Choose one of the following:
6a. This is a complete proposal
Yes.
6b. More information will be provided later
No.

B. Technical -- General
1. Choose one of the following:
1a. This proposal is for a new script (set of characters)
No.
Proposed name of script
1b. The proposal is for addition of character(s) to an existing blockYes.
1b. Name of the existing block
Miscellaneous Symbols
2. Number of characters in proposal
53. Proposed category (see section II, Character Categories)
Category A.
4a. Proposed Level of Implementation (1, 2 or 3) (see clause 14, ISO/IEC 10646-1: 2000)
Level 1.
4b. Is a rationale provided for the choice?
Yes.
4c. If YES, reference
Spacing characters.
5a. Is a repertoire including character names provided?
Yes.
5b. If YES, are the names in accordance with the character naming guidelines in Annex L of ISO/IEC 10646-1: 2000?
Yes.
5c. Are the character shapes attached in a legible form suitable for review?
Yes.
6a. Who will provide the appropriate computerized font (ordered preference: True Type, or PostScript format) for
publishing the standard?
Michael Everson.
6b. If available now, identify source(s) for the font (include address, e-mail, ftp-site, etc.) and indicate the tools used:
Michael Everson, Fontographer.
7a. Are references (to other character sets, dictionaries, descriptive texts etc.) provided?
No.
7b. Are published examples of use (such as samples from newspapers, magazines, or other sources) of proposedcharacters attached?
Yes.
8. Does the proposal address other aspects of character data processing (if applicable) such as input, presentation,sorting, searching, indexing, transliteration etc. (if yes please enclose information)?
No.
9. Submitters are invited to provide any additional information about Properties of the proposed Character(s) or
Script that will assist in correct understanding of and correct linguistic processing of the proposed character(s) orscript. Examples of such properties are: Casing information, Numeric information, Currency information, Display
behaviour information such as line breaks, widths etc., Combining behaviour, Spacing behaviour, Directionalbehaviour, Default Collation behaviour, relevance in Mark Up contexts, Compatibility equivalence and other Unicode
normalization related information. See the Unicode standard at http://www.unicode.org for such information on otherscripts.
AlsoseeUnicodeCharacter
Database
http://www.unicode.org/Public/UNIDATA/

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UnicodeCharacterDatabase.html and associated Unicode Technical Reports for information needed for considerationby the Unicode Technical Committee for inclusion in the Unicode Standard.
The characters should have the same properties as similar symbols.

C. Technical -- Justification
1. Has this proposal for addition of character(s) been submitted before? If YES, explain.
No.
2a. Has contact been made to members of the user community (for example: National Body, user groups of the scriptor characters, other experts, etc.)?
No.
2b. If YES, with whom?
2c. If YES, available relevant documents
3. Information on the user community for the proposed characters (for example: size, demographics, information
technology use, or publishing use) is included?
Publishers and general use..
4a. The context of use for the proposed characters (type of use; common or rare)
To indicate the use of acid-free paper, and to indicate services etc. available for handicapped people.
4b. Reference
5a. Are the proposed characters in current use by the user community?
Yes.
5b. If YES, where?
In general use.
6a. After giving due considerations to the principles in Principles and Procedures document (a WG 2 standingdocument) must the proposed characters be entirely in the BMP?
Yes..
6b. If YES, is a rationale provided?
Yes.
6c. If YES, reference
Keep with other miscellaneous symbols.
7. Should the proposed characters be kept together in a contiguous range (rather than being scattered)?
8a. Can any of the proposed characters be considered a presentation form of an existing character or character
sequence?
No.
8b. If YES, is a rationale for its inclusion provided?
8c. If YES, reference
9a. Can any of the proposed characters be encoded using a composed character sequence of either existing charactersor other proposed characters?
No.
9b. If YES, is a rationale for its inclusion provided?
9c. If YES, reference
10a. Can any of the proposed character(s) be considered to be similar (in appearance or function) to an existing
character?
No.
10b. If YES, is a rationale for its inclusion provided?
10c. If YES, reference
11a. Does the proposal include use of combining characters and/or use of composite sequences (see clauses 4.12 and4.14 in ISO/IEC 10646-1: 2000)?
No.
11b. If YES, is a rationale for such use provided?
11c. If YES, reference
12a. Is a list of composite sequences and their corresponding glyph images (graphic symbols) provided?
No.
12b. If YES, reference
13a. Does the proposal contain characters with any special properties such as control function or similar semantics?
No.
13b. If YES, describe in detail (include attachment if necessary)
14a. Does the proposal contain any Ideographic compatibility character(s)?
No.
14b. If YES, is the equivalent corresponding unified ideographic character(s) identified?

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