Symbol for Start of Heading ␁

␁ (U+2401) is a standard Unicode character that you can copy and paste anywhere text is accepted. This page provides a concise reference with safe tips, internal links, and practical guidance so you can use it reliably across apps and platforms.

What it is and where it’s used: Symbol for Start of Heading is part of the Symbols family (block: Control Pictures). If you need styled or decorative alternatives, try our Fancy Text tool to generate compatible text that works in most modern interfaces.

History & usage: The character SYMBOL FOR START OF HEADING, code point U+2401, sits in the Control Pictures block. It is a non printing symbol used to mark the start of a heading in some text processing contexts. Its design mirrors control symbols rather than a letter, so it does not form words in ordinary prose. In plain usage, this symbol acts as a reference point in documentation and interfaces that map control codes to visible icons. The symbol is part of the Common script family, meaning it can appear in general text, though its use is rare in everyday writing. The provided usage note describes how stars are commonly used for ratings or to highlight favorites. This helps show how symbols like the start-of-heading pictogram serve as marks or indicators in lists, forms, or guides. In practice, people rarely see U+2401 in regular text, but it appears in manuals or tooling that visualize control codes. When it does appear, it is treated as a decorative or signaling mark rather than a letter or word.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+2401 in many development tools or editors. Some operating systems provide a character viewer or input palette that lets you search by name or code and insert the glyph into documents.

Display and fallback: if you see an empty box (tofu) or a placeholder rectangle, the active font might not include this codepoint. Switching to a font with broader Unicode coverage or using a fallback font usually fixes the issue. On the web, ensure the page’s font stack includes a general‑purpose fallback.

Related references: browse the Categories for similar characters. When choosing a symbol, prefer the official codepoint for semantic clarity and better compatibility with search, copy, and accessibility tooling.

See our category page for related symbols.