Black Cross on Shield ⛨

⛨ (U+26E8) 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: Black Cross on Shield is part of the Symbols family (block: Miscellaneous Symbols). 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 symbol is known as BLACK CROSS ON SHIELD and carries the codepoint U+26E8 in the character set. It appears in the Miscellaneous Symbols block and uses the Common script. This gives it a general and portable look across many systems and languages. In history and usage notes, the symbol is used in various contexts where a strong cross mark is needed on a badge or shield-like shape. In user interfaces, a cross symbol often denotes actions such as close or delete, depending on the surrounding design. It can also signal an incorrect or rejected state when shown next to options or results. The exact meaning can shift with layout, color, and accompanying text, so context matters. Designers choose this sign to convey a binary choice or a corrective step without extra words. Because it is a neutral, simple mark, it fits many symbolic roles. Overall, its function depends on where it appears and what action it relates to in the interface or display.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+26E8 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.