The importance of images in written communication is sometimes overlooked. However, small symbols, including emojis, can convey useful messages in everyday life, especially for those who can't read, images can be enough. This is the case for the skull and crossbones ☠ emoji, which is mainly used to warn someone that a situation or product is dangerous.
Read our article to find out more les significations de l’émoji tête de mortits origin, uses and characteristics.

☠The meaning and different uses of emoji
You often see this little image on a pirate flag. It is presented by a human skull behind which there are two cross-shaped, having two large eye sockets of black color, a heart-shaped nose, white teeth formed in a row. This emoji primarily signifies death or danger. Indeed, it is used to translate the funereal or morbid character of a situation. Of course, this emoji is also associated with the Halloween party.
Next, the crossbones skull emoji is used to warn of a health hazard such as a particular liquid, food, or product. It can also be used to warn a friend about a toxic person, whether in friendship or in a romantic relationship.

Phrases that may include the crossbones skull emoji include:
- Be careful with tobacco please ☠.
- You shouldn't drink too much alcohol, it's ☠.
- This person doesn't inspire confidence in me ☠, don't get too attached to them.
The origin of the skull emoji
This skull emoji with crossbones belongs to the 2013 proposal, number L2/13-207. Discover below all the details concerning this proposal:
- Number : L2/13-207
- Last name : Which characters should have emoji-style by default?
- Proposed by : Mark Davis
- Year of proposal: 2013
- Number of emojis belonging to the same proposal: 41
- Case : 207, 2013 HTML: EMOJI
The crossbones skull emoji ☠ proposal was approved by the Unicode Consortium, having no Emoji version.
Characteristics of the skull smiley
You should know that this is a base emoji with no variant symbol. Two sequences of Emoji variations correspond to it, including:
- The emoji style: colorful symbols on almost all new platforms;
- Text style: black and white symbols on some old platforms.
In any case, even if this emoji has been authorized by the Unicode organization, the latter does not yet recommend its use as a universal emoji symbol. In summary, the characteristics of the crossbones skull emoji are as follows:
| Usual name | skull |
| Category | Smilies and Emotions |
| Sub-category | face-negative |
| code point | U+2620 Copy |
| Decimal | ALT+9760 |
| unicode | 1.1 (1993-06) |
| Key words | Skull-death-head-bones-death's-head |
| Other names | Poison Emoji;
· Emoji toxicity; Poison emoji. |
As you will have understood, the skull emoji with crossbones expresses death ☠, but above all the danger linked to the toxicity of a product or a person. So use it to warn your loved one.






