Step 1: Determine the UTF-8 encoding bit layout
The character ✺ has the Unicode code point U+273A. In UTF-8, it is encoded using 3 bytes because its codepoint is in the range of
0x0800to0xffff.
Therefore we know that the UTF-8 encoding will be done over 16 bits within the final 24 bits and that it will have the format:1110xxxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx
Where thexare the payload bits.UTF-8 Encoding bit layout by codepoint range Codepoint Range Bytes Bit pattern Payload length U+0000 - U+007F 1 0xxxxxxx 7 bits U+0080 - U+07FF 2 110xxxxx 10xxxxxx 11 bits U+0800 - U+FFFF 3 1110xxxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx 16 bits U+10000 - U+10FFFF 4 11110xxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx 21 bits Step 2: Obtain the payload bits:
Convert the hexadecimal code point U+273A to binary:
00100111 00111010. Those are the payload bits.Step 3: Fill in the bits to match the bit pattern:
Obtain the final bytes by arranging the paylod bits to match the bit layout:
11100010 10011100 10111010
SIXTEEN POINTED ASTERISK·U+273A
✺
Character Information
Code Point
U+273A
HEX
273A
Unicode Plane
Basic Multilingual Plane
Category
Other Symbol
Character Representations
Click elements to copy| Encoding | Hex | Binary |
|---|---|---|
| UTF8 | E2 9C BA | 11100010 10011100 10111010 |
| UTF16 (big Endian) | 27 3A | 00100111 00111010 |
| UTF16 (little Endian) | 3A 27 | 00111010 00100111 |
| UTF32 (big Endian) | 00 00 27 3A | 00000000 00000000 00100111 00111010 |
| UTF32 (little Endian) | 3A 27 00 00 | 00111010 00100111 00000000 00000000 |
HTML Entity
✺
URI Encoded
%E2%9C%BA
Description
The Unicode character U+273A, also known as the Sixteen Pointed Asterisk, is a specialized typographic symbol used in digital text for its unique appearance and visual impact. Its typical usage lies in representing a star with sixteen pointed sides, differentiating it from other common asterisks that have three or five points. In linguistic and cultural contexts, the Sixteen Pointed Asterisk does not hold significant meaning; however, it can be found in various design elements, graphic arts, and typography projects due to its aesthetic value. In technical applications, it may be used as a symbol for specific software, games, or online communities where unique characters contribute to individuality and creative expression. Overall, the Sixteen Pointed Asterisk offers an intriguing alternative to traditional symbols and adds a distinct touch to textual content.
How to type the ✺ symbol on Windows
Hold Alt and type 10042 on the numpad. Or use Character Map.