What 𒊹 means
Its reading depends on the surrounding text. Sumerian scribes used ŠAR₂ for 3,600 in the base-60 number system and for “totality,” “world,” or “many.”
In Akkadian writing, it can serve as a Sumerogram—a Sumerian sign standing for an Akkadian word—such as kiššatum (“totality” or “world”). The subscript ₂ in ŠAR₂ distinguishes it from similar-sounding signs; it does not mean “two.”
Cuneiform's complete writing system is first attested at Uruk IV (c. 3500–3200 BCE), amid growing administrative and accounting needs.
Why does 𒊹 look like a black circle?
Its reference form is circular, though later styles differ. The Unicode Standard 17.0 chart describes it as a circular indentation made with the end of a stylus, and notes that ŠAR₂ shares a form with 𒄭 HI in all but the most archaizing texts. A font based on another period may draw wedges instead.
On a clay tablet, period and surrounding signs help settle which sign is meant. In Unicode text, 𒊹 and 𒄭 are separate characters even if a font draws them similarly.
Part of the collection
Who writes 𒊹
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What it means when someone sends it to you
3 readings3,600, a large unit in the base-60 counting system.
Don't confuse it with
1
Related characters
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Questions people ask
1Why does 𒊹 show as a box on some devices?
Not every system ships a font for the Cuneiform block. Where none is installed, the character shows as an empty box; adding a font such as Noto fixes it. The character itself is still correct and copies correctly.
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How to type or find 𒊹
- Also called
- shar2 · šar₂ · šar
- Search it as
- Sumerian · 3600 · totality · world · many · black circle · HI · two shar2
- Shows up in
- Anything that takes text · its shape is whatever your font draws
𒊹\122B9Codes and encoding1 code points
A visible symbol can contain several code points. JS .length counts UTF-16 units; UTF-8 counts bytes.