The Universal Language of Travel
Transport symbols are among the most recognizable pictograms in the world. Originally popularized by international airports (the AIGA symbol set) to guide travelers who speak different languages, they are now essential in digital communication.
Design Evolution
- The Airplane (✈): One of the oldest Dingbats in Unicode. In early fonts like Wingdings, it was black and white. Today, emoji versions add color and detail, but the text-based plane remains a staple for "Flight Mode" icons.
- The Anchor (⚓): A symbol of hope and stability in maritime tradition. In modern UI, it is rarely used for actual ships but is a popular aesthetic symbol in tattoos and branding.
- The Rocket (🚀): While originally for space travel, in the crypto and stock market world, this symbol has taken on a new meaning: "To the Moon" (rapid growth).
Mapping with Text
Before Google Maps, people used symbols like ✈ ⛽ (Gas), and 🏨(Hotel) to create text-based itineraries. These symbols allow you to create a compact, readable travel plan in a simple SMS or Tweet.