Infinity Symbol ∞ Meaning
From ancient ouroboros to modern mathematics — the story behind the figure-eight symbol of eternity.
Infinity & Eternity Symbols
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The infinity symbol ∞, known mathematically as the lemniscate, is one of the most powerful and evocative symbols in human culture. Its elegant figure-eight shape suggests endlessness, continuity, and boundless possibility.
The symbol was first introduced to mathematics by English clergyman and mathematician John Wallis in 1655, in his work 'De Sectionibus Conicis'. Wallis never explained why he chose this particular shape, leading to centuries of speculation. Some scholars believe it derives from the Roman numeral for 1,000 (CIƆ or CƆ), which the Romans sometimes used to mean 'many'. Others see it as a variation of the last letter of the Greek alphabet, omega (ω), which symbolized the ultimate or the end.
But the concept of infinity long predates Wallis. The ouroboros — a serpent eating its own tail — appears in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Norse mythology as a symbol of eternal cyclical renewal. Hindu and Buddhist traditions use concepts of infinite time cycles and the endless wheel of existence. The lemniscate elegantly captures this ancient idea in a simple, continuous curve.
In modern culture, the infinity symbol has transcended mathematics to become one of the most popular symbols in jewelry, tattoos, and digital communication. It represents eternal love, limitless potential, and unbreakable bonds. The symbol appears in Unicode as ∞ (U+221E, Infinity) and has become a staple of motivational design, fashion branding, and spiritual imagery.
Mathematically, ∞ is not a number but a concept — it represents something without any bound or end. It appears throughout calculus, set theory, and theoretical physics, where different sizes of infinity play crucial roles in understanding the universe.
Infinity Symbol Meaning — FAQ
The infinity symbol ∞ represents endlessness, boundlessness, and eternity. In mathematics, it denotes a quantity without limit. In popular culture, it symbolizes eternal love, limitless possibilities, and unbreakable connections between people.
English mathematician John Wallis introduced the ∞ symbol in 1655 in his treatise 'De Sectionibus Conicis'. He never explained his choice, but it may derive from the Roman numeral for 1,000 (CIƆ) or from the Greek letter omega (ω).
In mathematics, the infinity symbol is called the lemniscate, from the Latin 'lemniscatus' meaning 'decorated with ribbons'. The lemniscate curve was formally studied by Jacob Bernoulli in 1694 as a geometric shape.
An infinity tattoo typically represents eternal love, endless friendship, or limitless personal growth. When combined with other elements — like names, hearts, or feathers — it symbolizes an everlasting bond with someone or an unending commitment to a value.
The ouroboros (a serpent eating its own tail) is an ancient symbol of eternal cycles found in Egyptian, Greek, and Norse mythology. When depicted in a figure-eight form, it directly resembles the infinity symbol, suggesting that Wallis may have been influenced by this ancient image.
No, infinity is not a number in standard mathematics — it's a concept representing something without bound. You cannot add, subtract, or divide with infinity like regular numbers. However, in extended number systems and set theory, mathematicians work with different 'sizes' of infinity (aleph numbers).
A double infinity (two ∞ symbols intertwined) represents two eternal forces joined together. It's popular in relationship jewelry and tattoos, symbolizing that two people's infinite paths are intertwined forever — a bond stronger than a single infinity.
On Windows: hold Alt and type 236 on the numpad. On Mac: press Option+5. On mobile, it's available in the symbols keyboard. Or simply copy ∞ from this page. The Unicode code point is U+221E.