HTML Entity for Left Harpoon Barb Up (↼)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Left Harpoon Barb Up (↼) in HTML using the named entity, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This symbol is U+21BC (LEFTWARDS HARPOON WITH BARB UPWARDS) in the Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF)—a left-pointing harpoon with the barb facing up, used in mathematical notation, logic, commutative diagrams, and directional indicators.
Render it with ↼ (named), ↼, ↼, or CSS \21BC. Related: U+21BD (↽, left harpoon barb down / ↽), U+2190 (←, simple left arrow / ←).
⚡ Quick Reference — Left Harpoon Barb Up
U+21BCArrows block
↼Hexadecimal reference
↼Decimal reference
↼Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+21BC
Hex code ↼
HTML code ↼
Named entity ↼
CSS code \21BC
Meaning Leftwards harpoon with barb up
Related U+21BD = left harpoon barb down (↽)
U+2190 = left arrow (←)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing the Left Harpoon Barb Up (↼) using the named entity, hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\21BC";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Symbol using Hexadecimal: ↼</p>
<p>Symbol using HTML Code: ↼</p>
<p>Symbol using HTML Entity: ↼</p>
<p id="point">Symbol using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Left Harpoon Barb Up (↼) renders in modern browsers when the font includes Arrows block glyphs:
👀 Live Preview
See the Left Harpoon Barb Up (↼) in math and logic contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Named HTML Entity
↼ is the named entity for the Left Harpoon Barb Up (leftwards harpoon with barb upwards). Easy to read in math and logic markup.
Hexadecimal Code
↼ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 21BC. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
↼ uses the decimal Unicode value 8636 for the same symbol.
CSS Entity
\21BC is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce ↼. Unicode U+21BC is in the Arrows block. Previous: Left Harpoon Barb Down To Bar.
Use Cases
The Left Harpoon Barb Up (↼) is commonly used in:
Harpoon notation in math, logic, and scientific documents.
Commutative diagrams and formal proofs with harpoon arrows.
Show direction or relationships with harpoon-style arrows.
Illustrate specialized arrow symbols in guides and reference material.
Decorative or functional left harpoon in buttons, labels, and icons.
Document and teach HTML entity usage for Arrows block symbols.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Prefer
↼in HTML for readability - Use fonts that support the Arrows block (U+21BC)
- Set
<meta charset="utf-8"> - Pair ↼ with context (math, logic) so meaning is clear
- Keep one encoding style per project for consistency
- Distinguish ↼ from ↽ when barb up vs barb down matters
Don’t
- Confuse
↼(U+21BC) with↽(U+21BD, barb down) - Confuse
↼with←(U+2190, simple left arrow) - Use CSS
\21BCinside HTML text nodes - Assume all fonts render harpoon glyphs identically
- Mix named and numeric entities inconsistently in the same component
Key Takeaways
Four ways to render U+21BC in HTML and CSS
↼ ↼ ↼For CSS, use \21BC in the content property
Unicode U+21BC — LEFTWARDS HARPOON WITH BARB UPWARDS
Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF) — named entity ↼
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
↼ (named), ↼ (hex), ↼ (decimal), or \21BC in CSS content. All four methods render ↼ correctly.U+21BC (LEFTWARDS HARPOON WITH BARB UPWARDS). Arrows block (U+2190–U+21FF). Hex 21BC, decimal 8636. A left-pointing harpoon with the barb facing up.↼, ↼, ↼) go in markup. The CSS escape \21BC is used in stylesheets, typically on ::before or ::after. Both produce ↼.↼ is the named HTML entity for U+21BC. You can also use ↼ (decimal) or ↼ (hex) and \21BC in CSS.Explore More HTML Entities!
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