♍

The symbol may have a single hump, rather than two, with the loop crossing the second downward stroke, or have three downward strokes but with the third ending in a tail, like the letter ɱ, without a crossing loop.

Unknown, but it has been suggested that the symbol derives from a letter M for (the Virgin) Mary in the Middle Ages, though the sign had earlier been identified with the goddess Ceres/Demeter. It has also been suggested to be a ligature of Greek παρ (par), for Ancient Greek παρθένος (parthénos, “maiden”).

♍︎

1. (astrology) The symbol for the sign Virgo.
2. (astronomy, rare) The symbol for the constellation Virgo.
3. (rare) August[1]
4. (alchemy, archaic) distillation

   Synonym: 🝠

(2): The 1833 US Nautical Almanac using the symbol ⟨♍︎⟩ for stars in the constellation of Virgo, here θ ♍︎ (Theta Virginis), ν ♍︎ (Nu Virginis), π ♍︎ (Pi Virginis).

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  A glyph from 1493
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  A glyph from the 1500s
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  A glyph from ca. 1750
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  A glyph from 1840
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  A glyph from 1908
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  Font variant
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  The symbol on a background colored as Mercury, the ruling planet
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  Coin with symbol and icon