What is the backwards P symbol called?

Asked by: Sandy Heller  |  Last update: April 27, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (47 votes)

That backward 'P' symbol (¶) is called a pilcrow, or paragraph mark, and it signifies the start of a new paragraph or indicates hidden formatting in word processors like Microsoft Word, often showing where you've pressed Enter. Its name comes from the Greek paragraphos, meaning "to write beside," and it evolved from ancient script marks used to denote new sections.

What does the backwards p mean in the Bible?

The symbol ¶ is a typographical editing symbol which has been taken into modern word processing. It just means paragraph. So before King James Bible it means sends a message to the typesetter - or in this case the word processor to start a new paragraph here.

What does reverse p mean?

The paragraph mark (¶) represents a paragraph break in a document. It indicates where one paragraph ends, and another begins. When formatting marks are visible, the paragraph mark is displayed as a backward-facing letter "P" with two vertical lines next to it.

Is the pilcrow symbol still used today?

The pilcrow remains in use in modern documents in the following ways: In legal writing, it is often used whenever one cites a specific paragraph within pleadings, law review articles, statutes, or other legal documents and materials. It is also used to indicate a paragraph break within quoted text.

What does pilcro mean?

A pilcrow (¶) is a typographical symbol, also called a paragraph mark, used to show the start of a new paragraph, often appearing as a stylized 'q' or a backward 'D', and it historically marked new sections in text before indentation became standard, with its name evolving from Greek paragraphos (to write beside) through Old French.
 

What does that backwards P-symbol mean? | BBC Ideas

43 related questions found

What does the pilcrow mean in the Bible?

The pilcrow (¶) has an interesting history, and was gradually derived from the capitulum used by monks to mark new chapters and later used for new paragraphs or sentence markers, as the writer / scribe determined appropriate.

Why is it called a pilcrow?

It originally comes from the Greek paragraphos(para, “beside” and graphein, “to write”), which led to the Old French paragraph, which evolved into pelagraphe and then pelagreffe. Somehow, the word transformed into the Middle English pylcrafte and eventually became the “pilcrow.”

What is the (@) symbol called?

The at sign (@) is a typographical symbol used as an accounting and invoice abbreviation meaning "at a rate of" (e.g. 7 widgets @ £2 per widget = £14), and now seen more widely in email addresses and social media platform handles.

How do I get rid of the p symbol?

To get rid of the "P" symbol (pilcrow) in Microsoft Word, click the Show/Hide ¶ button on the Home tab, use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+8, or go to File > Options > Display and uncheck "Paragraph marks," depending on whether you want to hide them temporarily or permanently for all documents.
 

What does the double paragraph symbol mean?

In a reference to multiple paragraphs or sections, double the mark ( ¶¶ or §§ ). Though these marks are used most frequently by legal and academic writers, there's no reason others shouldn't use them (See § 31.4. 2 of the manual) . Why not? They look cool.

What does a backwards p symbol mean?

In Word, these markers indicate the ends of paragraphs, and are created when you press RETURN at the end of a line.

What is this symbol ▶?

The symbol ▶ is the Black Right-Pointing Triangle, universally recognized as the "Play" button for starting audio/video, but also used for "Next," "Forward," or "Expand" in user interfaces. It's a common Unicode character (U+25B6) indicating direction or initiating an action, a simple yet powerful icon across digital and analog media.
 

How can I insert a pilcrow in Word?

Insert | Symbols | Symbol and look for the Pilcrow Sign symbol.

What does the Trump Bible contain?

The "Trump Bible," officially the God Bless the USA Bible, is a special edition of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible that includes America's foundational documents, the Pledge of Allegiance, and lyrics to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," blending religious text with patriotic and political symbols. It's promoted as a way to bring faith back to America, featuring the KJV text alongside the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge, often with patriotic imagery like flags and eagles. 

What is the P symbol in Christianity?

You are speaking of the chi-rho monogram. Though the two letters look like P and X in the English alphabet, they are actually chi (looks like X) and rho (looks like P) from the Greek alphabet. They also happen to be the first two letters of “Christ” in Greek (Christos).

What is the backwards P with two lines?

The paragraph mark (¶) represents a paragraph break in a document. It indicates where one paragraph ends, and another begins. When formatting marks are visible, the paragraph mark is displayed as a backward-facing letter "P" with two vertical lines next to it.

What is the P symbol in Word?

Also known as a pilcrow or paragraph mark, the paragraph symbol (¶) is a type of formatting mark in Microsoft Word. When you have paragraph marks switched on, a paragraph symbol appears at the end of each paragraph when you hit return. They won't appear on your document when you print it.

What is the reverse p symbol in Outlook?

A backwards P is probably a paragraph mark. If you're seeing a backwards P it's easy to turn off, but also tells me you should change something else too. arrows, at the end of each line!

What is this symbol@ called?

The @ symbol — also called the at sign or at symbol — is one of the most recognizable characters on the keyboard today.

Is arroba a word?

The word arroba has its origin in Arabic ar-rubʿ (الربع) or "quarter," specifically the fourth part (of a quintal), which defined the average load which a donkey could carry.

What is the '@' symbol called in English?

The at sign, @, is normally read aloud as "at"; it is also commonly called the at symbol, commercial at, or address sign…

Why is it called an asterisk?

The asterisk (/ˈæstərɪsk/ *), from Late Latin asteriscus, from Ancient Greek ἀστερίσκος, asteriskos, "little star", is a typographical symbol. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a heraldic star.

Why is it called Sam Crow?

SAMCRO is the acronym for the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original, referring to the original charter based in the fictional town of Charming, California; "Sam Crow" is a nickname and personification of this acronym, also appearing in the founder's writings like his manifesto, "The Life and Death of Sam Crow,". The club uses variations like SAMTAZ for Arizona or SAMBEL for Belfast, with "Redwood Original" signifying its mother chapter's roots in California.
 

What is the pilcrow symbol in the Bible?

The pilcrow symbol can be very helpful in understanding the Bible. It marks off a new paragraph. Use it to identify main themes between "paragraphs" and new trains of thought. Just look for that cute little curly backwards 'P'--¶!