Pluto, a distant celestial body, has long captured human imagination, especially since its reclassification as a dwarf planet in 2006. Despite its changed status, curiosity surrounding Pluto, including its symbols, remains. Celestial bodies are often assigned symbols that convey their characteristics and influence, offering a shorthand way to refer to them while embedding meaning.
The Astronomical Symbol
The astronomical symbol for Pluto is a distinctive monogram of intertwined capital letters ‘P’ and ‘L’, resembling a stylized ‘PL’. This ligature is used in scientific contexts to denote the dwarf planet. The symbol is represented in Unicode as U+2647 (♇). Astronomers utilize this concise symbol in charts, diagrams, and scientific notation for efficiency and clarity, serving as a direct identifier for Pluto.
Meaning and Origins
The design of Pluto’s astronomical symbol holds dual significance, honoring the dwarf planet and a key figure in its history. The ‘PL’ monogram represents the first two letters of “Pluto,” the dwarf planet’s name. Coincidentally, these letters also serve as the initials of Percival Lowell, an American astronomer who initiated a search for a hypothetical “Planet X” beyond Neptune in the early 20th century. Although Lowell passed away in 1916, his efforts laid the groundwork for the eventual discovery.
Clyde Tombaugh, working at the Lowell Observatory, discovered Pluto in 1930, 14 years after Lowell’s death. The symbol was adopted shortly after this discovery, with the dual meaning serving as a tribute to Lowell’s persistent quest. The name “Pluto” was proposed by Venetia Burney, an eleven-year-old schoolgirl from Oxford, England. This origin story connects the symbol to the history of Pluto’s observation and the dedication of those who sought it.
Pluto’s Symbol in Astrology
Within astrology, the symbol for Pluto takes a distinct form and carries interpretations, differing from its astronomical counterpart. The astrological glyph for Pluto features a crescent above a cross, with a circle inside the crescent. Each component of this symbol represents fundamental aspects of existence: the circle denotes spirit or soul, the crescent signifies receptivity, and the cross embodies matter.
In astrological readings, Pluto symbolizes transformation, regeneration, and rebirth. It represents endings that pave the way for new beginnings, often involving a deep delving into the subconscious and the unearthing of hidden truths. This interpretation aligns with Pluto’s namesake, the Roman god of the underworld, who was associated with both death and the hidden wealth found beneath the earth. Astrologers view Pluto’s influence as a catalyst for personal evolution and the release of what no longer serves an individual.