File:Pawphi furry symbol.png

Pawphi furry symbol by Kirara_Munashi'i.

A furry is a person with an interest towards anthropomorphic animals, which may (but does not have to) include attraction.

The PhiPaw is a proposed symbol to represent furries, The initial suggestion and discussion for this concept occurred in January 2007 on the Yiffstar's forums, on a thread entitled "Some discreet way of telling others we're furry." After a general consensus of using a "symbol" as a way to achieve this, an image combining or juxtaposing the Greek letter Phi with a fox pawprint icon (originally suggested by SalemFuchs [now known as Kirara_Munashi'i]) was created and deemed as the most ideal solution.
"Phi" (upper case Φ or lower case φ/ϕ) was selected as it represents both the letter "F" in the modern Greek language ("F"urry,) and the Golden Ratio, which some Yiffstar users perceive is a symbolic metaphor for the equal balance between furries and nature.
Although no definitive agreement was reached to "adopt" this symbol, there was general consensus that the pawprint may be able to reflect a fur's fursona, (ie, a wolf furry could have a wolf pawprint, a dragon could have a dragon clawprint etc.) and the color can also change (ie. rainbow pawprints for LGBT furs).
This symbol largely fell out of use and became uncommon in the wider furry populace. As of 2024, a generic pawprint was considered the closest thing to a "standard" furry symbol.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pawphi.png