In logical argument and mathematical proof, the therefore sign (∴) is generally used before a logical consequence, such as the conclusion of a syllogism. The symbol consists of three dots placed in an upright triangle and is read therefore. It is encoded at U+2234 ∴ THEREFORE (HTML ∴ · ∴).^[1] While it is not generally used in formal writing, it is used in mathematics and shorthand. It is complementary to U+2235 ∵ BECAUSE (HTML ∵).

According to Cajori, A History of Mathematical Notations, Johann Rahn used both the therefore and because signs to mean "therefore"; in the German edition of Teutsche Algebra (1659) the therefore sign was prevalent with the modern meaning, but in the 1668 English edition Rahn used the because sign more often to mean "therefore".^[2] Other authors in the 18th century also used three dots in a triangle shape to signify "therefore", but as with Rahn, there wasn't much in the way of consistency as to how the triangle was oriented; because with its current meaning appears to have originated in the 19th century. In this century, the three-dot notation for therefore became very rare in continental Europe, but it remains popular in the British Isles.^[3]

Used in a syllogism:

The inverted form ∵, known as the because sign, is sometimes used as a shorthand form of "because". This is Unicode character U+2235 BECAUSE.

The therefore sign is sometimes used as a substitute for an asterism ⁂.

In meteorology, the therefore sign is used to indicate moderate rain on a station model; the asterism indicates moderate snow.^[4][5]

To denote logical implication or entailment, various signs are used in mathematical logic: →, ⇒, ⊃, ⊢, ⊨. These symbols are then part of a mathematical formula and are not considered to be punctuation. In contrast, the therefore sign is traditionally used as a punctuation mark and does not form part of a logical formula.^[6]

The graphically identical sign ∴ serves as a Japanese map symbol on the maps of the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan, indicating a tea plantation. On some maps the sign appears with thicker dots, used to signal the presence of a national monument or ruins.

The character ஃ in the Tamil script represents the āytam, a special sound of the Tamil language.

In Norwegian and Danish, a similar symbol is used as an explanatory symbol (forklaringstegnet). It can be typeset using the open o followed by a colon, thus: ɔ:. It is used for the meaning "namely", "id est", "scilicet" or similar^[7].

In Masonic traditions the symbol is used for abbreviation, instead of the usual period, essentially an initial or monogram continuing the meaning of "therefore", "standing for", i.e. "thus" (Latin: sic). For example, "R∴W∴ John Smith" is an abbreviation for "Right Worshipful John Smith" (the term Right Worshipful is an archaic title, just as "Land Lord" is and indicates that Brother Smith is a Grand Lodge officer).^[8]

Because the symbol is not usually available on keyboards and within fonts, and to prevent compatibility issues, users have substituted a colon followed by a period (":.") to represent it.