What started as a symbol of fear has evolved to become an icon of hope embraced by the bug chasing community, and others who associate the biohazard symbol with HIV. The biohazard symbol was originally created to warn others of the presence of hazardous materials, which is why bug chasers are attracted to the symbol. The symbol is associated with HIV because the symbol was originally designed to warn people about the presence of a virus, which gives the symbol a different meaning when it’s associated with bug chasing, because bug chasers seek out the virus and this symbol offers them hope and connection to the symbol, because it represents the virus they are seeking.
The biohazard symbol consists of three interlocking circles radiating from a central point forming a symmetrical shape that resembles a flower and was designed in 1966 by Charles Baldwin; an environmental-health engineer at the Dow Chemical Company. This symbol came about in response to the need for a universally recognized marker for dangerous biological materials and the design features bold, black lines chosen to make the symbol stand out against a variety of backgrounds.
As part of the design process, over 40 symbols were drawn up by Dow’s artists and were required to meet a number of criteria, including needing to be striking in order to draw immediate attention, be unique and not associated with symbols used for other purposes, be quickly recognised and easily recalled, be easily stencilled, be symmetrical to appear identical from all angles of approach and be acceptable to groups of varying ethnic backgrounds.
All parts of the biohazard symbol can be drawn with a compass and straightedge. The basic outline of the symbol is three circles overlapping each other equally, with the overlapping parts erased. The diameter of the overlapping part is equal to half the radius of the three circles. Then the three inner circles are drawn in with a two third radius of the original circles and a tiny circle in the centre has a diameter that is half of the radius of the three inner circles and arcs are erased. The arcs of the inner circles and the tiny circle are connected by a line, then to complete the design, the ring is drawn from the distance of the permitter of the equilateral triangle that forms between the centres of the three intersecting circles.
You will often see stickers and signs on sharps containers and waste bins in healthcare settings and on vehicles transporting hazardous waste material, with the purpose of such a symbol designed to warn others of the presence of hazardous biological agents. The intention behind the symbol is based on safety and to warn people about the risks associated with such material, no matter what language a person speaks due to this symbol being used all around the world without the need to use a word.
The biohazard symbol was often used by barebackers in the early days of barebacking to highlight the fact that they were prepared to have bareback sex and accept the infection risks involved with barebacking, even though these people may not have identified as being bug chasers or HIV-positive, but now the symbol is more commonly used by bug chasers and those who are HIV-positive to highlight the presence of the virus for those who are already HIV-positive or for the acquisition of the virus for those who are seeking to become infected.
The visual appearance of the biohazard symbol makes it the most popular symbol to represent HIV or those seeking to become HIV-positive, even though there are other symbols that are associated with bug chasing and gift giving, such as the scorpion symbol that signifies HIV transmission through the sting of the scorpion’s tail. Even though the biohazard symbol was designed to be black, you will now see some variations to the color of the design, as more people embrace the design for different purposes than what was originally intended.
In the early days of HIV/AIDS, the biohazard symbol created fear, stigma and shame, as those infected with the virus felt that they were associated with a symbol that reflected the need for people to stay away from them, and this created a divide and left some feeling alienated. With the changing times and the stigma being reduced as more people better understanding HIV/AIDS and more people embrace the biohazard symbol, the biohazard symbol has become an emblem of hope towards a positive future for the bug chasing community.
Featured Photo: Rupertrussell – Own Work, Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0
Article ID: CC082
Version Control: 1.0 – March 23, 2025: Original article published.
great article, Jason, thank you for the deep dive into the biohazard symbol and how its meaning has changed and adapted. when i see a guy with a bio tat, it’s immediately sends a big exciting sensation all through me!
yeah damn how I love this symbol. I respect the scorpion (one of my best poz fucks Liam has the scorpion tat) and the black widow spider and all the others but this is the symbol that really gets me going. Whether it is on a man’s stomach, back(right above that hungry ass or as Scott calls it bugcatcher) or wherever, it turns me on. I guess because there is really only one reason for a biohazard tattoo that I know of and that is hiv. No one is born under the sign of biohazard and the other symbols generally have some additional meanings to them but generally (except for some specialized military uses) it symbolizes the presence of hiv. I can hardly wait until I feel I have earned one.
Me too! For me the symbol does not only the presence of the virus. It’s also a sign that the poz man is loving the same “category” of sex.
First time I saw it as a badge of pride was in an adult bookstore theater above a guy’s cock in the late ’90’s. I felt fear and sexual excitement at the same time. He looked sexy healthy man with a nice cock. From the glow of the movie screen, the biohazard was clear. My playmate in the theater bended over and willing accepted him taking his turn in his ass. Going forward in my mind, unless I changed my behavior. I too would have this virus in my blood. Have I two tattoos’ years later.