We know at least two previous symbols:
The pentagram icon is the original one, created back in 2018 by @drq and @eudaimon. It’s a great depiction of the decentralised nature of the fediverse! But its design is too complex to be used at small sizes, as you would in text or in a button, and it’s an image.
The other icon was made by Meta in 2024. It incorrectly depicts a centralised network. We also don’t believe that this corporation should be the one defining the iconography of the fediverse.