What is Neoulmini?
Neoulmini is a minimalist language created by I. Beklemishchev-Petrov in 2025. It uses just 12 symbols to convey fundamental concepts understandable to any intelligent beings — including animals, AI, and hypothetical extraterrestrials.
Based on principles of semiotics, cognitive psychology, and physical constants.
The 12 Symbols
Object
Any material item.
Action
Movement, influence.
Increase
Growth, amplification.
Decrease
Reduction, weakening.
Energy
Light, heat, force.
Barrier
Obstacle, separation.
Container
Space, vessel.
Danger
Threat, warning.
Question
Unknown, inquiry.
Connection
Relation, bond.
Eternity
Time, cycles.
System
Complex structure.
Grammar Rules
- Linearity: Symbol order = event sequence. Example:
● → ●= "Object acts on object". - Grouping: Combine symbols for complex meanings. Example:
□●= "Object inside container". - 4 Interpretation Levels: From concrete (Level 1) to abstract (Level 4).
Tense/Aspect Extensions (Community Interpretations)
While not formalized in the original grammar (Beklemishchev-Petrov, 2025), users have proposed these temporal markers:
→= Present action (default)→∞= Future/cyclic action↓→= Decaying action
Examples:
⊙ →∞ ● = "Energy will act on object" (future)
● ↓→ □ = "Object slowly entering container" (progressive decay)
Message Examples
!● → ↓ — "Dangerous object moves downward" (e.g., falling meteor).
□●§● → ∞ — "Connected objects exist eternally" (e.g., ecosystem).
⊙ → ● → ● → ●□§? → ‖●●● → ↑● → ● → ● → ∞ — Describes our solar system and an invitation for contact (see Appendix in original work).
Potential Applications
- Interstellar communication (like modern Arecibo message)
- Post-apocalyptic knowledge preservation
- AI-to-human mediation
- Cognitive research with animals/AI
Reference
Original work: Neoulmini PDF by I. Beklemishchev-Petrov (2025).