The Option key functions similarly to the AltGr key on many PC keyboards, which explains why it also has “Alt” printed on it. The Control (Ctrl) key is also present, but it isn’t used for as many things. In summary, on a Mac, you’ll probably be pressing the Command key to issue keyboard shortcuts. It’s an old symbol used in Nordic countries to indicate places of interest - in Sweden, it’s the official sign for a tourist attraction. A designer chose the ⌘ symbol to replace it. The Command key originally had an Apple logo on it, but Steve Jobs thought displaying the Apple logo throughout the original Macintosh’s menu would be overusing the logo. This symbol appears throughout the Mac’s menus to indicate when you can press the Command key along with another key to issue a keyboard shortcut. For example, while you press Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, and Ctrl+V to copy, cut, and paste on Windows, you press Command+C, Command+X, and Command+V to do the same on a Mac. It’s a modifier key you can press to issue keyboard shortcuts to applications. The Command key doesn’t do anything on its own.
