The pilcrow (¶)

[A18]

The pilcrow (¶) is often used to cite a specific paragraph. Problem is, the symbol is absolutely hideous. Surely there's a better alternative; perhaps an ampersand (&), a tilde (~), or even an asterisk (*).

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

I've gotten quite used to it.  Then again, I enjoy most of the older style publishing relics.

[Хahar 🤔]

It looks much better handwritten.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

FF.  I have no reason to call it an HS

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

it appears to be looking to the left, so it is a horrible symbol

[Alcon]

Makes for the world's creepiest emoticon.

¶_¶;;;

[Bacon King]

Makes for the world's creepiest emoticon.

¶_¶;;;

ಠ_ಠ

[Storebought]

I don't care much for the cedilla myself.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Not bad at all.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I don't care much for the cedilla myself.

Can we even use that here?

[MODU]

The pilcrow (¶) is often used to cite a specific paragraph. Problem is, the symbol is absolutely hideous. Surely there's a better alternative; perhaps an ampersand (&), a tilde (~), or even an asterisk (*).

The ampersand, tilde, and asterisk already have defined meanings in the written language, so they would be a poor choice to denote the end of a paragraph.  If you simply wanted a new symbol to replace the pilcrow, why not just use an upside-down black triangle.  That way, it shows that you are moving "down" to the next paragraph, and it has no other application in the written language.