The chemical element that has the symbol Fe is iron. The symbol Fe is derived from the Latin word "ferrum," meaning iron. It is a transition metal and ranks as the fourth most abundant element in the universe by mass. Iron is essential for various biological processes, including oxygen transport in blood via hemoglobin and cellular metabolism. Due to its properties of strength and malleability, iron is widely used in construction and manufacturing, particularly for creating steel. In its pure form, iron is relatively soft but becomes much harder and stronger when alloyed with other elements.