ogre
Unicode: 1F479
Description
A green-faced ogre with protruding ears and a scowling expression, often depicted with visible teeth. It's a classic monster from folklore and fantasy.
Group:
Smileys & Emotion > face-costume
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Can represent monstrousness, ugliness, gruffness, intimidation, or sometimes a playful kind of ugliness. Less about direct emotion and more about character.
Backstory
The ogre is a mythical monster appearing in various folklores, notably in European fairytales. This emoji was introduced in Unicode 6.0 (2010), representing the generic concept of a fearsome, large, and ugly humanoid creature.
Usage Examples
- Describing someone as 'grumpy' or 'monstrous' in a playful way: 'Someone's being a bit of an ogre today 👹'
- Referring to a task that is difficult or unpleasant: 'This paperwork is an absolute ogre 👹 to get through.'
- In the context of fantasy or gaming: 'Beware of the ogre in the dungeon! 👹'
- Referring to a large and intimidating person or object (often humorously): 'That truck is a real ogre 👹.'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Strongly associated with fairytales (like Shrek) and fantasy literature. Can be seen as scary or a grumpy but lovable character.
East Asian culture:
In Japan, 'Oni' (鬼) are similar mythical creatures, often depicted as frightening demons or ogres, usually red or blue, with horns and fangs. While visually distinct, they share a thematic resemblance to the Western ogre.