💓

beating heart

Unicode: 1F493

Description

A pink or red heart shape with a 'beating' effect, suggesting a throbbing or pulsating heart.

Group:

Smileys & Emotion > heart

Status:

fully-qualified

Emotion:

Typically represents a strong heartbeat, excitement, love, infatuation, or a lively feeling. It can also convey anticipation or nervousness.

Backstory

This emoji was introduced in Unicode 6.0 (2010), representing a vibrant, 'alive' heart. It's often used to give a more dynamic sense to the classic heart emoji, conveying a physical sensation of love or excitement.

Usage Examples

  • Expressing strong love or passion: 'I love this song so much! 💗'
  • Showing excitement: 'Got tickets for the concert! My heart is pounding! 💗'
  • Conveying a physical sensation: 'My heart just skipped a beat! 💗'
  • As a reply when something is very touching: 'That was so sweet, my heart! 💗'

Cultural Differences

Western culture:

Often used to express intense love or affection, sometimes implying a 'heart thumping' due to excitement or passion. Less common than the solid red heart for general love, but used for emphasis.

East Asian culture:

Similar usage, emphasizing strong emotions or excitement. Can be used playfully for intense liking or admiration.