broken heart
Unicode: 1F494
Description
It depicts a pink or red heart, sometimes shown as fragmented or cracked, or a heart with a white crack going through it.
Group:
Smileys & Emotion > heart
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Typically represents heartbreak, sadness, sorrow, emotional pain, disappointment, or the end of a relationship. It can also signify a feeling of being broken or hurt.
Backstory
The Broken Heart emoji was approved as part of Unicode 6.0 in 2010. It quickly became a staple for expressing emotional distress in digital communication, often accompanying text about breakups, losses, or general feelings of despair.
Usage Examples
- Expressing romantic heartbreak: 'My heart is broken. 💔'
- Showing empathy: 'So sorry to hear that. 💔'
- Reacting to unfortunate news: 'No way! That's awful. 💔'
- Exaggerating disappointment: 'Lost my favorite pen. 💔'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Widely used to express heartbreak over a romantic relationship, sadness about a personal loss, or empathy for someone else's pain.
East Asian culture:
Similar usage to Western culture, often used to express sadness, disappointment, or sympathy in a more dramatic or cute way. Can also be used playfully to exaggerate a minor disappointment.