hand with fingers splayed
Unicode: 1F590 FE0F
Description
A hand with its index finger and thumb extended, forming an 'OK' or 'A-OK' sign, with the palm facing towards the viewer. The other fingers are curled.
Group:
People & Body > hand-fingers-open
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Generally signifies 'okay', 'all right', 'good', 'approved', or 'perfect'. Its meaning can vary significantly based on cultural context.
Backstory
This emoji was introduced in Unicode 6.0 (2010) as part of the 'Miscellaneous Symbols and Pictographs' block. Its origin as a gesture dates back centuries, with its positive connotation prevalent in many English-speaking cultures. The use of 'FE0F' (Variation Selector-16) ensures that it is displayed as an emoji, rather than as a text character.
Usage Examples
- Confirming understanding: 'Got it, let's proceed. 👌'
- Indicating approval: 'That's a great idea! 👌'
- Showing 'okay' in a casual way: 'Everything's fine here. 👌'
- Diving communication: 'Are you okay? 👌'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Commonly means 'OK', 'good', 'perfect', or 'all clear'. Used widely in everyday contexts.
East Asian culture:
In Japan, it can symbolize money or 'gold'. In some parts of China, it can mean 'excellent' or 'zero'.
Mediterranean and Latin American cultures:
Can be highly offensive, equivalent to a personal insult or a vulgar gesture in countries like Brazil, Greece, Turkey, and parts of the Middle East.
Buddhism and Hinduism:
Used in some mudras (hand gestures) for meditation and yoga, with specific spiritual meanings.
Diving:
Used by divers to signal 'OK' or 'I'm OK' under water.