palm up hand
Unicode: 1FAF4
Description
A brown-skinned hand with the thumb and little finger extended, while the other fingers are curled down. The palm is facing outwards. This gesture is widely known as the 'shaka' sign or 'hang loose' gesture.
Group:
People & Body > hand-fingers-open
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Typically represents friendly intent, solidarity, good wishes, agreement, or a relaxed attitude. It often signifies 'hello,' 'goodbye,' 'thank you,' or 'everything's cool.'
Backstory
The 'shaka' sign originated in Hawaii, with various theories about its exact beginning, often linked to the Hawaiian railway worker Hamana Kalili. It became a ubiquitous symbol of Hawaiian culture and was later adopted globally, especially by surfers and beachgoers, to convey a sense of 'hang loose' or 'aloha.' This emoji was introduced in Unicode 14.0 (2021).
Usage Examples
- Greeting friends at the beach: 'Hey dude! 🤙'
- Expressing thanks to someone: 'Thanks for the ride! 🤙'
- Showing agreement or support: 'Sounds good to me! 🤙'
- Conveying a relaxed attitude: 'Just chilling and enjoying life. 🤙'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Widely associated with surf and beach culture, particularly in Hawaii. It conveys a laid-back, positive, and friendly vibe. Also used in some sports for acknowledgement.
East Asian culture:
Can be interpreted differently; in some contexts, it might mean '6' (especially with the palm facing inwards), while in others, it might be recognized as the 'hang loose' sign due to global media influence.