sign of the horns
Unicode: 1F918
Description
A yellow face making a gesture with its thumb and little finger extended downwards, resembling a shaka sign or 'call me' gesture. Often depicted with a playful expression.
Group:
People & Body > hand-fingers-partial
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Typically represents coolness, chill, 'hang loose,' 'call me,' or inviting someone to talk. It can also imply a friendly greeting or departure.
Backstory
This emoji was introduced in Unicode 8.0 (2015) as part of a set of hand gestures. Its primary intent was to represent the 'call me' gesture in some parts of the world and the 'shaka' or 'hang loose' sign from Hawaiian culture. Its dual interpretation makes it versatile.
Usage Examples
- Saying goodbye casually: 'See ya! 🤘'
- Inviting someone to talk: 'Call me later! 🤘'
- Expressing a relaxed or 'chill' vibe: 'Just hanging out, 🤘'
- Showing agreement with surf culture or a laid-back attitude: 'Totally stoked! 🤘'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Commonly known as the 'shaka' sign, associated with surf culture and Hawaiian greetings ('hang loose'). In some contexts, it can mean 'call me' (e.g., 'pinky and thumb' call), especially in the US. Less common in the UK and Australia for 'call me' than the phone-to-ear gesture.
East Asian culture:
Generally understood as 'call me' or 'hang loose,' depending on context. In some regions, it might be used to indicate a phone call or similar communication.
Brazilian culture:
Widely used as the 'hang loose' or 'shaka' sign, especially in surf and relaxed social settings.