call me hand
Unicode: 1F919
Description
A hand with the thumb and little finger extended, while the index and middle fingers are curled down. Often mistaken for a 'call me' gesture.
Group:
People & Body > hand-fingers-partial
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Indicates 'I love you' in American Sign Language (ASL), or can be used for 'rock on' in a more rock-and-roll context. It's a positive and supportive gesture.
Backstory
This emoji was introduced in Unicode 8.0 (2015). It is a direct representation of the 'I love you' sign in American Sign Language, combining the gestures for I, L, and Y. It quickly gained popularity as a non-verbal expression of love and support.
Usage Examples
- Expressing affection: 'Missing you! 🤙'
- Showing support: 'Thanks for everything 🤙'
- Celebrating a relationship: 'Happy anniversary 🤙'
- In music contextos: 'Rock on! 🤙'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Primarily recognized as the 'I Love You' sign in ASL. In some contexts, particularly music, it can mean 'rock on' or 'metal'.
Mediterranean/Latin American culture:
Less common as 'I love you'; a similar gesture (horns up) can have various meanings, often implying something negative if pointed at someone.
East Asian culture:
Generally understood as 'I love you' due to global adoption of ASL signs, but less common than in Western cultures as a primary expression of affection.