older person
Unicode: 1F9D3
Description
An older person with no specific gender depicted, often showing signs of aging such as wrinkles, sometimes with a receding hairline or graying hair.
Group:
People & Body > person
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Neutral, or indicating age, wisdom, experience, or sometimes vulnerability.
Backstory
This emoji was introduced in Unicode 9.0 (2016) as part of a broader effort to introduce more diverse representations of people, including different age groups. It provides a general depiction of an older individual without specifying gender, allowing for broader application.
Usage Examples
- Referring to an older relative: 'Visiting my grandparents this weekend 👴👵'
- Discussing senior citizens: 'The new policy affects many older people 👴'
- Representing wisdom or experience: 'He's got years of experience, a true old hand 👴'
- In contexts of retirement: 'Enjoying my retirement! 👴'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Can represent grandparents, wise elders, retirees, or simply older individuals in general. Used in contexts related to aging, family, or care.
East Asian culture:
May hold a stronger connotation of respect for elders, wisdom, tradition, or family lineage. Less common for 'funny' or 'cute' old person portrayals compared to Western usage, focusing more on reverence.
Global:
Universally understood as an older person, but specific interpretations can vary based on cultural norms regarding aging and respect.