man wearing turban
Unicode: 1F473 200D 2642
Description
An older man, often depicted with a beard and sometimes bald or with receding hair, with his hands clasped or in a posture of humility, often dressed in traditional robes.
Group:
People & Body > person-role
Status:
minimally-qualified
Emotion:
Typically represents respect, wisdom, humility, or a request for forgiveness. It can also imply a sense of spiritual or traditional authority.
Backstory
This emoji combines 'older person' (1F473) with the male sign (2642 FE0F) to specify an older man. The base emoji 'Older Person' was introduced in Unicode 6.0 (2010), representing a generic elderly figure. The specific male variant was added later to provide gender diversity for the 'older person' character.
Usage Examples
- Expressing respect for an elder: 'Listened to my grandpa's stories all day, such wisdom! 👴'
- Indicating a wise or traditional figure: 'The old master's words still resonate. 👴'
- In historical or mythical contexts: 'Talking about the village elder. 👴'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Less frequently used, but can denote respect for an elder or a formal pleading. Sometimes misinterpreted or less commonly understood in general use.
East Asian culture:
More commonly recognized as a traditional figure, possibly a 'wise man' or 'sage,' often associated with historical or spiritual contexts. Its specific meaning can vary depending on the exact styling and context.