fox
Unicode: 1F98A
Description
A fox, a cunning and agile mammal known for its reddish-brown fur, pointy ears, and bushy tail.
Group:
Animals & Nature > animal-mammal
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Typically neutral, but can symbolize cleverness, stealth, independence, or wildness. Less about emotion and more about representing the animal itself or traits associated with it.
Backstory
This emoji was introduced in Unicode 9.0 (2016) as part of a wider effort to include more diverse animals in the emoji set. Its inclusion reflects the global recognition and cultural significance of the fox across various mythologies and natural environments.
Usage Examples
- Referring to the animal: 'Saw a beautiful fox in the woods today! 🦊'
- Figuratively representing cunning: 'He's as sly as a fox. 🦊'
- Indicating cleverness or intelligence: 'That was a rather foxy solution to the problem! 🦊'
- Representing a specific region or country where foxes are prominent: 'Exploring the Scottish Highlands, beautiful wildlife 🦊'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Often associated with cunning, trickery (e.g., foxy), or beauty. Can also represent natural wilderness or solitude.
East Asian culture:
In some East Asian folklore (like Japanese Kitsune or Korean Gumiho), foxes are mythical creatures with supernatural powers, often shapeshifters, and can be benevolent or malevolent spirits. This gives the emoji a deeper, sometimes mystical, connotation.