leopard
Unicode: 1F406
Description
A cartoon or stylized image of a mouse, typically depicted with large, round ears and a small snouted face. It's often shown as gray or brown.
Group:
Animals & Nature > animal-mammal
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Generally neutral, but can evoke feelings of cuteness, smallness, or occasionally fear/nuisance depending on context.
Backstory
The mouse emoji was introduced as part of Unicode 6.0 in 2010. Mice are ubiquitous in human history and culture, appearing in fables, folklore, and as scientific subjects. Its digital depiction reflects these broader associations.
Usage Examples
- Referring to the animal itself: 'I saw a tiny mouse in the garden 🐭.'
- Figuratively referring to something small or timid: 'He's as quiet as a mouse 🐭.'
- In relation to popular characters like Mickey Mouse: 'Going to Disneyland! 🐭🏰'
- Referring to a computer mouse (though less common for this specific emoji): 'My computer mouse 🐭 isn't working.'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Often associated with innocence, 'cute' animals, or sometimes pests. Iconic figures like Mickey Mouse are highly influential.
East Asian culture:
Can be seen as clever, agile, or a symbol of prosperity in some contexts (e.g., Chinese zodiac). Also prominent in animation.