cow
Unicode: 1F404
Description
A dark brown cow or ox, shown facing left with its head slightly turned towards the viewer. It typically has horns, ears, and a muzzle, often depicted with a gentle expression.
Group:
Animals & Nature > animal-mammal
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Generally neutral. Can evoke feelings related to agriculture, nature, peacefulness, or large animals.
Backstory
The cow emoji was approved as part of Unicode 6.0 in 2010 and added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015. Given the cow's global significance in agriculture, religion, and as a source of food, the emoji serves a wide range of symbolic and practical communication purposes.
Usage Examples
- Talking about farm animals: 'We saw so many cows on our road trip. 🐄'
- Referring to dairy products: 'Got fresh milk from the farm today! 🐄'
- Discussing agriculture: 'Farming plays a crucial role in our economy. 🐄'
- In the context of the Chinese zodiac (Ox): 'Happy New Year to all my Ox friends! 🐄'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Often associated with farms, dairy products, beef, or symbols of strength and stubbornness (e.g., 'as strong as an ox').
Indian culture:
Cows are considered sacred animals, often revered and worshipped. Their depiction can carry strong religious and spiritual connotations.
East Asian culture:
Can represent the Ox zodiac sign, symbolizing diligence, dependability, strength, and determination. Also associated with rural life and farming.