chipmunk
Unicode: 1F43F
Description
A brown grizzly bear's head with a closed mouth, facing forward with its ears visible.
Group:
Animals & Nature > animal-mammal
Status:
unqualified
Emotion:
Typically represents bears, wilderness, nature, strength, or the animal itself. Can also be used to convey a 'bear hug' or a gruff but friendly demeanor.
Backstory
This emoji was introduced in Unicode 8.0 (2015), as part of a move to include more diverse animal representation. It provides a more specific 'bear' head than the original 'bear face' (🐻), which is often seen as more friendly or 'teddy-like'.
Usage Examples
- Talking about wildlife: 'Saw a huge bear in the forest today! 🐻❄️🐻'
- Referring to a person who is big or strong: 'He's a real bear when he's mad, but usually a softie. 🐻'
- Indicating a 'bear market' in finance (though 📉 is more common): 'The market is looking bearish today. 🐻'
- As a playful nickname: 'Hey, big bear! 🐻'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Often associated with teddy bears (comfort, childhood), wilderness, national parks, or as a symbol of strength and power (e.g., California state flag).
East Asian culture:
Similar associations with nature and strength; may also be related to specific folklore or characters where bears play a role.