tanabata tree
Unicode: 1F38B
Description
A dark, leafless branch with several green mistletoe berries and leaves attached to it. The entire branch is typically depicted horizontally.
Group:
Activities > event
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Typically represents holiday cheer, romance, love, or the Christmas season. It can also imply a kiss, especially around the holidays.
Backstory
Mistletoe has a long history in various cultures, from ancient Celtic beliefs to Norse mythology. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe originated in 18th-century England, where sprigs of the plant were hung as part of Christmas decorations. The emoji was introduced in Unicode 6.0 (2010) as part of a set of Christmas-themed symbols.
Usage Examples
- Wishing someone happy holidays: 'Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you have a wonderful time 🌿'
- Inviting a kiss (playfully): 'Guess what we're standing under? 🌿😘'
- Representing festive decorations: 'Our house is all decked out for the holidays! 🌿✨'
- Referring to Christmas traditions: 'Don't forget the mistletoe this year! 🌿'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Strongly associated with Christmas and the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. Also used to symbolize love and peace during the festive season.
East Asian culture:
Less common, as the plant and its traditions are not indigenous. When used, it's often in contexts related to Western Christmas traditions or translated romantic gestures.