🔦

flashlight

Unicode: 1F526

Description

A dark grey or black open-topped flashlight with a yellow-orange beam emanating from its top.

Group:

Objects > light & video

Status:

fully-qualified

Emotion:

Typically represents illumination, discovery, help, or a literal flashlight. Can also symbolize guidance or finding a solution.

Backstory

This emoji was introduced in Unicode 6.0 (2010). Flashlights are common tools, and the emoji serves as a direct graphical representation of this item, widely used in various contexts related to light and searching.

Usage Examples

  • Looking for something: 'Where's my phone? 🔦'
  • Indicating a specific subject: 'Let's shine a flashlight on this issue. 🔦'
  • Exploring: 'Adventure time! 🔦'
  • Indicating help or rescue: 'Sending help, keep your flashlight on! 🔦'

Cultural Differences

Western culture:

Often used to represent searching, light in darkness, or providing assistance.

East Asian culture:

Similar usage, but might also contextually imply 'spotlight' on a particular topic or person.