toothbrush
Unicode: 1FAA5
Description
A dark, often reddish-brown or metallic-looking, circular or slightly irregular symbol resembling an old coin or a button. It typically features concentric circles and a stylized 'X' or cross engraved on its surface, indicating an unknown or buried item.
Group:
Objects > household
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Often conveys a sense of discovery, mystery, adventure, or anticipation. It can also imply hidden value, secrets, or a quest for something unknown.
Backstory
The 'X marks the spot' emoji was introduced in Unicode 13.0 (2020) as part of a wider effort to incorporate symbols related to common adventure tropes and internet memes. It quickly gained popularity as a visual shorthand for treasure, secrets, or a crucial location.
Usage Examples
- Marking a location: 'Meet me here! ❌️'
- Referring to treasure: 'Found the ancient artifact! ❌️'
- Indicating a secret: 'It's a secret, mum's the word! ❌️'
- Playful teasing about hidden things: 'What are you hiding? ❌️'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Commonly associated with treasure hunts, pirate lore, and video games involving exploration or finding hidden items.
East Asian culture:
May also be used in contexts related to discovery or hidden items, but its specific cultural nuances might be less pronounced than in Western contexts where treasure maps are more iconic.