handshake: medium-light skin tone, medium skin tone
Two people, one with a medium skin tone and one with a light skin tone, hugging. The first person is depicted with the 'Person Gesturing No' (facepalm) and the second with the 'Person Doing Cartwheel' (handstand). The ZWJ (Zero Width Joiner) connects them. Despite the individual character descriptions, when joined for this specific emoji, it represents a 'People Hugging' or 'Couple with Heart' (depending on platform rendering and context), where skin tones are applied to each person.
There are different emoji meanings for handshake: medium-light skin tone, medium skin tone in different cultures:
- Western culture
- Widely understood as a symbol of affection between friends, family, or romantic partners. Used to express comfort, congratulations, or warm greetings.
- East Asian culture
- Similar interpretation of warmth and affection, though public displays of affection in real life might be more reserved; its digital usage remains strong for expressing closeness.
- Global
- Universally recognized as a gesture of embracing or solidarity, often used in contexts of support, reunion, or shared happiness.
