Think of the last text you sent, the last social media post you made, or the last comment you left on a blog. Chances are, you used an emoji to punctuate your message. Emojis have become an integral part of our online and text-based communication. But what does the world behind these cute little symbols look like?
We might think of emojis as a modern phenomenon, but they actually have a history that spans thousands of years. The earliest forms of emojis can be traced back to the hieroglyphs and pictographs used in ancient civilizations. However, the concept of using icons in communication was redefined and digitally revolutionized in 1999, by a Japanese artist named Shigetaka Kurita.
Kurita’s creation was inspired by the complicated Japanese writing system, as well as Chinese characters and manga art. He created a series of 176 emojis, each 12 pixels by 12 pixels, to convey a wide range of emotions and ideas. Some of these original emojis, like the smiling face, the heart, and the crying face, are still in use today.
Modern emojis are regulated by a group called the Unicode Consortium. This group decides which new emojis make the cut and become part of our digital lexicon. Today, there are more than 3,000 emojis available, and each one has an official name, description, and category.
Emojis are not universally interpreted. Cultural differences, personal experiences, and context heavily influence how we perceive these symbols. Many emojis have hidden or secondary meanings. For instance, the nail polish emoji can be used to signify nonchalance, the peach emoji is often used to depict a butt, and the pair of eyes often means the sender is watching something.
Emojis continue to evolve and reflect societal changes. In recent years, there has been a push to make emojis more inclusive and representative of all users. This has resulted in emojis of different skin tones, genders, and features, allowing for more personalized digital expression.
So next time you hit send on a text with an emoji, think about the rich history and significance behind that little icon. Emojis not only allow us to express our feelings and thoughts in a playful way, they also demonstrate how our communication has evolved in the digital age.
The secret life of your favorite emojis
