If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an emoji is worth at least ten thousand, right? But with so many options to choose from...so how does one know when to use all of them? You've figured out when it's appropriate to use a smiling cat instead of a crying or laughing cat, and what each heart emoji means. The same goes for hand emojis.
While classics like the peace sign and waving hand can be easily translated from reality, the language of hand emojis is quite broad. Their interpretations sometimes even seem to have a dialect of their own. (See: The Japanese folded-hands emoji, which literally means gratitude but is widely interpreted in other countries as a prayer or a high-five.)
With the emoji library constantly being updated (including Apple's March 2022 iOS 15.4 update), it's always a good time to refresh your emoji fluency - and there's no better place to start than the hand emoji.
Here are the meanings behind some of the most commonly used hand emojis.
1. Thumbs up
The "thumbs up" emoji is intended to show approval, according to Emojipedia. This emoji is also known as the "yes" emoji and is used to express general contentment. Alternatively, it can be used to sarcastically indicate that something is actually not good.
2. Thumb down
Unlike its more positive counterpart, the "thumbs down" emoji is almost never used sarcastically. Emojipedia states that its purpose is to show disapproval, like when everyone in your group chat reacts to your suggestion of hosting another Pride and Prejudice movie night.
3. Confirm
It's like the "thumbs up" emoji, but funnier. Emojipedia says the symbol can mean "I'm fine" or "Yes, that's right/nice," which feels like a correct/good definition of how it's usually used. It can also mean "this is all I really care about" less frequently (note the space between the two fingers).
4. Praying hands
This emoji is often called the praying or praising hands emoji. It's also known as the "high five" emoji, which makes sense if you want to be like that. However, on Emojipedia, the emoji is described as "putting hands together," which is said to symbolize "please" or "thank you" in Japanese culture.
5. Peace Sign
Emojipedia describes this symbol as a "victory hand," but notes that it is most commonly seen as a peace sign. The peace sign emoji is the go-to emoji for saying goodbye or good night to people, but it can also be used to mean things like "just relaxing" or "may peace be with you."
6. Flex your biceps
The flexed biceps emoji is used to represent "strength or exercise," according to Emojipedia. But it's probably best used to end the "Don't bend, but..." text. It can also mean "pinned" in a slightly less traditional way.
7. Clap your hands
Emojipedia says using this symbol, especially multiple times in a row, can mean applause. But anything truly worthy of congratulations deserves a thumbs up or some kind of look, so you really just want to clap to sarcastically indicate that someone's actions don't deserve real applause.
8. Point upward
Emojipedia says this is meant to stand for first place or to indicate a question, but it can also be used to show someone how much you want to be there that night.
9. Fist bump
The official title of this emoji is "fist emoji," but let's please never say that again. Emojipedia says the oncoming emoji is used to mean punching someone or bumping them with your fist - which can be a very mixed signal.
10.Raise your hand
Emojipedia says this emoji is supposed to mean "stop" or to give someone a high five. (Again, quite a complicated signal - but "stop" seems to be more common, FYI.) Of course, it could also be swapped for the funky "talk to hand," or in the Zoom-like age, indicating that you have a question.
11. Fire God Ceremony
If you haven't watched Star Trek yet, this emoji might just be a weird anomaly to you. But if you're a Star Trek fan, or have checked out its emojipedia, you'll know it's the Spock emoji or the Vulcan salute. Salute is essentially a greeting that means "long life and prosperity."
12. Fingers crossed
You may have used the praying hands emoji before to make all your emoji wishes come true. But now, with the crossed fingers emoji, you can make it appear with just a tap of your keyboard. Emojipedia says it's meant to wish someone good luck or to show that you're hoping for a certain outcome.
13. Shake hands
Emojipedia says this can be used as a friendly greeting, but it's also often used to say you've made a deal or found a comrade in someone. This "Nice to Do Business with You" emoji is the perfect balance of business and casual.
14. Heart shaped hands
Whether you remember Taylor's Swiftie signaling with "13" drawn on her hand at concerts or you're loving TikTok's resurgence of heart-shaped hands, it's the perfect cute way to show someone a little extra love. Emojipedia says this is used to show "love and support," which feels pretty accurate.
15. Finger left/finger right
These are two separate emojis, but when you're ready to launch full simplified mode, you'll most likely be using both at the same time. Emojipedia doesn't have a deeper meaning for these symbols other than "index finger pointing right/left," but don't oversimplify.
16. Stay relaxed
Emojipedia describes it as a "call me" hand, which makes sense. But it seems you'll see it used more often as a sign of Shaka's "relaxation." Throw this out when you want to stay calm in a group chat. But be careful if you're not prepared for an unsolicited FaceTime call from someone who misinterprets the gesture.
17. Writing hand
Usually used to say "take notes" jokingly, or to indicate that you are taking notes. The Emojipedia describes it as a symbol "widely used to represent writing" and "also used between words to indicate that a course is being studied and to show that someone is taking notes." (i.e., “Write using ✍️emoticons ✍️just kidding . Got it.”)
18. Raised hands emoji
The two raised hands depicted in the emoji above are meant to celebrate. Have your friends finally figured out a plan for tonight? Shoot the raised hands emoji their way.
19. Hand with index finger and thumb crossed
The gesture can be interpreted as money, like two fingers rubbing together, or as love, like the K-pop stan spitting out his finger heart.
20. Index to viewer
This new emoji is used to express an emphatic “you,” like in a text message you’d send to your roommate — “No, you have to take out the trash tomorrow.”
21. Love you gesture
This emoji may look like a variation of "Rock On," but it's actually American Sign Language for "I love you." (Three fingers put together spell ILY.)
22.Middle finger
Well, you know what that means.
23. Nail polish
Also known as "Insouciant," this emoji is the visual embodiment of Elle Woods': "What, like it's hard?" in Legally Blonde , or Lizzo feeling fussy in her "Barons" . Use it when you want to show off your latest Flex is NBD.
24. Palms up
According to Emojipedia, this emoji can be used to "represent the action of raising, offering, requesting, or waving," or to indicate that you're asking a question. Another scenario might be to open your hands to the universe, like in a meditation practice. (See also palm-down hands, which may indicate that your hand dropped or hit the ground.)
25. Pinch your fingers
According to Emojipedia, this emoji represents the Italian gesture "ma che vuoi," which roughly translates to "what do you want?" Colloquially, you can also use it to mean something like, well , a chef's kiss.
26.Pinch hands
This emoji is great for saying you just want a drink at the bar tonight or, according to Emojipedia, saying something is small. Ahem.
