📫️
Closed Mailbox with Raised Flag
klohzd MAYL-boks with rayzd flag
Definitions
1
Communication · Mail
Common
Represents a traditional closed mailbox with its flag raised, indicating outgoing mail is ready for collection or that new mail has been delivered.
Used to reference postal mail, sending messages, or notifications in digital communication.
Just sent you that important document in the mail 📫️ Should arrive by Thursday!
Text message
Don't forget to check your inbox 📫️ I sent the invitation yesterday.
Email
Reflects the traditional American rural/suburban mailbox design, which may be unfamiliar in countries with different postal systems.
2
Digital · Notification
Common
Symbolizes notifications, unread messages, or digital communication platforms, representing the concept of receiving information.
Often used metaphorically to indicate new messages or notifications in digital contexts.
I'll be offline for a week, so don't expect me to check my 📫️ until I'm back!
Social media post
The physical mailbox metaphor persists in digital communication despite declining postal mail usage.
Evolution Timeline
2010
Introduced in Unicode 6.0 as part of early communication symbols.
Growing need for digital communication symbols in emerging smartphone era.
2015
Usage shifted toward digital notification metaphor as physical mail declined.
Increasing dominance of digital communication over traditional postal mail.
Cultural Context
The raised flag mailbox design is distinctly American, originating in rural areas where postal carriers would identify mailboxes with outgoing mail by the raised flag.
Despite declining physical mail usage, the mailbox metaphor persists in digital interfaces (email 'inbox', 'outbox', notification icons).
The mailbox design depicted is unfamiliar in many countries with different postal systems, making this emoji more abstract outside North America.
Regional Variations
Australia
Primarily used for digital communication references rather than physical mail.
United Kingdom
Less familiar as a physical object since UK mailboxes differ significantly in design from the American-style depicted.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: More likely to use literally for postal mail references alongside digital communication contexts.
Gen_Z: Primarily used metaphorically for digital notifications rather than literal mail. Often in contexts about being unreachable or 'unplugging'.
Older: Often used literally to reference traditional postal mail and correspondence rather than digital equivalents.
Millennials: Used for both digital communication and occasional references to physical mail for important documents or packages.
Common Combinations
📫️📩
Sending and receiving mail or messages.
Represents complete communication cycle in both digital and physical contexts.
📫️📱
Digital notifications or mobile messaging.
Bridges traditional mail concept with modern mobile communication.
📫️❗
Important or urgent message notification.
Emphasizes priority of communication.