🤸
Person Cartwheeling
PUR-suhn KAHRT-wheel-ing
Definitions
1
Sports · Gymnastics
Common
Represents a person performing a cartwheel, a sideways handspring where the body rotates 360° with hands and feet touching the ground in sequence.
Used to express excitement, celebration, freedom, or physical activity. Often indicates showing off or feeling accomplished.
Just passed my driving test first try! 🤸
Text message celebrating an achievement
Weekend plans: beach, hiking, and yoga 🤸
Instagram caption about active lifestyle
Finally finished that project! Time to celebrate 🤸
Work chat message
Symbolizes agility, freedom, and joyful exuberance. Associated with gymnastics, childhood play, and celebratory moments.
2
Emotional · Celebration
Common
Expresses feelings of extreme happiness, freedom, or relief, often after overcoming an obstacle or reaching a goal.
Frequently used metaphorically to show emotional rather than physical cartwheeling.
Last day of school! 🤸
Social media post
Me after paying off my student loans 🤸
Twitter/X post
In digital communication, represents breaking free from constraints or celebrating good news.
Evolution Timeline
2016
Introduced in Unicode 9.0 alongside other Olympics-inspired emojis before the Rio Olympics.
Rio Olympic Games increased interest in gymnastics emojis.
2018
Usage expanded beyond literal gymnastics to metaphorical celebrations of freedom and accomplishment.
Social media trends popularized using physical activity emojis for emotional expression.
2020
Saw increased usage in 'post-lockdown celebration' contexts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Symbolized freedom after restrictions and return to physical activities.
Cultural Context
Gen Z users often employ this emoji ironically to represent 'emotional cartwheeling' rather than literal gymnastics, especially in response to good news.
Represents the physical embodiment of joy and freedom, reflecting cultural values of expressing emotion through physical movement.
One of several sports emojis added in 2016 that expanded digital expression of physical activities beyond basic running and swimming.
Often functions as a visual metaphor for 'jumping for joy' or 'flipping out' in digital communication, extending its meaning beyond literal cartwheeling.
Regional Variations
Australia
Frequently used in beach and outdoor lifestyle contexts, reflecting Australia's outdoor culture.
United Kingdom
More commonly used in general celebration contexts rather than specific sports references.
United States
Often associated with cheerleading and school sports contexts, particularly in high school and college settings.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: More literal usage related to fitness activities, children's sports, or actual gymnastics achievements. Less frequent in general conversation.
Gen_Z: Frequently used ironically or metaphorically to express extreme emotional reactions rather than literal gymnastics. Popular on TikTok and Instagram.
Older: Limited usage, primarily in response to family news or when discussing grandchildren's activities. Often used literally rather than metaphorically.
Millennials: Commonly used to celebrate milestones like job promotions, debt payoff, or vacation plans. Popular in group chats and Instagram stories.
Common Combinations
🤸🎉
Celebrating a major achievement or special occasion with excitement and joy.
Common in graduation, job promotion, or other milestone announcement posts.
🤸♀️🏆
Victory or achievement in gymnastics or other athletic competitions.
Used for sports victories, especially in gymnastics or cheerleading contexts.
🤸🍾
Celebrating with unbridled enthusiasm, often implying partying or drinking.
Frequently used for weekend plans, vacation announcements, or major life celebrations.
🤸🏖️
Excited about beach vacation or enjoying carefree time at the beach.
Popular in summer holiday posts and vacation planning conversations.
🤸🔓
Breaking free from restrictions or limitations; feeling liberated.
Emerged during pandemic lockdowns to symbolize freedom from restrictions.