🦄
Unicorn Face
YOO-ni-korn
Definitions
1
Animals · Fantasy
Very Common
A mythical horse-like creature with a single spiral horn on its forehead, representing magic, fantasy, rarity, and uniqueness. Used to convey whimsy, enchantment, or something special and extraordinary.
Frequently used to express delight in something rare or special, or to add a magical quality to messages, especially in positive contexts.
Finally found those limited edition sneakers! I feel like I caught a 🦄!
Social media post
That new café makes the most amazing rainbow lattes 🦄 Worth the wait!
Instagram caption
You're one of a kind 🦄 Never change!
Personal message
In modern digital culture, unicorns symbolize uniqueness, specialness, and rare finds. Also associated with LGBTQ+ pride, startup culture, and fantasy fandoms.
2
Business · Startups
Common
In business contexts, represents a startup company valued at over $1 billion. Used to reference highly successful or promising ventures with exceptional growth or potential.
Primarily used in tech, finance, and entrepreneurial discussions to describe rare, highly successful companies or opportunities.
Their app just secured another round of funding - definite 🦄 potential!
Business chat
The company just reached 🦄 status after their latest valuation.
LinkedIn post
Term coined in 2013 by venture capitalist Aileen Lee, highlighting the statistical rarity of such successful startups. Now common in business and tech discourse.
3
Dating · Slang
Common
In dating contexts, refers to a rare, highly desirable person who seems too good to be true or who possesses qualities that are considered exceptional or perfect.
Used in dating apps and relationship discussions to describe an ideal, often elusive partner or a rare romantic prospect.
She's smart, funny, loves sports AND can cook? Total 🦄
Dating app message
Still looking for my 🦄 but dating in this city is impossible!
Social media status
Emerged from dating app culture around 2015, particularly in reference to someone who meets all desired criteria in a potential partner.
Evolution Timeline
2015
Added to Unicode 8.0, coinciding with rising popularity of fantasy themes in popular culture and social media.
Growth of Instagram aesthetics and fantasy-themed visual content
2016
Became associated with 'unicorn food' trend featuring colorful, rainbow-hued foods and beverages on social media.
Instagram food trends and café marketing
2017
Expanded beyond fantasy contexts to become shorthand for anything rare, special, or unique in everyday conversations.
Broadening of emoji usage beyond literal meanings
2018
Solidified as standard business terminology for billion-dollar startups in mainstream media coverage.
Increasing coverage of tech unicorns in non-specialist media
2020
Adopted in dating app culture to describe ideal, rare potential partners with perfect qualities.
Evolution of dating app terminology during pandemic isolation
Cultural Context
Unicorns appear in ancient Greek writings and medieval European art as symbols of purity and grace. The emoji continues this symbolism while adding modern interpretations of uniqueness and specialness.
In Western cultures, unicorns shifted from masculine power symbols in medieval times to feminine-coded imagery in contemporary culture, particularly marketed to young girls.
The term 'unicorn' in tech emerged from venture capitalist Aileen Lee's 2013 article, highlighting statistically rare startups valued at over $1 billion, now commonplace in business discourse.
The unicorn emoji exemplifies semantic broadening, where a concrete mythological creature has expanded to represent abstract concepts of rarity, uniqueness, and exceptionalism.
Gen Z has reclaimed the unicorn from children's media, using it ironically to comment on unrealistic expectations in dating, careers, and life milestones.
As Scotland's national animal, the unicorn carries patriotic significance there, while in Silicon Valley it primarily evokes tech industry success stories.
Regional Variations
Australia
Often used with ironic humor to describe rare occurrences in everyday Australian life, like reasonable housing prices or perfect weather.
United Kingdom
More commonly associated with fantasy literature and British folklore, with less emphasis on the business definition than in the US.
United States
Heavily associated with startup culture in Silicon Valley, where 'unicorn companies' originated. Also popular in children's media and LGBTQ+ contexts.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: More literal usage referring to fantasy or rare finds. In business contexts, used straightforwardly to discuss successful startups or exceptional opportunities.
Gen_Z: Used ironically to describe unrealistic expectations or sarcastically label something as 'too perfect.' Common in TikTok and Instagram Stories with self-aware humor.
Older: Limited usage, primarily literal reference to the mythical creature. May be used in messages to grandchildren or in reference to children's interests.
Millennials: Frequently used in startup culture, dating apps, and as part of 'unicorn aesthetics' in Instagram posts. Associated with millennial pink and rainbow food trends.
Common Combinations
🦄✨
Enhanced magical quality or something exceptionally special and sparkly.
Popular in fantasy, cosplay, and magical girl anime communities to emphasize enchantment.
🦄🌈
Ultimate fantasy or perfect magical experience; also LGBTQ+ pride and inclusion.
Associated with both children's fantasy and LGBTQ+ pride symbolism, especially during Pride Month.
🦄💰
Billion-dollar startup or rare financial opportunity with high returns.
Used in tech, finance, and entrepreneurial communities to discuss valuable companies or investments.
🦄🔍
Searching for something rare or seemingly impossible to find.
Used in dating contexts or job hunting to express the difficulty of finding ideal matches.
🦄🤯
Mind-blowing discovery or encountering something unbelievably rare or amazing.
Used to express astonishment at finding something thought to be impossible or extremely rare.
Related Emojis
🌈
Frequently paired to enhance magical qualities or represent LGBTQ+ pride
✨
Enhances magical, special qualities associated with unicorns
🐴
Base animal from which the unicorn is derived
🧚
Fellow fantasy creature, often appears in similar magical contexts
💰
Connected through 'unicorn' business terminology for billion-dollar startups