🦬
Bison
BAI-suhn
Definitions
1
Animal · Wildlife
Uncommon
Represents a bison or American buffalo, a large, shaggy-haired bovine native to North America. Used to reference wildlife, nature conservation, or American plains.
Often used in contexts about national parks, wilderness, or Native American culture. Less commonly used than other animal emojis.
Just saw a herd of 🦬 at Yellowstone! Absolutely majestic creatures.
Social media post about wildlife sighting
The 🦬 nearly went extinct but has made an incredible comeback thanks to conservation efforts.
Educational content about wildlife conservation
Holds significant cultural importance in North America as a symbol of the American West, conservation success, and Native American heritage.
2
Sports · Team
Uncommon
Used to represent sports teams that use the bison/buffalo as a mascot, particularly in American sports contexts.
Common in fan discussions about Buffalo-based teams or universities with bison mascots.
Let's go 🦬! Big game today against Miami!
Sports fan message about Buffalo Bills football team
Particularly associated with Buffalo, NY sports teams and certain university athletic programs.
Evolution Timeline
2020
Introduction of the bison emoji as part of Unicode 13.0, reflecting growing interest in wildlife conservation.
Increasing awareness of conservation success stories and native wildlife.
2022
Gained popularity in conservation discussions as bison populations continued to recover across North America.
Viral videos of bison in national parks and expanded reintroduction programs.
Cultural Context
The American bison was hunted to near-extinction in the 19th century but has become a conservation success story and symbol of American wilderness restoration.
Holds deep significance for many Native American tribes who historically relied on bison for sustenance, materials, and spiritual practices.
In the American West and Great Plains, the bison represents regional identity and heritage, appearing on state flags, coins, and as sports mascots.
Regional Variations
Canada
Used in reference to wood bison conservation in northern regions and as part of Canadian wildlife heritage.
United States
More frequently used in western states where bison are found naturally or in wildlife preserves.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Primarily used in straightforward wildlife references, sports team support, and educational contexts.
Gen_Z: Occasionally used in nature appreciation posts, conservation activism, and references to bison-themed memes or viral videos.
Older: Less frequently used, but appears in formal discussions about conservation, American history, and nature appreciation.
Millennials: Used in travel content featuring national parks, wildlife photography, and discussions about sustainable living and conservation.
Common Combinations
🦬🌿
Bison grazing or in natural grassland habitat.
Represents conservation, rewilding efforts, and natural ecosystems.
🦬🏞️
Bison in national parks or protected wilderness areas.
Often used when sharing experiences of seeing bison in places like Yellowstone.
🦬🏈
Buffalo Bills football team or other buffalo-mascot sports teams.
Used by sports fans to show team support, particularly for Buffalo, NY teams.