🫂
People Hugging
PEE-puhl HUG-ing
Definitions
1
Emotional · Affection
Very Common
Two people embracing, conveying physical and emotional support, affection, or comfort. Used to express care, solidarity, or shared emotional moments.
Commonly used to show support during difficult times, celebrate reunions, or express deep friendship and love.
I'm so sorry about your loss. Sending you strength 🫂
Text message offering condolences
Can't wait to see you next week! 🫂
Social media comment about an upcoming reunion
Just heard the news. I'm here for you 🫂
Direct message offering support
Introduced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical hugging was restricted, making it particularly emotionally resonant as a symbol of human connection.
2
Social · Community
Common
Symbol of solidarity, unity, and collective support. Used to express group belonging, community care, or shared experiences.
Often used in community posts, support groups, and social movements to convey collective empathy.
To everyone struggling with mental health today 🫂
Social media awareness post
This community has been my lifeline through treatment 🫂
Support group message
Has evolved into a symbol of community resilience and mutual aid, particularly in online support spaces and during social crises.
Evolution Timeline
2020
Introduced during COVID-19 pandemic when physical distancing limited actual hugging.
Global lockdowns created emotional need for symbols of physical connection.
2021
Gained widespread adoption in online support communities and mental health discussions.
Extended isolation increased focus on digital expressions of care and support.
2022
Evolved beyond pandemic context to become general symbol of emotional support.
Post-pandemic mental health awareness movements embraced the symbol.
2023
Increasingly used in social justice and community solidarity contexts.
Growing recognition of collective trauma and need for community healing.
Cultural Context
Created during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical touch was restricted, making it deeply significant as a symbol of what many people were missing.
Represents the human need for physical touch and connection, which studies show reduces stress hormones and increases oxytocin, the 'bonding hormone.'
One of the few emojis designed specifically to address a global crisis, showing how digital communication adapts to fulfill emotional needs during societal changes.
Quickly adopted by younger generations who were already comfortable expressing emotional support online, then spread to older users during pandemic isolation.
Unlike many emotion emojis that show a single face, this emoji depicts interaction between people, representing the communal aspect of emotional support.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Used with slightly more restraint, often with understated emotional expressions. Common in crisis support.
India
Frequently used in family contexts and to express collective community support during celebrations and hardships.
United States
Widely used across platforms with emphasis on emotional support and therapy contexts. Often paired with affirmations.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Adopted during pandemic for family communication. Used more sparingly but with sincere intent, often in one-to-one messages rather than public posts.
Gen_Z: Frequently used in casual contexts and support-focused social media communities. Often combined with sparkles or hearts on TikTok and Instagram.
Older: Less frequently used, but when employed, typically in family group chats or to express genuine concern during serious life events.
Millennials: Commonly used in mental health discussions, therapy contexts, and to express genuine emotional support during life challenges.
Common Combinations
🫂❤️
Deep emotional support with love and affection.
Used for close relationships during difficult times or to express deep care.
🫂✨
Healing embrace or transformative support.
Popular in wellness and spiritual communities to express supportive energy.
🫂🙏
Grateful for support or offering prayers with embrace.
Used to express gratitude for emotional support or combining prayer with comfort.
🫂💔
Comforting someone through heartbreak or grief.
Offering physical and emotional support during relationship problems or loss.
🫂🤗
Enthusiastic, warm embrace with affection.
Emphasizes the joyful aspect of hugging rather than just support.
Related Emojis
🤗
Similar hugging gesture but shows one person with open arms rather than two embracing.
❤️
Often paired with hugging to express loving support.
🙏
Frequently used alongside hugging to express gratitude for support or prayers.
😢
Often appears in same conversations as hugging emoji when offering comfort.
💪
Represents strength and support, complementing the emotional support of hugging.