πββοΈ
Man Bowing
man bou-ing
Definitions
1
Gestures Β· Respect
common
A man bowing deeply from the waist, showing deep respect, sincere apology, or profound gratitude. Used to express humility, deference, or regret in formal contexts.
Often used when apologizing, showing gratitude, or expressing respect. More formal than π.
I'm so sorry I missed your presentation πββοΈ It won't happen again.
Personal message
Thank you for your incredible support through this difficult time πββοΈ
Social media post
Honored to be working with such a prestigious organization πββοΈ
Professional communication
Derived from East Asian bowing customs, particularly Japanese ojigi. The deeper the bow, the more respect or remorse shown.
2
Emotions Β· Embarrassment
common
Expresses embarrassment, shame, or feeling overwhelmed. Shows a person literally bowing their head in response to an uncomfortable or overwhelming situation.
Often used humorously to express feeling mortified or overwhelmed by circumstances.
Just realized my camera was on during that entire meeting πββοΈ
Group chat
When the teacher calls on you and you haven't done the reading πββοΈ
Social media caption
In Western contexts, this meaning has evolved beyond the traditional Asian bowing gesture to represent general embarrassment.
Evolution Timeline
2010
Introduced as gender-neutral 'person bowing' emoji in Unicode 6.0, derived from Japanese mobile carriers' emoji sets.
Growing internationalization of emoji and incorporation of Japanese cultural gestures
2016
Gender variants (man bowing, woman bowing) introduced with Unicode 9.0 as part of gender diversification efforts.
Push for more inclusive representation across the emoji keyboard
2018
Usage expanded beyond East Asian contexts to become a universal symbol for apology and embarrassment in Western social media.
Global social media adoption leading to cross-cultural emoji meaning evolution
2020
Saw increased usage during pandemic as people expressed gratitude to essential workers and apologized for social distancing issues.
COVID-19 pandemic creating new social communication needs
Cultural Context
Bowing (ojigi) in Japan has specific angles and durations depending on the level of respect or apology intended, with 45Β° bows showing deep apology, reflected in this emoji's design.
While the gesture originated in East Asian cultures, Western adoption often lacks awareness of the social hierarchies and formalities the bow represents in its original context.
The emoji transcends language barriers as a universal symbol for apology, allowing for expression of remorse without verbal explanation across cultural contexts.
One of several emojis that underwent gender diversification, creating specific variants for men and women performing the same action, reflecting evolving digital representation standards.
In East Asian business contexts, this emoji may be used in professional communications, while in Western contexts it's typically reserved for personal messages or social media.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Often used self-deprecatingly or ironically when expressing mild embarrassment or making polite apologies.
Japan
Used with full cultural understanding of ojigi (bowing), representing various degrees of formality, apology, or gratitude based on context.
United States
Primarily used to express apology or embarrassment, with less emphasis on the formal respect meaning found in East Asian contexts.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Less frequently used, but employed deliberately to show sincere apology or respect, particularly in cross-cultural business contexts.
Gen_Z: Often used ironically or for dramatic effect when slightly embarrassed. Frequently paired with other emojis in TikTok and Instagram captions.
Older: Limited usage, primarily in formal contexts when explicitly apologizing or showing gratitude to younger generations.
Millennials: Used more literally to express genuine apology or gratitude in messaging apps and work communications like Slack.
Common Combinations
πββοΈπ
Extreme apology or gratitude, combining bowing with praying hands for emphasis.
Amplifies sincerity through multiple respectful gestures, common in formal digital apologies.
πββοΈπ
Deeply remorseful apology with emotional distress, begging forgiveness.
Dramatizes apology to show genuine emotional impact, popular among younger users.
πββοΈπ―
Acknowledging someone's perfect point or accepting criticism completely.
Shows full acceptance of correction or critique, particularly in educational contexts.
πββοΈβ¨
Expressing deep gratitude for someone's help or wisdom.
Combines respect with admiration, often used when thanking mentors or teachers.
πββοΈπ
Apologizing repeatedly or expressing ongoing gratitude.
Indicates persistent or recurring apologies, often for ongoing situations.
Related Emojis
πββοΈ
Female version of the same bowing gesture
π
Alternative way to express gratitude or apology
π
Often used together to enhance feeling of remorse or regret
πββοΈ
Contrasting gesture showing acceptance rather than apology
π€¦ββοΈ
Alternative way to show embarrassment or shame