🫲
Leftwards Hand
left-wərdz hand
Definitions
1
Gestures · Communication
Common
A hand facing left with palm outward, typically used to represent offering, reaching out, or connecting with someone. Often paired with the rightwards hand emoji to form a handshake.
Commonly used in professional contexts to indicate collaboration, agreement, or partnership.
Ready to collaborate on this project 🫲
Professional message
Extending my support during this difficult time 🫲
Social media post
Functions as half of a digital handshake, symbolizing connection across digital spaces. Often used in business or networking contexts.
2
Gestures · Greeting
Common
A hand gesture representing a wave, greeting, or acknowledgment directed toward someone. Can indicate saying hello or goodbye.
Often used at the beginning or end of messages to add warmth to digital communication.
Hey there 🫲 just checking in to see how you're doing
Text message
The direction of the hand (left) can indicate the sender is reaching out to the recipient rather than waving away.
Evolution Timeline
2021
Introduction in Unicode 14.0, primarily designed to create a handshake with the rightwards hand emoji.
Increased demand for digital representations of connection during global pandemic isolation.
2022
Gained popularity in professional networking and business communications.
Remote work normalization created need for digital handshake equivalents.
Cultural Context
The leftwards hand emoji represents the Western handshake ritual translated to digital communication, preserving social connection formalities in virtual spaces.
Created specifically to pair with the rightwards hand, demonstrating how emoji design evolves to facilitate complex social interactions in digital environments.
Functions as a visual metonym, where the hand represents the entire action of reaching out, offering, or connecting with others.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Used similarly to the US, but with slightly higher frequency in casual contexts.
United States
Most commonly used in professional networking contexts and business communications.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Primarily used in business contexts to signify agreement or partnership. Often paired with rightwards hand.
Gen_Z: Used casually in group chats to signal inclusion or support. Often used singularly rather than in pairs.
Older: Less frequently used alone; more commonly employed in the handshake combination to formalize digital agreements.
Millennials: Frequently used in professional contexts and networking. Common in work-related digital communications.
Common Combinations
🫲🫱
A handshake, representing agreement, deal-making, or partnership.
Digital equivalent of a physical handshake, signifying formal agreement or professional connection.
🫲❤️
Offering love, support, or compassion to someone.
Used to express emotional support or extend care during difficult times.
🫲💪
Offering strength or support to someone facing challenges.
Used to show solidarity or provide encouragement during difficult situations.
🫲🎁
Giving a gift or offering something valuable to someone.
Represents generosity or the act of giving, either literally or metaphorically.