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Wondering exactly what it means when you see a ๐ (rainbow) emoji? Whether you see this symbol on social media, in someoneโs bio, or in a text, the cheery ๐ adds a pop of color you canโt ignore. Weโll dive into the multiple meanings of the ๐ emoji and guide you through exactly how to use and interpret this popular symbol.
Steps
๐ (Rainbow) Emoji Meanings and Usage
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1People often use the rainbow emoji to express happiness. The vibrant colors of the emoji reflect positivity and joy. Try using a rainbow emoji the next time you feel thrilled, content, or hopeful about life.[1] X Research source
- โYay! I canโt wait to see you ๐๐ฏ๐โ
- โThatโs it. Today was officially the best day of my life ๐๐คฉโ
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2Rainbow emojis are closely associated with luck. This association likely comes from the old Irish tale describing how a leprechaun hid a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.[2] X Research source Feeling lucky? Add the rainbow emoji whenever you want to express your good fortune.
- โPhew, they canceled the test! ๐๐๐โ
- โScored courtside tickets to the Lakersโ game ๐๐โ
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3Rainbow emojis are also a symbol of harmony, love, and togetherness. You can drop a rainbow emoji into a post or message if you want to convey friendship and camaraderie. The next time youโre feeling the love, try out one of these approaches.[3] X Research source
- โWe really came together as a team at the last second. Iโll miss you all ๐๐ค.โ
- โWishing you nothing but peace and love. ๐โ
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4The rainbow emoji can represent beautiful weather. In some cases, people may use a rainbow emoji when they see a literal rainbow. Or, they might simply use a ๐ to express that itโs a nice day out.
- Literal usage: โI canโt believe I just saw a ๐๐ all the way across the sky.โ
- Metaphorical usage: โItโs finally summer! โ๏ธ๐๐ฆโ
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5The rainbow emoji is commonly used as a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community. Some people might add a ๐ into their social media bio to self-identify as queer. Alternatively, you can use the rainbow emoji to express pride and support for the queer community or parts of queer culture.
- โIโm Katie! Iโm from Seattle and I use she/her pronouns. ๐โ
- โProud to be married to this one, even if heโs a terrible cook ๐๐จโโค๏ธโ๐โ๐จโ
- โWatched Season 2 of Euphoria in 2 days. Letโs go!!! ๐โ
How to Respond to the ๐ (Rainbow) Emoji
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1Send back a positive comment if someoneโs using ๐ to express joy. Whenever someone uses the rainbow emoji to show that theyโre feeling happy or lucky, keep the good vibes going. You can add a happy emoji like a ๐ (grinning face with smiling eyes) or โญ (star) to emphasize your comment.
- Them: โGot the last cookie before they sold out ๐โ
- You: โYouโre my hero! ๐โ
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2Join in the enthusiasm if someoneโs talking about the weather. If you get a message about a real-life rainbow, let the other person know that you appreciate the natural beauty too.
- Them: "Did you see the pic I sent? Huge rainbows! ๐๐"
- You: โThanks for sharing. I just got to relive the โDouble Rainbowโ meme ๐โ
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3Show your support if someoneโs using the rainbow emoji to identify as LGBTQ+. If you get a rainbow emoji in a text, the sender might be expressing pride and affiliation with the queer community. This is especially true if they have a ๐ or ๐ณ๏ธโ๐ emoji in their social media bio. If you also identify as queer, try sending a rainbow back in solidarity. If you donโt identify as queer, feel free to continue the conversation as you normally would.
- Them: โHey, itโs Karl ๐โ
- You: โHey! ๐ What are you up to?โ
Related Emojis: The ๐ณ๏ธโ๐ (Rainbow Flag) Emoji
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The rainbow flag emoji symbolizes LGBTQ+ pride or identity.[4] X Research source You can use the ๐ณ๏ธโ๐ emoji to show you identify as LGBTQ+ or to voice your support for the community. Similarly, you can use the ๐ณ๏ธโ๐ emoji to emphasize and celebrate elements of queer culture.
- Using the emoji as self-identification: โHey all! Iโm Xander and I use they/them pronouns. ๐ณ๏ธโ๐โ
- Using the emoji to voice allyship or support: โEndlessly proud of all my ๐ณ๏ธโ๐ friends.โ
- Using the emoji to celebrate queer culture: โJust went to a Demi Lovato concert. Wow. ๐๐ณ๏ธโ๐โ