leftwards hand

What does leftwards hand mean?

The 🫲 leftwards hand emoji depicts a human hand reaching out to the left side, typically shown with the palm facing the viewer and fingers extended. Introduced to fill a gap in directional hand gestures, its primary function is to point out text or objects located to the left. It also serves as a visual representation of reaching out, offering assistance, or initiating a physical connection with someone else. In digital communication, people frequently use this emoji to draw attention to a preceding message, link, or image. However, its most famous and widely used context is alongside its counterpart, the rightwards hand (🫱), to create a customizable handshake (🫱🫲). This allows users to represent teamwork, finalized deals, or mutual agreement while mixing and matching different skin tonesβ€”a feature not historically available in the standard handshake emoji.

Slang & Modern Usage

In internet slang, the 🫲 emoji is essential for recreating the popular "Epic Handshake" meme in text format. By combining it with the rightwards hand (🫱🫲), Twitter and TikTok users frequently highlight unexpected solidarity or shared experiences between two drastically different groups, concepts, or fandoms. It has become the universal symbol for "we are the same" or "game recognizes game." Beyond the handshake, Gen Z users playfully employ the leftwards hand to demand something, using it as a "hand it over" gesture. Placing it next to an object emoji (like πŸ«²πŸ“± or πŸ«²β˜•) translates to "pass the phone" or "spill the tea." It can also be used defensively in arguments to mean "hold up" or "let me stop you right there," visually creating a barrier against the previous message.

Emoji Combos

Platform Differences

Apple's design features slightly more detailed shading around the palm and knuckles, whereas Google and Microsoft opt for flatter, smoother designs. Samsung's version shows a slightly thicker wrist area.

Technical Information

Unicode U+1FAF2
HTML Entity 🫲
CSS \1FAF2
JavaScript \u{1FAF2}
Unicode Version Unicode 14
Status Fully-qualified

Shortcodes

github

:leftwards_hand:

discord

:leftwards_hand:

slack

:leftwards_hand:

Skin Tone Variants

Related Emojis

πŸ‘‹ waving hand 🀚 raised back of hand πŸ–οΈ hand with fingers splayed βœ‹οΈ raised hand πŸ–– vulcan salute 🫱 rightwards hand 🫳 palm down hand 🫴 palm up hand

Tags

Direction Handshake Agreement Offering Left Partnership Solidarity Deal Gesture apontar direcao parceria

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 🫲 emoji mean?
The leftwards hand emoji represents a hand reaching or pointing to the left. It is commonly used to draw attention to something on the left, offer assistance, or ask someone to pass an item.
How do you make a multi-skin tone handshake emoji?
To create a custom handshake with different skin tones, place a rightwards hand (🫱) immediately followed by a leftwards hand (🫲). Many modern platforms will automatically merge these into a single handshake, or display them side-by-side to represent a deal.
What does 🫲 mean on TikTok?
On TikTok, it is often used as a "gimme" gesture to playfully demand something, like an explanation or a part two to a story. It is also used heavily in the 🫱🫲 combination to show agreement or shared opinions.

In-Depth Article

What Does the 🫲 leftwards hand Emoji Mean?