Emojion๐ eggplant
Meaning
Beyond its literal use as a vegetable, this emoji is widely recognized in English-speaking countries as a phallic symbol. In Japan, it also carries a lucky meaning rooted in the classic New Year's dream proverb.
Keywords: aubergine, vegetable
๐ How it's used where you are
United States
The sexual slang meaning took hold around 2011 and has since become one of the most recognizable phallic symbols in emoji culture โ famously triggering an Instagram search ban in 2015.
๐ก Did you know?
When Instagram launched emoji hashtag search in 2015, the eggplant immediately became one of the most popular tags โ only to be banned from search within days due to guideline-violating content. The American Dialect Society named it the 'Most Notable Emoji of 2015' the following year.
๐ก Did you know?
In Japan, dreaming of an eggplant on New Year's Eve is considered lucky (from the proverb 'ichi-Fuji, ni-taka, san-nasu'). For Western users who only know the sexual slang meaning, receiving this message can cause quite a bit of confusion.
How it's used around the world
Japan
Tied to the lucky New Year's dream proverb 'ichi-Fuji, ni-taka, san-nasu,' this emoji can be used positively to express good fortune. Awareness of its sexual slang meaning is lower than in Western countries, especially among older users.
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