Heart Emoji Meanings: A Guide to Understanding & Using Them

Social media content consultant Han Mosby shares how to pick the right heart emoji for every type of message

Wondering what all of the heart emojis represent? While all heart emojis show love, each one is a little different. From colored hearts to double hearts and even anatomically correct hearts, we’re here to break it all down for you, with tips from social media content consultant Han Mosby. Read on so that the next time you get a text with a heart emoji or see a heart emoji on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or WhatsApp, you’ll know just what it means.

Heart Emoji Meanings: Visual Guide

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An illustration showing an assortment of popular heart emojis and their associated meanings.

Social media content consultant Han Mosby says that red heart emojis (like ❤️ and 💘) represent romantic love, while pink usually represents friendship. The colorful heart emojis each have their own special meaning, too; there’s 💜 (compassion), 💙 (trust and loyalty), 💚 (nature), 💛 (friendship), 🩶 (sympathy), and 🤍 (pure love).

1

Red Heart ❤️ Emoji

  1. The ❤️ emoji signifies true romantic love.
    While you can use this emoji to show that you love anyone or anything, Mosby says that red heart emojis “are a more romantic symbol of love.”[1]
    • “I love you, babe! ❤️”
    • “You look amazing! ❤️😍”

    Meet the wikiHow Expert

    Han Mosby is a social media consultant based in Oxfordshire, England. She’s also the founder of Social Han, and she specializes in social media management, digital advertising, and inbound marketing.

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2

Pink Heart 🩷 Emoji

  1. The 🩷 emoji represents love and friendship.
    The plain pink heart is a versatile little emoji, and you can use it in a few different contexts. “The pink hearts have the most variety of meanings and can show different emotions,” says Mosby, adding that they’re usually “more of a friendship representation.”[2] It can be a symbol of romantic love, genuine friendship, or even just general feelings of warmth, as well as appreciation for people. It’s one of the later heart emojis, added in 2022.
    • “You’re my favorite person! 🩷”
    • “I really appreciate you. Thanks! 🩷”
3

Double Heart 💕 Emoji

  1. The 💕 emoji means love is in the air.
    Use the double heart emoji to signify mutual love between two people, usually in a romantic sense.[3]
    • “Can’t wait to see you! 💕”
    • “💕 Date night with my bae 💕”
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4

Growing Heart 💗 Emoji

  1. The 💗 emoji is usually used to indicate falling in love.
    If you’ve got growing feelings of love for someone, show that with this sweet emoji.[4]
    • “Being with you makes me so happy! 💗”
    • “I never knew I could love someone this much. 💗💗”
5

Beating Heart 💓 Emoji

  1. The 💓 emoji represents intense love.
    You can also convey liveliness or life with this emoji that depicts a beating or vibrating heart. Mosby adds that this is sometimes used as “sending out love to someone.”[5]
    • “He said he loves me! 💓💓”
    • “I’ve never felt like this before 💓”
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6

Heart with Arrow 💘 Emoji

  1. The 💘 emoji is reminiscent of Valentine’s Day.
    Do you feel like you’ve been shot with Cupid’s arrow? Mosby says this emoji represents “being in love or saying ‘love you.’”[6]
    • “Happy Valentine’s Day, Alex! 💘”
    • “You + Me 💘💘💘”
7

Heart with Ribbon 💝 Emoji

  1. The 💝 emoji represents giving your heart to someone.
    This gift-wrapped heart shows that you’ve let someone into your heart. It can also signify gift-giving.
    • “Forget the key, I’m giving you my whole heart 💝”
    • “Thank you so much for the gift! I love it! 💝✨”
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8

Sparkle Heart 💖 Emoji

  1. The 💖 emoji puts a sweet spin on love.
    This pretty emoji represents love and affection with a playful or sweet tone.[7]
    • “Baking cakes with Anya today! 🎂 I love spending time with my mini-me! 💖”
    • “ 💖 Thank you for all of the birthday wishes! 💖”
9

Revolving Hearts 💞 Emoji

  1. The 💞 emoji shows mutual understanding or overwhelming joy.
    If your S.O. makes you incredibly happy and you feel like soulmates, use this emoji to share your feelings.[8]
    • “He asked me to marry him! 💞💍”
    • “Together forever 💞”
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10

Broken Heart 💔 Emoji

  1. The 💔 emoji represents heartbreak.
    Mosby says the broken heart emoji can be used to convey a sense of suffering or betrayal. But she adds that it’s also sometimes used “in a more ironic way to disagree with something.”[9]
    • “I’m crushed 💔”
    • “After 2 years together, she broke up with me over text 💔😭”
    • “I thought we were friends until you said you hated tacos 💔”
11

Bandaged Heart ❤️‍🩹 Emoji

  1. The ❤️‍🩹 emoji symbolizes recovery and healing.
    Mosby says that, like the broken heart emoji, the bandaged heart can “display upset, grief, or heartbreak,” or it can be used ironically.[10] You could also use it to show that your heart is healed from heartbreak, or at least on the road to recovering from it, or as an expression of sympathy when someone else is in emotional pain.
    • “I’ve been feeling better lately, thanks. ❤️‍🩹”
    • “Really hope you feel better soon. I’m here for you. ❤️‍🩹”
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12

Fire Heart ❤️‍🔥 Emoji

  1. The ❤️‍🔥 emoji represents passion.
    It’s fitting for any intense and fiery relationship. Mosby says the heart on fire “shows passion, excitement, or flirtation.” But she adds that it can also “be used in a more ironic way to show 100% support of something.”[11]
    • “I need to be with you ASAP ❤️‍🔥”
    • “Can’t stop thinking about you. ❤️‍🔥”
    • “I think it’s a great idea for you to start your own business! ❤️‍🔥”
13

Heart Exclamation ❣️ Emoji

  1. The ❣️ emoji depicts enthusiasm or agreement.
    This design looks like an exclamation point with a heart on top. Use this heart emoji to show that you’re excited about something or on the same page with someone.[12] Mosby adds that this emoji can also be used to symbolize romantic love.[13]
    • “It’s a date! ❣️”
    • “That sounds amazing ❣️”
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14

Purple Heart 💜 Emoji

  1. The 💜 emoji represents compassion.
    Mobsy says hearts that use a color other than pink or red often represent “familial love or platonic friendships.”[14] Use the purple heart emoji to show that you care.
    • “I’m sorry you’re going through such a tough time. 💜”
    • “Good luck today! 💜”
15

Blue Heart 💙 Emoji

  1. The 💙 emoji indicates trust, harmony, peace, or loyalty.
    Pick the blue heart emoji to show love in a platonic way. Or, use it to show a sense of happiness.
    • “I’m always here for you, bro. 💙”
    • “What a great day! 💙”
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16

Light Blue Heart 🩵 Emoji

  1. The 🩵 emoji is a sign of friendship and casual affection.
    The light blue heart can also express appreciation for someone or enjoyment of something, as well as objects or ideas associated with that color.
    • “Hey, friend! How are ya? 🩵”
    • “Wanna go for a dip in the pool? 🩵”
17

Green Heart 💚 Emoji

  1. The 💚 emoji can represent healthy living or jealousy.
    Use the green heart emoji to express envy. Or, use it to represent your love for the environment or dedication to making healthy choices.
    • “Sam won the award for employee of the month. 💚”
    • “Beach cleanup this Sunday! 💚🏖️♻️”
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18

Yellow Heart 💛 Emoji

  1. The 💛 emoji represents happiness and friendship.
    Choose this bright yellow heart to give off a kind, caring vibe.[15]
    • “Lunch with my bestie always brightens my day! 💛”
    • “💛 Happy Sunday, y’all! 💛”
19

Orange Heart 🧡 Emoji

  1. The 🧡 emoji signifies friendship.
    Send the orange heart emoji to show your support for a friend.
    • “You got this!! 🧡”
    • “Love you, friend! 🧡”
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20

White Heart 🤍 Emoji

  1. The 🤍 emoji represents pure love.
    Use the white heart emoji to show pure love, such as between a parent and child. The white heart also represents support or admiration.[16]
    • “I can’t believe sweet Natalia is already 1 year old! I love her with my whole heart. 🤍🎈👑”
    • “I’ve got your back! 🤍”
21

Gray Heart 🩶 Emoji

  1. The 🩶 emoji signifies platonic love and comfort.
    You can use the gray heart to express sympathy and share some love and support with someone who needs it (like a family member or friend going through a tough time).
    • “Thinking of you today. 🩶”
    • “Anything you need? I got you. 🩶”
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22

Black Heart 🖤 Emoji

  1. The 🖤 emoji can express dark humor or sorrow.
    Go with the black heart emoji to show off a dark sense of humor.[17] Or, add this emoji to a message about mourning or loss.
    • “I 🖤 true crime”
    • “Missing my brother so much today. 🖤 I can’t believe he’s been gone for 5 years.”
23

Brown Heart 🤎 Emoji

  1. The 🤎 emoji can represent people of color.
    Use the brown heart emoji to show your support for racial equality and justice.[18]
    • “How are you celebrating Black History Month? 🤎🖤”
    • “We stand together. 🤎🖤”
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24

Love Letter Heart 💌 Emoji

  1. The 💌 emoji depicts a love note or Valentine.
    Use the love letter emoji to send a cute little love message to that someone special! It conveys love, happiness, and affection.
    • “Sending you all my love. 💌”
    • “Will you be my Valentine? 💌”
25

Heart Decoration 💟 Emoji

  1. The 💟 emoji signifies positive emotions.
    This is a general heart emoji that you can use to express love or happiness in nearly any situation.
    • “Looking forward to it! 💟”
    • “I got the best news today! 💟”
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26

Heart Hands 🫶 Emoji

  1. The 🫶 emoji represents love of all kinds.
    It depicts two hands forming a heart shape, and it can be used in almost any context—it’s a symbol of love and friendship. You could send it to a friend, lover, or family member to express affection and support.
    • “So thankful to have a friend like you! 🫶”
    • “Just a reminder that I adore you. 🫶”
27

Heart Suit ♥️ Emoji

  1. The ♥️ emoji was made for the heart suit in a deck of cards.
    If you’re referencing a card game, this emoji is the perfect complement.[19]
    • “You coming to poker night? ♥️♠️♦️♣️”
    • “How about a little 5-card stud? ♠️♥️”
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28

Heart Outline ♡ Emoji

  1. The ♡ emoji is the outline of a heart.
    Use this versatile emoji whenever you’re talking about something or someone you love.
    • “Fridays are my favorite! ♡”
    • “You’re the best! ♡”
29

Anatomical Heart 🫀 Emoji

  1. The 🫀emoji refers to the heart organ.
    When talking about anatomy, heart health, or heart problems, use this emoji to illustrate your point.[20]
    • “This anatomy class is so hard 🧠🫀🫁”
    • “February is Heart Health Awareness Month! 🫀”
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30

Smiley Face with Hearts 🥰 Emoji

  1. The 🥰 emoji represents feelings of affection and love.
    It might not be a standard “heart” emoji, but we’re including it nonetheless! This emoji can be used to express affection, happiness, and the feeling of being in love.
    • “I had such a great day with you! 🥰”
    • “You make my heart sing 🥰”

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References

  1. ↑ Han Mosby. Social Media Content Consultant. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Han Mosby. Social Media Content Consultant. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://blog.emojipedia.org/what-every-heart-emoji-really-means/
  4. ↑ https://blog.emojipedia.org/what-every-heart-emoji-really-means/
  5. ↑ Han Mosby. Social Media Content Consultant. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ Han Mosby. Social Media Content Consultant. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ https://hyemoji.com/Sparkling+Heart
  8. ↑ https://blog.emojipedia.org/what-every-heart-emoji-really-means/
  9. ↑ Han Mosby. Social Media Content Consultant. Expert Interview
  1. ↑ Han Mosby. Social Media Content Consultant. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Han Mosby. Social Media Content Consultant. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://emojitips.com/heart-emojis/
  4. ↑ Han Mosby. Social Media Content Consultant. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ Han Mosby. Social Media Content Consultant. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://blog.emojipedia.org/what-every-heart-emoji-really-means/
  7. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/relationships/a65059812/emoji-heart-meanings/
  8. ↑ https://emojipedia.org/black-heart
  9. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/emoji/brown-heart-emoji/
  10. ↑ https://emojipedia.org/heart-suit
  11. ↑ https://emojiterra.com/anatomical-heart/

About This Article

Han Mosby
Reviewed by:
Han Mosby
Social Media Content Consultant
This article was reviewed by Han Mosby and by wikiHow staff writer, Glenn Carreau. Han Mosby is a social media content consultant based in Oxfordshire, England. After 1.5 years as the marketing manager for a female coach, Han founded Social Han in 2022 and has since helped amplify hundreds of female coaches and service providers. She specializes in social media management, digital advertising, and inbound marketing, with a focus on helping clients create content that sells their services on Instagram. Han has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Bath Spa University. This article has been viewed 287,524 times.
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Updated: March 4, 2026
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Categories: Emoticons and Emojis
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