March 16, 2024, 12:22 pm | Read time: 7 minutes

In daily communication via PC, tablet, or smartphone, the use of emojis is often indispensable. After all, they can visually break up entire blocks of text or succinctly convey personal sentiments. The heart is particularly popular, and its meaning is clear to many. However, there can be more nuances than expected. TECHBOOK explains the heart colors as they appear on WhatsApp, for example.

So many hearts on WhatsApp and elsewhere

Whether on WhatsApp, Signal, or other chat platforms, users have long had more than just a single heart emoji to choose from. There are numerous variations, such as paired hearts, hearts on fire, broken hearts, or hearts with a bandage.

But even a single, standard heart comes in various forms thanks to multiple Unicode updates: Currently, there are twelve different colors. Their meanings and uses often overlap, but there are also significant differences.

Heart colors and their meanings

In a blog post on the Unicode Consortium’s website Emojipedia, the authors provide a general overview. The Unicode Consortium decides which emojis appear by default, so the explanations in the article carry some credibility.

It states that the various hearts originally had no specific intentions: “There is no secret heart emoji code to crack.” Intrinsically, there is nothing more than the graphic itself. However, it is acknowledged that there are nuances in how they are used and what they can represent. Analyses of numerous tweets illustrate this.

And regardless of whether there is an “official” meaning or not, it ultimately depends on what users worldwide do with them. There is also an interpretive level, as some hearts are frequently used in specific contexts. The explanations on emojis.wiki are insightful, as they reflect the diverse use and interpretation of hearts, also because anyone can add meanings there.

Also interesting: Where do emojis come from?

Red Heart

❤️

The classic and certainly the most straightforward heart color on WhatsApp and elsewhere. The red heart widely represents love and romance and was, according to a statistical study by Emojipedia in 2021, by far the most popular heart.

In an analysis of more than 1.6 million tweets, internet users often used it alongside words like “love,” “thanks,” “beautiful,” “good,” “happy,” or “birthday.”

Purple Heart

💜

This example is strongly associated with a specific topic in an empirical analysis of tweets: the Korean boy band BTS. According to Newsweek, member V explained a few years ago that purple is the last color of the rainbow. It means he will trust and love someone for a long time.

Fans were so moved and excited by this that they have since used the color purple to express their affection for the group. This naturally includes the heart, and since BTS is still considered one of the biggest boy bands, the frequent use online is mainly in this context.

Other uses: Expression of glamour and glitz. In the U.S., there is also the Purple Heart medal for wounded soldiers, which can also be implied.

Green Heart

💚

According to Emojipedia, the green heart also frequently appears with a K-pop group, specifically NCT. Their trademark is the color green, which is why fans often use this emoji for them.

It can also stand for a healthy lifestyle and anything organic. It is also very popular for Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day. However, it can also be used negatively to express envy. Jealousy is also conveyed with it.

Yellow Heart

💛

Statistically, the yellow heart often appears alongside a sunflower emoji. It may serve to lighten a message. Additionally, patience is one interpretation.

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Orange Heart

🧡

The orange heart is relatively new. It was only added in 2017, about ten years after most others. According to Emojipedia, it usually appears with other colored hearts.

However, there is an interpretation that it symbolizes concern. And, of course, users can use it when it simply comes to the color orange itself or orange things–such as oranges.

Blue Heart

💙

The use of the blue heart is particularly unique. The analysis shows that brands frequently use it for their social media posts. It often accompanies a pointing finger emoji to encourage clicking on a link or symbols like a money bag or a shopping cart.

Why they choose the blue heart specifically is unclear. It is speculated that it appears more neutral than others. Like any other heart, it can also mean “love” or “thanks.” However, “coupon,” “promo,” “store,” or “discount” are the most common word associations.

Furthermore, the blue heart can express support for autism, as the color is symbolically associated with it, as explained by Lebenshilfe Buxtehude. Other uses: Deep and stable love, anything related to water or the sea, harmony and peace, hope, but also death and suicide. Allegedly, it can also be a sign for the friend zone.

Also interesting: These emojis you are definitely using wrong!

Black Heart

🖤

Empirically, Emojipedia describes the black heart as “disappointing.” Despite its color, its use is not very noticeable and is similar to other colored hearts, usually sent in combination with them. Only the pleading emoji ranks third among the symbols most frequently used with this heart variant.

Nevertheless, users can express darkness, sadness, or black humor with it. It is also considered a suitable choice when it comes to fashion and chic.

White Heart

🤍

The white heart has a very specific partner: the pleading face emoji. Of course, it is not actually used just for begging and requesting. Due to its appearance, it often expresses appreciation or the feeling of being moved by something.

That fits. Words and expressions like “angel,” “good night,” “peace,” or “remember” often accompany the white heart. It is therefore frequently used to talk about the death of a person. You can also use it to signal an open and helpful attitude–or simply your love for white chocolate.

Brown Heart

🤎

The brown heart was only added in 2019 and is statistically the least popular of all heart emojis. While the red heart appeared almost nine times per 1,000 tweets in 2020, the brown heart was hardly noticeable. Nevertheless, there are very specific uses.

Besides the obvious love for chocolate, people use the brown heart to talk about ethnic identities. One of the most common words associated with this emoji is “skin.”

Also interesting: How to create and send your own emojis

Light Blue Heart

🩵

The light blue heart was only added in 2022, making it one of the three newest in this list. Along with the gray and pink hearts, it was not part of the analysis, as it refers to the year 2020. An initial interpretation suggests it can refer to people who make others laugh.

Pink Heart

🩷

This one has also been around only since 2022. The romantic meaning is said to be expanded to include the level of support. People also use it to describe a close friendship–as if they feel like siblings.

Gray Heart

🩶

The last of the hearts that appeared in 2022. According to initial meaning suggestions and uses, it can refer to a person who helped someone get over a broken heart. It could also be someone you love very much, even if they sometimes make you angry. Then you forgive them, fearing losing them.