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

Co-authored by Glenn Carreau Reviewed by John Keegan

Last Updated: February 2, 2026 Fact Checked

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

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

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]
X
Expert Source

Han Mosby
Social Media Content Consultant

Expert Interview}
- “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.

2

Pink Heart 🩷 Emoji

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]
X
Expert Source

Han Mosby
Social Media Content Consultant

Expert Interview} 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

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]
X
Research source}
- “Can’t wait to see you! 💕”
- “💕 Date night with my bae 💕”

4

Growing Heart 💗 Emoji

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]
X
Research source}
- “Being with you makes me so happy! 💗”
- “I never knew I could love someone this much. 💗💗”

5

Beating Heart 💓 Emoji

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]
X
Expert Source

Han Mosby
Social Media Content Consultant

Expert Interview}
- “He said he loves me! 💓💓”
- “I’ve never felt like this before 💓”

6

Heart with Arrow 💘 Emoji

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]
X
Expert Source

Han Mosby
Social Media Content Consultant

Expert Interview}
- “Happy Valentine’s Day, Alex! 💘”
- “You + Me 💘💘💘”

7

Heart with Ribbon 💝 Emoji

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! 💝✨”

8

Sparkle Heart 💖 Emoji

The 💖 emoji puts a sweet spin on love. This pretty emoji represents love and affection with a playful or sweet tone.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- “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

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]
X
Research source}
- “He asked me to marry him! 💞💍”
- “Together forever 💞”

10

Broken Heart 💔 Emoji

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]
X
Expert Source

Han Mosby
Social Media Content Consultant

Expert Interview}
- “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

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]
X
Expert Source

Han Mosby
Social Media Content Consultant

Expert Interview} 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. ❤️‍🩹”

12

Fire Heart ❤️‍🔥 Emoji

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]
X
Expert Source

Han Mosby
Social Media Content Consultant

Expert Interview}
- “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

The ❣️ emoji depicts enthusiasm or agreement. This design looks like an exclamationpoint 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]
X
Research source}
- “It’s a date! ❣️”
- “That sounds amazing ❣️”

14

Purple Heart 💜 Emoji

The 💜 emoji represents compassion. Mobsy says hearts that use a color other than pink or red often represent “familial love or platonic friendships.”^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Han Mosby
Social Media Content Consultant

Expert Interview} 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

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! 💙”

16

Light Blue Heart 🩵 Emoji

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

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! 💚🏖️♻️”

18

Yellow Heart 💛 Emoji

The 💛 emoji represents happiness and friendship. Choose this bright yellow heart to give off a kind, caring vibe.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- “Lunch with my bestie always brightens my day! 💛”
- “💛 Happy Sunday, y’all! 💛”

19

Orange Heart 🧡 Emoji

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

20

White Heart 🤍 Emoji

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.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- “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

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. 🩶”

22

Black Heart 🖤 Emoji

The 🖤 emoji can express dark humor or sorrow. Go with the black heart emoji to show off a dark sense of humor.^{[16]
X
Research source} 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

The 🤎 emoji can represent people of color. Use the brown heart emoji to show your support for racial equality and justice.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- “How are you celebrating Black History Month? 🤎🖤”
- “We stand together. 🤎🖤”

24

Love Letter Heart 💌 Emoji

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

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! 💟”

26

Heart Hands 🫶 Emoji

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

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.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- “You coming to poker night? ♥️♠️♦️♣️”
- “How about a little 5-card stud? ♠️♥️”

28

Heart Outline ♡ Emoji

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

The 🫀emoji refers to the heart organ. When talking about anatomy, heart health, or heart problems, use this emoji to illustrate your point.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- “This anatomy class is so hard 🧠🫀🫁”
- “February is Heart Health Awareness Month! 🫀”

30

Smiley Face with Hearts 🥰 Emoji

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 🥰”

Understand and Use Sexual Emojis with this Expert Series

We've all been there. You're flirting with someone over text, and then they send a confusing emoji. What does it mean? Read this expert series and learn how to use emojis to upgrade your flirting!