New Emojis Poised for 2027 Release, Including Vulture and Orchid
Unicode has unveiled a draft list for Emoji 19.0, featuring five new candidates that could be available for smartphones next year.
Five new emojis are in line to be added to smartphone keyboards in 2027, following the release of a draft list for Emoji 19.0 by Unicode. The proposed additions include a vulture, an ornate bottle, an inukshuk, eyes looking right, and an orchid.
The candidates undergo several review stages, and their final approval and appearance on devices from companies like Apple and Samsung will depend on individual vendors. Emojipedia, a leading emoji resource, indicated that while the list is currently set at five, further additions have been rare in recent years.
The draft list is expected to be finalized by September 2027. Among the proposed emojis, the orchid carries a notable double meaning. The name 'orchid' is derived from the Greek word for testicle, due to the flower's twin tubers resembling the anatomy. Furthermore, orchid flowers are sometimes associated with female genitalia, adding a layer of suggestive symbolism.
Other proposed emojis include a vulture, depicted as a large brown and grey bird with a red head and neck. The ornate bottle, described as lime green with a yellow cork, could be used to represent potions, elixirs, oils, or syrups. The inukshuk is a stone structure traditionally associated with Inuit culture. The 'Eyes Looking Right' emoji would complement the existing 'eyes' emoji, which shows eyes looking left; if approved, the original would be renamed.
The potential new additions have already sparked discussion online, with users questioning the need for some emojis and expressing a desire for larger releases. The symbolic interpretations of the orchid have also been noted, with social media users referencing its dual meaning.