The Unicode Consortium, the body responsible for standardizing digital text, has proposed nine new emoji for inclusion in the upcoming Unicode 18.0 update. Among them is a pickle, which some observers jokingly suggest could replace the eggplant as a popular (and often suggestive) symbol in digital communication.
What’s New in Unicode 18.0?
The proposed additions include:
- A smiley face with squinting eyes
- Left and right thumb gestures
- A monarch butterfly 🦋
- The pickle 🥒
- A lighthouse 💡
- A meteor ☄️
- An eraser ✏️
- A net with a handle 🎣
Why This Matters: The Evolution of Digital Language
Emoji have evolved far beyond simple pictograms. They are a vital part of modern digital communication, serving as shorthand for complex emotions, ideas, and even innuendo. The eggplant emoji, for example, has become widely recognized (and often misused) as a symbol for male genitalia. The pickle’s potential to fill this role highlights how quickly digital culture adapts and reassigns meaning to new symbols.
When Will You See These Emoji?
The Unicode Consortium typically approves new emoji in September. However, approval doesn’t guarantee immediate availability. Apple, Samsung, and other tech companies must design their own versions, and these typically roll out in software updates the following year. If approved, these emoji are likely to appear on devices in 2027.
This process explains why emoji approved in 2024 (such as the orca and sasquatch) haven’t yet reached our phones. The apple core emoji was even withdrawn from consideration in 2025, showing that not all proposals make the cut.
The Takeaway
The addition of new emoji reflects the evolving nature of digital language. While it’s uncertain whether the pickle will dethrone the eggplant, this update underscores how quickly cultural meanings attach themselves to new symbols. Expect these additions to arrive in late 2027, after platform developers implement their designs.
