What Does the 🙌 Hands Up Emoji Mean?

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Curious about the 🙌 (hands up) emoji? Also called the raising hands emoji, this versatile symbol has a variety of meanings depending on the context of the message. Whether you want to send someone a double-High 5 or praise the Lord, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover all the meanings of the 🙌 (hands up) emoji and how you can use it in your own texts and posts.

Hands Up Emoji Meaning

The 🙌 (hands up) emoji typically means there's something to celebrate! Texters use this emoji when they're excited or proud about something. It usually indicates that they want the person they're texting to share in their pride and excitement as well.

Section 1 of 3:

🙌 (Hands Up) Emoji Meanings

PDF download Download Article
  1. Throw your hands up because it’s time to party! The 🙌 emoji symbolizes good times and celebrations. It shows up when someone’s excited or expressing pride and joy in something. [1]
    • “I’m going to Harvard! 🙌”
    • “Who’s turning up tonight!? 🙌”
  2. Someone can use 🙌 to say that they’re thankful or relieved that something good happened. Some people use it in a religious sense (“Praise be to God! 🙌”) and some use it secularly (“Phew! 🙌”)—it just depends on the context. [2]
    • “Hallelujah, I passed the exam! 🙌”
    • “Feeling grateful today 🙌”
    Advertisement
  3. It’s common to see the 🙌 emoji when people are talking about their dreams and aspirations. It symbolizes that you’re keeping the faith and feel like good things are coming your way.
    • “Manifesting an awesome New Year 🙌”
    • “Keep up the grind and you’ll get rewarded, baby! 🙌”
  4. The 🙌 emoji means “Give me 10!” (holding up both hands and slapping palms with another person) in a sports or team context. It pops up a lot among teammates, collaborators, or between people that just want to hype each other up. [3]
    • “Give me 10, man! 🙌”
    • “Good job team! Put ‘em up! 🙌”
  5. The 🙌 emoji appears a lot in social media comments when someone strongly agrees with an opinion shared in someone’s post. Imagine someone in a crowd yelling “Yaas!” or “Preach!” [4]
    • “You said it sister 🙌”
    • “🙌 Ain't that the truth!!”
  6. Didn’t see that coming! Picture someone walking into a surprise party—the 🙌 emoji mimics them throwing up their hands in shock (in the good way). It also shows up in surprise announcements, like a band posting their tour dates or a couple revealing that they’re pregnant.
    • “Surprise! 🙌 I’m gonna make it home for the holidays after all!”
    • “🙌 We’re engaged! ❤️”
    7. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

How to Use the 🙌 (Hands Up) Emoji

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use 🙌 when you want to ramp up the energy in a conversation or you’re talking about fun plans happening later. It works for casual nights out or fancy events—whatever you feel like celebrating!
    • “It’s finally the weekend 🙌”
    • Who’s going to Kayla’s graduation party!? 🙌”
  2. Use the 🙌 emoji to show how proud you are of someone (or yourself!). Attach it to a compliment or a congratulatory message. You can also just say who and what it is you’re proud of.
    • “So proud of my daughter winning her first fencing tournament! 🙌”
    • “🙌 Congrats on your engagement!!”
  3. Treating someone to an unexpected party or gift? Include the 🙌 emoji to add a little flair to your message. You can also use it to describe a time when you were surprised or something pleasantly unexpected happened to you.
    • “Guess what!? I just got us tickets to see Marina next week! 🙌”
    • “Here’s some pics from Brian’s surprise party 🙌 He had no idea! 🤣”
  4. Send a virtual double-High 5 to someone to congratulate them or add some encouraging energy to your message. Give 10 to anyone, especially teammates or partners in something competitive like sports or video games.
    • “We did it!! 🙌”
    • “Nice job on the soccer field today!” 🙌”
  5. Express your gratitude or relief when something goes your way. Use 🙌 by itself as a standalone “Thank God!” or pair it with a sentence explaining what happened or what you’re thankful for.
    • “Aced my last college exam of senior year! 🙌”
    • “I love when my grandchildren come to visit 🙌”
  6. Got a feeling that your hard work is going to pay off soon? Use the 🙌 emoji to illustrate your optimism or reflect on how far you’ve come.
    • “Good things come to those who hustle 🙌 Keep up the good work!”
    • “One year ago I was broke. Today I own my own business 🙌”
  7. Show your strong support of what somebody said. You can use a few 🙌 emojis by themselves or pair one with an exclamation of agreement.
    • “🙌 🙌 🙌”
    • “YES 🙌”
    8. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

🙌 (Hands Up) Emoji Substitutes

PDF download Download Article
  1. There are a ton of different emojis you can use to illustrate your messages and make your point. Try some of these in place of the 🙌 emoji—variety is the spice of life, after all!
    • 🥂 or 🎉 = Time to celebrate (“Cheers!” or “Party time!”)
    • 🙏 = Praying or thankful
    • ✋ = High 5
    • 😮 = Surprised Face
    • 👍 = Thumbs Up (“I agree!”)

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      What Emojis Mean Sex?
      The Top Emojis Guys Use when They Like or Love You
      The Top Emojis a Girl Will Use if She Likes You
      What Does the OBJ () Emoji Mean?
      What Does the 👅 Tongue Emoji Mean?
      What Do All the Different Hand Emojis Mean?
      What Does the 🤍 White Heart Emoji Mean?
      What Does the 🙌🙏 Two Hands Emoji Mean?
      What Does the 😘💋 Kiss Emoji Mean?
      5 Quick Ways to Make the Heart Symbol Using a Computer
      14 Flirty Emojis to Send Your Crush (Plus What They Mean & How to Reply)
      What Does the Pink Heart Emoji 🩷 Mean?
      Aesthetic Emoji Combinations to Spice Up Your Posts and Messages
      What Does the 🥰 Smiling Face with Hearts Emoji Mean?
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/g3601/surprising-emoji-meanings/
      2. ↑ https://yaytext.com/emoji/raising-hands/
      3. ↑ http://www.iemoji.com/view/emoji/69/smileys-people/raising-hands
      4. ↑ https://whatemoji.org/raising-hands/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 266,460 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement