Onion

Primarily used through the Shrek 'ogres have layers' meme lens — a pop culture shorthand for complexity and emotional depth.

Understood mostly as a literal food emoji in cooking contexts; onions are a staple ingredient so it is frequently used in recipe sharing and grocery conversations.

Used practically in food and cooking contexts where onion is a kitchen essential; minimal meme usage though layered metaphors resonate culturally.

Universally recognized as a food ingredient emoji; deeper meanings are understood by those with exposure to Western internet culture.

Used in literal food and market conversations; onions are culturally significant as a staple, so the emoji is common in everyday messaging about groceries.

Primarily a cooking and food emoji; used in recipe sharing and market discussions, especially during onion price hike news cycles.

Used in food and cooking contexts on platforms like WeChat; the layered metaphor concept aligns with cultural appreciation for hidden depth but is rarely explicit.

Used in recipes and food content on Twitter/X and LINE; the concept of 'layers' resonates aesthetically but meme usage is limited compared to Western contexts.

Appears in food content and recipe sharing on KakaoTalk and Instagram; K-drama fans occasionally use it to describe emotionally layered storylines.

Common in food-related messaging and LINE sticker culture; occasionally used metaphorically in youth culture for personal complexity.

Used in cooking and food delivery contexts; occasionally appears in ironic social media commentary about political or social complexity.

Gained viral significance during the 2022–2023 onion price crisis, making it symbolically loaded — used in political commentary and humor about economic hardship.

Used in food and cooking conversations; also appears in meme culture tied to Shrek given the widespread popularity of Shrek content in Indonesian internet culture.

Primarily a food emoji in recipe and cooking content; layered meaning is understood by Thai Gen Z exposed to global meme culture.

Used in cooking and food contexts; onions are a staple so the emoji is common in everyday grocery and recipe messaging.

Frequently used in food-related content; Malaysian internet users also use it in meme contexts inspired by global Shrek culture.

Used in food and cooking contexts, particularly in recipe sharing; metaphorical usage is limited but growing among digitally active youth.

Used in diverse expat communities for food content; the multicultural internet environment means both literal and meme usages coexist.

Onions hold cultural and historical significance (ancient Egyptian reverence) — the emoji is used in food, humor, and occasionally historical joke contexts.

Used in food and cooking contexts where onion is a cuisine staple; occasionally used sarcastically in political commentary about 'peeling back the truth.'

Primarily literal food usage in everyday messaging; onion is a kitchen staple, making this a common grocery and recipe emoji.

Used in food and cooking contexts; also appears in Nollywood fan communities to describe emotionally dramatic, layered storylines.

Used in food and braai (barbecue) culture contexts; also appears in youth meme culture with Shrek references.

Used in food contexts and heavily in meme culture — Shrek being a beloved UK/Irish cultural touchstone amplifies the layered meme usage significantly.

Used in cooking and culinary contexts where onion (especially in French cuisine like soupe à l'oignon) is iconic; occasional metaphorical use in philosophical social media posts.

Used practically in cooking and food content; Germans occasionally use it metaphorically for 'getting to the core of a matter' in analytical discussions.

Common in food and cooking contexts where onion is a culinary staple; rarely used metaphorically but appreciated in food photography and recipe sharing.

Used in food content and meme culture; Brazilian internet users connect it to Shrek memes and also use it during emotional discussions ironically.

Common in cooking contexts where onion is a fundamental ingredient in Mexican cuisine; occasionally used humorously in food memes.

Broadly used in food and recipe contexts across Latin America; Shrek meme culture is strong in the region, amplifying the layered meaning.

Used in food and cooking contexts and strongly tied to Shrek meme culture, which remains popular in Australian online humor communities.