Women Holding Hands

Widely used to express both platonic female friendship and WLW romantic relationships; a staple in sapphic and queer online spaces.

Primarily interpreted as close female friendship or sisterly bond; LGBTQ+ connotations are less commonly acknowledged publicly due to cultural and legal sensitivities.

Generally understood as female friendship or sisterhood; romantic same-sex interpretation is largely avoided due to social and legal norms in most countries.

Universally readable as two women sharing a close bond, whether platonic or romantic depending on context.

Interpreted almost exclusively as close female friendship or sisterly affection; same-sex romantic connotations are not commonly expressed publicly.

Used to represent female friendship and solidarity; LGBTQ+ interpretations exist in progressive urban circles but are not mainstream.

Primarily understood as close female friendship (闺蜜 energy); while queer culture exists online, romantic connotations are less openly expressed due to platform censorship.

Can represent close female friendship or a yuri (百合) romantic vibe; both interpretations coexist comfortably in Japanese internet culture.

Used for female friendship and occasionally for openly queer expression in younger, progressive communities; K-pop fan culture also uses it for female idol ships.

Freely used for both female friendship and same-sex relationships given Taiwan's more open LGBTQ+ culture and legal recognition of same-sex marriage.

Used similarly to Taiwan — both friendship and romantic connotations are recognized, with growing visibility in LGBTQ+ communities.

Primarily signals close female friendship; queer interpretation is growing in visibility especially among younger, urban, and online communities.

Strongly interpreted as female friendship; same-sex romantic meaning is largely avoided in public due to conservative social and religious norms.

Comfortably used for both female friendship and sapphic relationships given Thailand's relatively open attitude toward LGBTQ+ identities in popular culture.

Mainly used for female friendship; LGBTQ+ visibility is growing but same-sex romantic use of the emoji remains relatively cautious in public spaces.

Used predominantly for female friendship; LGBTQ+ connotations are largely suppressed publicly due to legal and religious restrictions.

Interpreted strictly as female friendship or sisterhood; any romantic same-sex connotation would be considered highly inappropriate and is avoided.

Used to represent female friendship; same-sex romantic interpretation is not publicly expressed due to legal prohibitions.

Understood as close female friendship or sisterly bond; LGBTQ+ interpretation is socially and legally sensitive and largely absent in mainstream use.

Used for female friendship; queer communities in urban areas like Istanbul use it for WLW expression, though mainstream use remains platonic.

Interpreted strictly as female friendship; any LGBTQ+ connotation is highly sensitive due to legal restrictions and social norms.

Primarily used for female friendship and sisterhood; LGBTQ+ romantic connotations are rarely expressed publicly given strong social and legal stigmas.

Used for both female friendship and same-sex relationships, particularly in Cape Town and Johannesburg where LGBTQ+ communities are more visible and legally protected.

Used freely for both female friendship and lesbian/WLW relationships; widely accepted in mainstream and queer online culture.

Used for female friendship and same-sex relationships with relatively little controversy; French culture is generally open toward LGBTQ+ expression.

Comfortably used for female friendship and sapphic relationships; Germany's progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights makes both interpretations mainstream.

In Spain, used openly for friendship and LGBTQ+ expression; in Italy, predominantly used for friendship with growing but more cautious LGBTQ+ use.

Widely used for female friendship and lesbian relationships; Brazil has a large and visible LGBTQ+ community that embraces this emoji enthusiastically.

Used for female friendship broadly; LGBTQ+ use is growing especially among younger generations and in urban centers like Mexico City.

Across Latin America, primarily used for close female friendship with LGBTQ+ use increasing in younger, urban, and online communities.

Used freely and openly for both female friendship and WLW romantic relationships; both countries have strong LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance.