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In the huge collection of Unicode emoji available on all gadgets today, there are separate categories of images, and one of them is Animals and Nature. The emoji in this category are quite diverse – there are cute faces of puppies and foxes, mythical unicorns, and various plants. But there are also less cute and popular pictures, such as the Bat Emoji. In what cases can this emoticon be used and does it carry any additional meanings? Let’s try to find out below.
🦇 The Bat Emoji was assigned the code U+1F987, with which it was added to the Animals and Nature section of the Unicode 9.0 standard in 2016.
In modern interpretation, the symbol of the bat is associated with something unpleasant, magic, horrors. And this is due not only to the repulsive appearance of the creatures themselves and their nocturnal way of life. A big role in the formation of the image played a novel by Bram Stoker and feature films about vampires, written on his motives. But the symbol of the bat does not always and not in all peoples means death and horror. What is the right way to interpret it?
For example, in Africa it is considered a very intelligent animal, as it easily navigates in the dark and never encounters trees and bushes. Consequently, it symbolizes wisdom and insight. Some African peoples endow her with mystical properties – she is the assistant of sorcerers. In ancient times, the mouse was a symbol of vigilance.
The bat is a symbol of rebirth and depth because it is a creature that lives in the womb of the Mother (Earth). From the womb-like caves it emerges every evening at dusk. And so – from the womb it is reborn every evening.
The nocturnal nature of the bat has some negative associations. It is a symbol of the night devouring the day. It is said that the bat absorbs light because it wakes up at dusk, in the interval between day and night. The indigenous Indian tribes of Brazil say that a bat that swallows the sun heralds the end of the world, and the Mayans believed that the bat was a harbinger of death. The Christian faith is also suspicious of the bat because it is seen as an incarnation of Satan.
Unlike the European tradition of demonizing bats and turning them into dragons and symbols of horror and witchcraft, the Chinese and Japanese consider bats to be symbols of goodness, wisdom, luck, prosperity, longevity and happy life.
In the mind of modern man, the bat is associated with dark forces, magic and myths about vampires. And no wonder: these creatures are not very pleasant, live in pitch darkness and terrify many people. Therefore, the image of a bat represents fear and death.
In artistic texts, the bat appeared as a negative symbol. Especially brightly it is revealed in the work of Dante Alighieri. In his “Divine Comedy” the devil, who dwelt in hell, had the wings of a bat and flapped his wings to bring cold into the underworld. In the paintings of medieval and modern artists, bats are often companions of witches during their sabbaths, which also does not contribute to the formation of a positive image.
Over the years, this flying animal has also become one of the symbols of the most “frightening” holiday, Halloweeen. So today the Bat Emoji is primarily associated with this holiday and all the associated paraphernalia.
Of course, cases of using The Bat Emoji also in the literal sense – to designate a particular flying animal – are not excluded. But this is not the most popular animal, so Halloweeen wins in this respect.
A mysterious nocturnal predator, the bat has long been perceived as a guide to the world of mystical knowledge and spirits. And now it has come to be considered a symbol of strength and calm, wisdom and resilience.
Despite the deepest symbolism and mystical trail of the bat, today emoji with its image is used mainly as an addition to messages and posts related to such a popular holiday as Halloween.