Next spring, users of iPhone and Android devices will encounter a fresh set of emojis, expanding the visual language of digital communication.
The upcoming release includes nine symbols: a cracking face, leftward and rightward thumb signs, a monarch butterfly, a pickle, a lighthouse, a meteor, an eraser, and a net with a handle.
Although modest in size compared to previous updates, the selection offers a playful variety that is likely to see immediate use.
Many assume that major technology firms or a mysterious “emoji board” dictate these additions, but the decision‑making process is more decentralized.
The Unicode Consortium, founded in 1991, maintains the technical standards for emojis but does not generate the concepts themselves.
All new emoji ideas originate from individual contributors outside the consortium, who submit proposals for consideration.
Prospective submitters must first verify that their suggestion has not already been approved or formally declined by consulting the consortium’s public proposal status archive.
Proposals rejected within the past four years remain ineligible for reconsideration, while those declined earlier may be resubmitted.
A formal submission follows a prescribed template, including a title, submitter name, date, keyword identifiers, and sample images that meet licensing requirements.
Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed emoji conveys multiple concepts, integrates well with existing symbols, adds distinct visual value, and fulfills a clear usage need.
The proposal must also address potential objections, showing that the idea is not already represented, overly specific, merely trendy, or covered by an existing emoji.
For the 2026 cycle, the consortium opened submissions on April 2 and will close them on July 31, giving a limited window for entries.
Given the detailed requirements and tight deadline, interested contributors are advised to begin preparing their proposals promptly.
