What Does the ❄️ Snowflake Emoji Mean?

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: July 13, 2024 Fact Checked

The sparkling, whimsical ❄️ (snowflake) emoji sure is pretty, but what does it mean? This magical emoji has a whole flurry of meanings—some of which may surprise you. It’s taken Twitter and TikTok by storm, falling on the most unlikely of victims. We’ve put together an easy guide to help you understand the ins and outs of this unique emoji, so keep reading to learn what the ❄️ (snowflake) emoji means and how you can use it.

Section 1 of 4:

What does the ❄️ (snowflake) emoji mean on Twitter?

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The ❄️ is used to flirt in Twitter DMs. It all started in 2020 when rapper Quavo posted a screenshot for the “how it started vs. how it’s going” trend. This screenshot shared the first interaction with his now-former girlfriend, Saweetie. He had sent her a single ❄️ in reference to her song “Icy Girl.” This led to his first pick-up line, giving the ❄️ a whole new meaning.^{[1]
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- Snowflakes started popping up in everyone’s DMs. If someone wanted to flirt, they’d send a single ❄️ to see if feelings were reciprocated.
- The 🔥 soon became the universal sign that they weren’t interested, melting the flirt and ❄️ away.
The term “snowflake” is often used as an insult to call someone weak, fragile, or hypersensitive.^{[2]
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Research source} Twitter users turned this interpretation on its head, saying that snowflakes can get a lot done when they come together. There is strength in numbers, as a blizzard is much more powerful than a single snowflake. If you see a ❄️ in someone’s Twitter handle, it means you’re not alone.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 4:

What does the ❄️ (snowflake) emoji mean on TikTok?

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The ❄️ is used as an insult on TikTok. The word “snowflake” is often used in a demeaning way to call someone overly emotional or describe someone who can’t take criticism.^{[4]
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Research source} This interpretation has been adapted on TikTok to say a user is weak or doesn’t like receiving feedback.
- “I’d suggest how you could make this better, but you’re such a ❄️”
- “You’re crying over nothing ❄️”

Section 3 of 4:

Other ❄️ (Snowflake) Emoji Meanings and Uses

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A ❄️ represents all things winter. From cold weather to blustering snowstorms, the ❄️ has you covered for everything snowy. You can use this frosty emoji to describe cold weather or when talking about any wintery activity.^{[5]
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- “It’s a winter wonderland out there ❄️☃️🎄”
- “Wanna go skiing later? It’s the perfect snow day for it! ❄️🎿”
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A ❄️ conveys uniqueness. Each and every snowflake is different—there’s not one that’s the same as another, and the ❄️ is interpreted the same way. Consider adding this emoji to a message when you feel positively special or have done something extraordinary.
- “If you’re always trying to be normal, you’ll never know how amazing you can be ❄️🥰”
- “Can many people say they got a 99% on the final? Nope! Because I did that! 😆❄️”
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The ❄️ can be used to describe something magically beautiful. If you’ve seen Disney’s Frozen, you know just how whimsical snow can be. Try adding a ❄️ to a message describing the beauty and whimsy of the world, or pair it with a 🧙 or ✨ when talking about fantastical things.^{[6]
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- “Go outside RIGHT NOW!! The flurries are beautiful ❄️😍”
- “If I were a 🧙, I’d build my very own Olaf ❄️✨”

Section 4 of 4:

Fun Snowflake Emoji Pairings

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Add some extra sparkle to a ❄️ with other emojis. There’s an emoji combination for every occasion, whether you’re wanting to emphasize winter activities or magic.^{[7]
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Research source} Check out these common ❄️ emoji pairings to see which best fits your mood:
- ❄️👸: Snow queen
- ❄️✨: Sparkling or magical snow
- ☃️️❄️👏: Building a snowman
- 🛷❄️🌨: Sledding
- ❄️☃️🎄: Winter wonderland
- 🌦️ 🌧️ ⛈️ 🌩️ 🌨️ ❄️: Weather