The Unicode Consortium has announced the release of Unicode 16.0, an extensive update that adds 5,185 new characters to its comprehensive character set, bringing the total count to a staggering 154,998. This latest version not only expands the range of scripts and symbols but also introduces eight new emoji designs that are set to capture the public’s imagination.
Among the new emoji are a shovel, a fingerprint, a leafless tree, a radish (officially termed “root vegetable”), a harp, a purple splat reminiscent of the ’90s Nickelodeon logo, and a flag for the island of Sark. The highlight of this update is the “face with bags under eyes,” which poignantly reflects the current zeitgeist with its weary expression.
Unicode 16.0 also includes support for seven new modern and historical scripts. These additions comprise the West African Garay alphabet, as well as the Gurung Khema, Kirat Rai, Ol Onal, and Sunuwar scripts from Northeast India and Nepal. Historical scripts such as Todhri from Albania and Tulu-Tigalari from Southwest India have also been incorporated.
The update follows Unicode 15.1, which, while introducing new designs, largely focused on modifying existing emoji rather than adding new characters. For instance, the lime emoji was a modified lemon emoji, and the phoenix was a combination of a regular bird and a fire emoji. Unicode 15.1 was intended as a minor update to Unicode 15.0.
In contrast, most of the new emoji in Unicode 16.0 are unique characters, with the exception of the Sark flag emoji. Flag sequences in Unicode are created by combining two “regional indicator letters,” eliminating the need for a zero-width joiner (ZWJ) character.
The integration of new emoji into everyday use involves several steps beyond their inclusion in the Unicode standard. Software developers, including those at Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Samsung, must create and implement versions of the new characters that align with their platforms’ existing designs. Users will then need to download and install software updates to access the new characters.
Amidst the excitement, there has been some confusion regarding a purported “greenwashing” emoji, reportedly designed by artist Shepard Fairey. This claim, however, is a hoax. Fake websites and misleading articles have circulated, falsely suggesting the existence of such an emoji and creating a fictitious controversy.
The face-with-bags-under-eyes emoji seems to capture the sentiment of navigating through the maze of misinformation and updates, perfectly encapsulating the era’s spirit.
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