principauté LE BRUSC EMOJI unicode seahorse hippocampe

PROPOSAL FOR NEW EMOJI: SEAHORSE

Unicode Emoji Submission Form

Abstract This proposal requests the inclusion of the SEAHORSE emoji. Despite previous rejections (2018), the « Seahorse » has become a unique case of the « Mandela Effect » in the tech world, with millions of users believing it already exists. Its absence creates a significant semantic gap for marine biology, medical discussions (neurology), gender identity (transgender parenting), and regional symbolism (Mayotte, Singapore).

1. IDENTIFICATION

  • CLDR Short Name: seahorse
  • CLDR Keywords: hippocampus | fatherhood | dream | patience | cute

2. IMAGES

              

3. SORT LOCATION

  • Category: Animals-Nature
  • Order: Ideally placed after Tropical Fish or Lobster .

4. SELECTION FACTORS — INCLUSION

A. Compatibility

Since 2018, a persistent internet phenomenon has emerged: the « Seahorse Emoji Mandela Effect. » Major tech blogs and social platforms (Reddit, X/Twitter) host continuous discussions from users confused by its absence. This proves an organic, pre-existing cognitive demand that no other animal emoji currently generates.

B. Expected Usage Level

  1. Frequency (Data)
  1. Linguistic Arguments (Global Reach) The argument that a seahorse can be represented by Horse + Wave is linguistically flawed for a massive portion of the global population:
  • Romance Languages (French, Spanish, Italian): The word (e.g., Hippocampe in French, Hipocampo in Spanish) is a distinct lexical unit derived from Greek, not a compound word like « Sea-Horse. » It does not evoke the image of a terrestrial horse. This affects over 320 million Francophones and hundreds of millions of Spanish speakers.
  • Japanese: The term is Tatsu-no-otoshigo (« Dragon’s illegitimate child »). The semantic link is to Dragons , not Horses .
  • Medical Context: The term Hippocampus refers to a vital brain structure (memory). Medical professionals and patients discussing Alzheimer’s or neurology cannot use a « Horse » emoji to represent the human brain.

C. Image Distinctiveness

The upright posture, curled tail, and unique snout of the Syngnathidae family are morphologically unique. It cannot be confused with any fish or mammal at small icon sizes.

D. Multiple Usages

  • Symbol of « Seahorse Dads » (Transgender Community): The seahorse is the only species where the male carries the pregnancy. The term « Seahorse Dad » has shifted from slang to accepted sociological terminology to describe transgender men who carry pregnancies. This emoji is highly requested for identity expression.
  • Regional Symbol (Mayotte or Noumea ): The seahorse is  the official symbol of Mayotte and Noumea (French Overseas Territories) and it features on their official Coat of Arms.
  • National Heritage (Singapore): Featured on the iconic « Marine Series » currency (10-cent coin), it remains a nostalgic national symbol.
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Hai Ma is a key ingredient in TCM, representing vitality and kidney health.
  • Values: In mindfulness contexts, the seahorse represents patience, serenity, and balance due to its calm swimming style and ability to anchor itself in turbulence.

5. SELECTION FACTORS — EXCLUSION

  • Overly Specific? No. It represents the entire Syngnathidae family.
  • Open-Ended? No. It is a visually distinct biological morphotype.
  • Already Representable? No.
    • Linguistically: As stated above, the Horse  + Wave  sequence fails for Japanese and Romance language speakers (French/Spanish/Italian).
    • Symbolically: A horse emoji cannot convey « male pregnancy, » « neurology, » or the patience of a slow-moving marine creature.

6. OTHER INFORMATION (Recidivism)

Has this been proposed before? Yes (notably in 2018).

What has changed since the last proposal?

  1. The « Mandela Effect » Verification: The user confusion regarding its existence has grown into a documented viral topic, proving a « phantom demand » that needs resolving.
  2. Societal Evolution: The concept of « Seahorse Parents » (transgender pregnancy) has entered mainstream discourse since 2019. The lack of this emoji now hinders modern discussions on gender and family structures.
  3. Marine Set Inconsistency: With the addition of Coral  in 2021, the marine ecosystem set is growing, making the exclusion of its most iconic resident visually inconsistent.
  4. The trends in Chinese show a very big interest in the seahorse.