# The Next Emoji Wave: Cracking Face and Meteor Unicode introduces new emojis for richer emotional expression. - **Source:** [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-14 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/65c31195-0b2a-468e-8ffe-3287e0cacf26 ## Emoji Evolution The Unicode Consortium unveiled new emoji designs ahead of World Emoji Day on July 17. Symbols like the cracking face and meteor will arrive on users' devices by spring 2024. This update aims to expand emotional expression in digital communication. ## Meaning of the Cracking Face The cracking face emoji replaces the melting face to express 'everything's fine' when it's not. Approved by the Unicode Technical Committee in October 2023, it stands out as a symbol of modern life's duplicity. ## Meteor vs. Comet Distinction The new meteor emoji represents destruction, unlike the harmless comet. While comets streak harmlessly across the sky, meteors symbolize apocalyptic power. This distinction enriches the emoji library's narrative diversity. ## The Language of Butterflies The Monarch butterfly, added alongside the Morpho, carries different meanings. It represents generational resilience and ancestral memory. This update also resolves visual inconsistencies across devices. ## Other New Emojis An eraser, net with handle, lighthouse, and left-right pointing thumbs are among the new emojis. The thumbs are particularly suited for humorous messages, while the pickle emoji may polarize users. ## The Future of Digital Communication The Unicode 18 update expands the diversity of emotions and thoughts in digital communication. New emojis allow users to express themselves more clearly while encompassing cultural and universal themes. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.engadget.com/2215190/the-next-wave-of-emoji-could-help-you-evoke-beauty-and-existential-dread/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._