Hug kaomoji reach out with open arms made from characters like っ, づ and ⊂. They are a lovely way to comfort a friend, welcome someone back or say thank you when a heart alone feels too small. Some faces run in for a hug, others squeeze tightly. Pick the one that matches your mood and copy it with a tap.
How the arms are made
The Japanese small tsu っ and its cousin づ look like little arms reaching forward, which is why they appear in so many hugging faces. Placing them on both sides, as in (っ´▽`)っ, suggests someone rushing in for a squeeze. Curved brackets like ⊂ and ⊃ create wider, rounder arms, perfect for big bear hugs such as ⊂(￣(ｴ)￣)⊃.
Sending a hug over text
A virtual hug is one of the kindest messages you can send. Use a gentle (つ˘◡˘)つ when someone is having a hard week, a bouncy (つ≧▽≦)つ to greet a friend you have not seen for ages, or a teary (っ˘̩╭╮˘̩)っ to share in someone’s sadness. Even a short “sending this your way” plus a hug kaomoji feels surprisingly personal.