Emoji are small digital images or icons used to express ideas, emotions, or concepts in electronic communication. They originated in Japan in the late 1990s and have since become a global phenomenon, enhancing text messages and social media posts. Each emoji represents a specific meaning, ranging from facial expressions to objects, animals, and activities. The use of emoji helps convey tone and sentiment that might be lost in plain text. For example, a smiling face emoji can indicate happiness, while a thumbs-up emoji signifies approval. With thousands of options available, including variations for different skin tones and genders, emoji continue to evolve and reflect cultural diversity.