In the fast-paced world of TikTok, trends emerge and evolve at lightning speed. From catchy sounds to viral dance challenges, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of content. But among these trends, one element often goes unnoticed by casual viewers: the use of colors and symbols. These seemingly simple choices can carry deep meanings, often tied to specific communities, memes, or inside jokes.
If you’ve found yourself puzzled by why a certain color or emoji is trending, you’re not alone. In this article, we’re going to break down some of the most popular colors and symbols on TikTok and explore what they really mean. Whether you’re new to TikTok or a seasoned scroller, this guide will help you keep up with the ever-evolving slang and visual language of the platform.
The Rise of Colors as Symbolism on TikTok
TikTok users are all about visual storytelling. One of the ways they communicate messages without saying much is through the strategic use of colors. Whether it’s a filter, background, or clothing, certain colors take on trending meanings. Let’s decode some of the most common colors you’ve probably seen pop up on your “For You” page.
1. Green: A Color with Layers of Meaning
Green has become particularly prominent in various TikTok communities. Sometimes, it’s associated with nature or wellness content, but recently, its meaning has expanded. For instance, green can symbolize social or political stances. This specific trend is especially true for users rallying around environmental issues or spreading awareness for mental health.
However, on TikTok, you might’ve come across a lesser-known slang for “green” – it’s connected to the shorthand “FN” (green FN), which stands for Fortnite in some contexts. This popular phrase has quickly caught on, especially among younger TikTok audiences. If you’re curious to learn more about the rise of “green FN” on TikTok and how it has spread across platforms, be sure to check out this detailed breakdown.
2. Pink: Feminine and Rebellion in One Color
Pink has often been viewed as a color tied to femininity and beauty standards, but on TikTok, it can also symbolize rebellion against these very norms. TikTokers use pink to comment on issues related to gender expectations, often blending it with satirical videos that poke fun at societal pressures. In some cases, pink has also been tied to trends supporting LGBTQ+ communities, representing pride and solidarity in creative ways.
3. Blue: Trust and Calm, with a Twist
Blue often symbolizes peace, tranquility, or emotional openness on TikTok. It’s used in videos promoting mental health, relaxation, and mindfulness. But TikTok, as usual, twists meanings to create inside jokes or subcultures around it. For instance, the “blue” emoji or filter can also be associated with users who post videos about staying cool and collected while addressing challenging topics.
4. Black: More Than Just a Trendy Aesthetic
Black is synonymous with fashion and aesthetic appeal on TikTok, but it also comes with deeper meanings. You’ll see black used in videos highlighting social justice movements or commenting on darker emotional themes. The #BlackoutTuesday movement on TikTok, for instance, used the color black as a unifying symbol of solidarity against racial injustice.
TikTok Symbols: Emojis with Hidden Meanings
Much like colors, emojis on TikTok have taken on meanings beyond their literal representations. TikTok users are masters of turning everyday symbols into memes or codes that only insiders can fully appreciate.
1. The Skull Emoji Laughing to Death
One of the most popular symbols in TikTok culture is the skull emoji. Contrary to what it might look like, the skull emoji doesn’t symbolize anything morbid in this context. Instead, it’s a humorous way of saying “I’m dead” or “this is hilarious.” When someone sees something outrageously funny, they’ll drop a skull emoji to signal that they were metaphorically “killed” by the joke.
2. The Chair Emoji : A Trend Gone Viral
In 2021, the chair emoji took TikTok by storm, and for the uninitiated, it was a head-scratcher. The emoji was used in place of the “laughing” emoji by several TikTok creators, particularly after a creator jokingly started replacing laughter with a chair. The trend went viral as users began to understand and use it as an inside joke.
3. The Eye Emoji : Symbol of Awkwardness
If you’ve seen the combination of an eye, mouth, and another eye emoji together on TikTok, this is typically used to express awkwardness or discomfort. It’s often paired with an ironic or cringe-worthy moment that leaves users unsure of how to react. It has become a go-to for creators looking to convey that “I don’t know what just happened” feeling.
Understanding the Power of Inside Jokes and Symbols
One of the reasons TikTok trends catch on so quickly is the platform’s reliance on inside jokes and community-specific symbols. Users band together over these common references, creating an environment that feels exclusive to those who are in-the-know. This is particularly true with colors and emojis, as TikTok culture often elevates the ordinary to extraordinary through repetition and humor.
Being part of the trend doesn’t just mean following it; it means understanding the deeper meanings behind these seemingly innocent choices. Whether it’s the color green symbolizing solidarity, or the skull emoji signaling laughter, every element has a role in the larger tapestry of TikTok’s creative expression.
Why This Matters: Staying Ahead of TikTok Trends
In the ever-changing landscape of TikTok, colors and symbols are more than just visual details—they’re essential tools for communicating complex ideas with simplicity and speed. Understanding these trends can help you stay ahead of the curve, whether you’re a content creator or someone just enjoying the platform.
Colors like green, pink, and black carry with them societal and cultural meanings that extend beyond the digital world, making it important to decode these cues. Similarly, symbols like the skull and chair emoji reveal how a single character can shift meaning depending on the context and community behind it.
As TikTok continues to evolve, expect these symbols and colors to keep shifting. The next time you see a viral video, pay attention to the colors and emojis—chances are, they’re saying more than meets the eye.
To learn more about how TikTok slang can influence larger digital conversations, including the intriguing rise of the “green FN” phrase, explore this in-depth article that breaks down the phenomenon.
