Elf: light skin tone

Both; the message around it decides. The 2016 proposal behind 🧝 described an elf as a supernatural being from Germanic myth and folklore, usually immortal, with long pointed ears, and pointed to fantasy hits like The Lord of the Rings as proof people would use it. It also listed Santa's assistants as a Christmas use. So one emoji serves the elf of fantasy stories and games and the little helper of the North Pole workshop.

The word is old: Old English ælf, Old Norse álfr. Medieval sources show elves as anything from dangerous to generous, and later English literature often shrank them into small fairy folk. Christmas took up the word early: the 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas calls Santa himself "a right jolly old elf", and a Harper's Weekly poem from 1857 already has elves at work making his toys.

What does it mean when someone sends you 🧝?

Usually fantasy, gaming or Christmas spirit. A lone 🧝 just says "elf". Talk of a book, film, game or costume points to a fantasy character, often the sender's own; December words, 🎄 or 🎅 point to Santa's helper and holiday cheer. Sent about a person, it compares them to an elf, which can be admiring or teasing depending on the tone of the chat; if it's unclear, ask.