Woman bowing

A deep bow: sorry, thank you, or respect. In Japan the everyday bow is called ojigi, and how deep and where you bow tells an apology from thanks or a greeting. 🙇 freezes one deep pose, so your words decide which you mean.

One common account links Japanese bowing to Buddhism's arrival, with Chinese-influenced manners, in the Asuka–Nara era (538–794). By medieval Japan it was formal etiquette for samurai, the warrior class: lowering your head before a superior showed you meant no harm.

Many designs draw the figure kneeling with its forehead toward the floor. In Japan that pose is dogeza, the full prostration of a grave apology or desperate plea, so Japanese readers may see more weight in it than a simple bow — or a deliberately over-the-top joke.

Someone sent you 🙇 — are they actually sorry?

Believe the bow unless they're laughing too. After a mess-up it means sorry; after your help, thank-you; at the end of a work request, a polite sign-off. Add 😂 and it turns into theatrical groveling.

Stack them — 🙇🙇🙇 — and it stops sounding sorrier. A pile of bows reads as joking, exaggerated pleading: pleeease.