The mate emoji is that iconic South American pick‑me‑up: a gourd packed with yerba mate and a metal straw (the bombilla) that says “let’s share a sip and some stories.” It channels Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil vibes—think friends passing the cup in a circle, thermos under the arm, and long chats that outlast the caffeine. Online, it signals cozy hangouts, study marathons, wellness‑meets‑energy, or a cheeky “spill the tea” moment—except, plot twist, it’s not tea tea. Brits sometimes drop it as a punny nod to “cheers, mate,” which is either peak wordplay or maximum chaos depending on your timeline.
On Apple/iOS, you’ll spot a warm brown calabash‑style gourd with a shiny metal rim and a sleek silver bombilla angled toward the top‑right, brimming with textured, earthy‑green leaves—glossy highlights and subtle shading give it that photogenic 3D look. People use it to rep their roots, invite a mellow convo, or flex Messi‑level fútbol culture (locker room thermos sightings included). It also shows up in memes as the “healthy but hyper” beverage, the weekend asado companion, or an IRL social ritual compressed into one tiny icon. Bonus irony: newcomers mistake it for matcha or boba—cue the “not that green drink” corrections—while flirty types use it to suggest sharing a cup, because passing the mate is basically a soft‑launch of friendship.
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Emoji History The emoji code/ image log of changes.
