There’s nothing like a good emoji to take your Instagram caption game to the next level. With the world hanging on to news of every emoji addition (You’ve got an avocado coming to an iPhone near you!), it’s safe to say that we all have our favorites. This holds true when it comes to describing our Instagram photos, as well.
We’ve come a long way since the very first emoji: The pioneering set can be found within the walls of the Museum of Modern Art, and they’re far from the emoticons you’re used to seeing today.
The original set was made up of 176 symbols designed by Japanese mobile provider NTT DoCoMo way back in 1999. When emojis were first used, the intention was much more practical, according to MoMa architecture and design specialist Paul Galloway.
“It really was a functional interface,” he said in an interview with T+L. “Very quickly the intended use of these things went very differently.”
Instagram pulled together a list of the emojis that popped up most often in users’ feeds this year. How many do you find yourself using?
1. Red Heart
2. Heart Eyes
3. Laughing Face
4. Kissing Face
5. Double Hearts
6. Smiling Face
7. OK Sign
8. Peace Sign
9. Celebration
