Hug 
{} 
Copy  
Popularity 
★ ★ ★ ★ ★   Popular 
Direction 
Vertical (not tilted sideways) 
 
Added 
March 1, 2012 
 
Description:  The left and right brackets represent arms giving you a hug.  It is a common way to send a hug to someone online. 
({}) 
Copy  
Popularity 
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆   Common 
Direction 
Horizontal (tilted 90° left) 
 
Added 
March 3, 2012 
 
Description:  This is a "big hug" that can be used to add some extra enthusiasm to the standard {} emoticon.  It is also the emoticon shortcut used to display the hug icon on BlackBerry smartphones. 
{ } 
Copy  
Popularity 
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆   Average 
Direction 
Vertical (not tilted sideways) 
 
Added 
October 26, 2009 
 
Description:  These two brackets can used to send someone a hug via e-mail or a text message. 
:)X 
Copy  
Popularity 
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆   Average 
Direction 
Horizontal (tilted 90° left) 
 
Added 
January 29, 2009 
 
Description:  The same as saying, "I hug you."  Represents a person wrapping his or her arms around someone. 
(~^.^)~~(^.^~) 
Copy  
Popularity 
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆   Average 
Direction 
Vertical (not tilted sideways) 
 
Added 
July 23, 2015 
 
Description:  A depiction of two people with arms reaching to each other looking to hug. 
(:)\/< 
Copy  
Popularity 
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆   Uncommon 
Direction 
Horizontal (tilted 90° left) 
 
Added 
March 5, 2012 
 
Description:  This person is reaching his arms out to give you a hug. 
(((H))) 
Copy  
Popularity 
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆   Uncommon 
Direction 
Vertical (not tilted sideways) 
 
Added 
November 2, 2010 
 
Description:  Someone getting a really big bear hug. 
(hug) 
Copy  
Popularity 
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆   Uncommon 
Direction 
Text (used as a shortcut) 
 
Added 
June 26, 2012 
 
Description:  A Skype shortcut that inserts a cute and cuddly bear reaching out for a hug, or more accurately, a "bear hug." 
Smiley Shortcut in:  
Skype  
(っ⌒‿⌒)っ 
Copy  
Popularity 
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆   Uncommon 
Direction 
Vertical (not tilted sideways) 
 
Added 
October 22, 2019 
 
Description:  An illustration of a happy person wanting to give a hug.  His arms are outstretched in the hugging position and his eyes are closed in a manner that conveys contentment. 
 
Emoticon Information from PC.net