Western emoticons are basically written from left to right. Here are 15 of the most popular ones.
1. Smile
: – ) or :-] or :3 or :> stands for happiness.
2. Grin
: – D expresses great happiness or a victory.
3. Frown
: – ( or :-c represents sadness or disappointment. The latter can also mean great sadness.
4. Wink
; – ) or ,-) or *-) indicates a joke or double entendre in what was said.
5. Tongue
: – P or : – p or :-b is an emoticon to tease, often used as a joke.
6. Open mouth
:-O or : – () stands for surprise or shock.
7. Distorted mouth
: – / means skepticism, being annoyed or uneasy.
8. Beaked lips
:-X or :-* or :-<> expresses a kiss, love and affection. But careful, this one can be ambiguous.
:-@ or : – ) ~~ ( – : or : – )~~~~ stand for french kissing.
9. Sealed lips
:-X or :-# stands for embarrassment. Notice the ambiguity.
10. Halo
0:-) represents an angel or innocence and is often used in a playful manner.
11. Tear
:’-( shows a crying face and expresses sadness.
12. Horns
>:-) or >:-D is used to express evil.
13. Blank
: – | expresses boredom, but can also stand for no comment.
14. Spittle
:-p~~ represents drooling.
15. Arrow
>.> or <.< or >_> or <_< points the way in which to look. Technically, this is an eastern emoticon.