Core values
The base character is 🤝. Its Unicode code point is U+1F91D. The HTML decimal entity is 🤝 and the hexadecimal entity is 🤝. A common shortcode is :handshake:, although shortcode support is platform-specific.
Direct Unicode
Modern UTF-8 documents can include 🤝 directly in HTML, CSS content, JavaScript strings, JSON and text files. Add a UTF-8 meta charset near the beginning of an HTML head. Direct Unicode is usually easier to read than an entity in content files.
HTML entities
The decimal and hexadecimal entities produce the same character in a browser. They are useful when a source workflow prefers ASCII characters. Entities are decoded in HTML contexts; a plain-text file will show the entity characters literally.
JavaScript
JavaScript source can contain const symbol = "🤝" or use the modern escape \u{1F91D}. An emoji may occupy two UTF-16 code units, so use Array.from or codePointAt when processing code points. Avoid slicing a visible grapheme by one code unit.
CSS content
CSS generated content can include the character directly or an escaped code point. Generated content should not carry essential information because assistive technologies may handle it inconsistently.
Shortcodes
The shortcode :handshake: is common in chat and repository platforms, but it is not part of Unicode. The application must convert it. Unsupported platforms show the literal colon-wrapped word.
Skin-tone sequences
Skin-tone versions contain additional modifiers, and mixed-tone handshakes may be joined sequences. Treat the visible emoji as one grapheme when copying or storing it. Older systems may split the sequence.
Testing and fallback
Test the character in target browsers, devices and fonts. When rendering fails or fixed artwork is required, offer descriptive text or a transparent PNG and keep the Unicode character in accessible labels.
Use UTF-8 throughout the page
The simplest web method is to place 🤝 directly in HTML, provided the document uses UTF-8. Include <meta charset="utf-8"> near the start of the head and save the source file with UTF-8 encoding. This prevents the bytes from being interpreted as unrelated characters. The decimal entity 🤝 and hexadecimal entity 🤝 are equivalent alternatives inside HTML text.
Unicode values are not image files
U+1F91D identifies the character, while the operating system or application supplies the visible artwork. That is why the same code can look different on Apple, Google, Microsoft or Samsung devices. CSS can change the surrounding font size and spacing, but it cannot force every platform to use identical emoji artwork. Use a locally generated PNG when a fixed visual appearance is essential.
Shortcodes depend on the application
The text :handshake: is not part of Unicode and will not automatically become an emoji in every editor. Services such as chat platforms may convert recognized shortcodes before displaying a message. In ordinary HTML, the shortcode remains plain text unless custom JavaScript or server processing replaces it. For portable content, use the Unicode character or an HTML entity.