How do I "understand" kaomoji? (Japanese smilies)


When I see something like this:

[code]

    ﾍ(´∀｀ﾍ)ﾍ(´∀｀ﾍ)ﾖｲﾖｲ(ﾉ´∀｀)ﾉ(ﾉ´∀｀)ﾉﾖｲﾖｲ♪
    
[/code]

I think some voodoo demon wants to say something to me. o_O

My Japanese friends often use kaomoji. But, when they add (´▽｀) or (ﾟ∀ﾟ) I
can't tell if they are sad, confused, happy, or even angry. I just can't see
the emotion for an upside-down A.

Maybe you can draw something based on the most popular kaomoji, so I can
envision it in my mind like you do.

I'm afraid of those demon smilies! Please help me understand how to interpret
kaomoji.




Perhaps [this site](http://www.japaneseemoticons.net/all-japanese-emoticons/)
may be of use to you.

For each section there is a brief description and explanation of the choice of
symbols/characters used.

The characters used for kaomoji may represent:

  * Eyes (usually obvious)(may be covered by arms/hand)
  * Ears (may be absent)
  * Nose (may be absent)
  * Mouth ( `∀` and `▽` in your examples are mouths)
  * Limits of the face (usually these - `(` `)` are face delimiters)
  * Flushing of cheeks ( may be (but not limited to) `#` or `@` )
  * Sweat (usually obvious if present)
  * Tears (usually obvious if present)
  * Arms/hand ( `ﾍ` in your example)(And sometimes may be used to cover the eyes)
  * Lines of motion ( In `(-_-)ゞ゛`, `ゞ゛` is an arm with lines of motion showing a head-scratching action) 
  * Objects (占 - spray bottle, 尸 - flag, φ - pen, etc.)




Perhaps [this site](http://www.japaneseemoticons.net/all-japanese-emoticons/)
may be of use to you.

For each section there is a brief description and explanation of the choice of
symbols/characters used.

The characters used for kaomoji may represent:

  * Eyes (usually obvious)(may be covered by arms/hand)
  * Ears (may be absent)
  * Nose (may be absent)
  * Mouth ( `∀` and `▽` in your examples are mouths)
  * Limits of the face (usually these - `(` `)` are face delimiters)
  * Flushing of cheeks ( may be (but not limited to) `#` or `@` )
  * Sweat (usually obvious if present)
  * Tears (usually obvious if present)
  * Arms/hand ( `ﾍ` in your example)(And sometimes may be used to cover the eyes)
  * Lines of motion ( In `(-_-)ゞ゛`, `ゞ゛` is an arm with lines of motion showing a head-scratching action) 
  * Objects (占 - spray bottle, 尸 - flag, φ - pen, etc.)

