Category: Tutorials

The Bitcoin Emoji Encyclopedia 2019: The most common insignia and their meaning

In recent years, Bitcoiners have started to use various emojis as part of their Twitter handles. I might even go as far as to say, that many Bitcoin Twitter users are wearing them as insignia, such as battle hardened soldiers would do it with pride. But what on earth does a torch have to do with the Lightning network? And what’s up with the rollercoaster? Read below.

Do you know the meaning of all the emojis in @hodlonauts Twitter handle?

Bitcoin and Lightning emojis and their meaning

⚡️ Lightning enthusiast

A person displaying this badge has most likely used the Bitcoin Lightning network. They strongly believe in decentralization. Therefore, many of them are running their own Lightning node (such as the Casa Lightning Node, the Nodl, or a RaspiBlitz). Most of them are hardcore Bitcoin maximalists. Don’t mess with them!

🔦 Lightning torch

The “Lightning torch” is part of the viral phenomenon #lntrustchain which was initiated by @holdonaut. The torch refers to a lightning transaction, that is passed from user to user. Each user adds 10k satoshis on top of the transaction and forwards it to the next user. A true viral phenomenon that has even made it to Twitter CEO @jack.

🔑 Proof of keys

This either refers to the deep belief that one should always hold their own private keys (“Not your keys, not your Bitcoin”), or to the initiative “Proof of keys” by @TraceMayer, who suggested to withdraw all Bitcoin from exchanges each January 3rd to test their liquidity and to spread the word about the importance to own your private keys.

🛰️ or 📡 Blockstream satellites

Users with these two icons in their Twitter user name are either excited about or have used the Blockstream satellites that broadcast the Bitcoin blockchain around the world 24/7. Suggested variations by @_drgo are 📡👂 for receiving and 📡📢 for sending data.

📻 Ham radio (Offline Bitcoin)

Did you know that you can also send Bitcoin “offline” via ham radio? If you see this emoji, you found someone who certainly does.

🐂 Permabull

Permabulls believe, that the Bitcoin adoption (and price) will ultimately keep growing and therefore never sell their Bitcoin. For them, there are no bear markets. Instead, those are mere market corrections which they use to accumulate more Bitcoin. Most #hodlers are permabulls. Critics say permabulls don’t manage risk and are plain reckless.

🐻 Permabear

Permabears believe, that Bitcoin is (constantly) overvalued and that adoption will drop and price never recover. Many of them are convinced that Bitcoin is nothing more than a failed experiment. Most permabears are #nocoiners. Hence: They are likely to miss out on the chance of their lifetime.

💊 Redpilled

Remember when Morpheus offered a red and a blue pill to Neo in the iconic movie “The Matrix“? The red pill stands for “Knowledge, freedom, and the brutal truths of reality”. If you have the red pill in your Twitter handle you show the world that once you knew Bitcoin, there was no turning back. PS: Careful, some browsers/devices show this emoji in blue.

🌽 Corn

Corn is a meme word for Bitcoin that was popularized by Mark Williams from Boston University. Use this insider emoji to (ironically) identify yourself as passionate Bitcoiner.

🎢 Bitcoin rollercoaster

This refers to the famous “Bitcoin rollercoaster guy“. It means, that you’re numb to price movements, no matter the direction. You don’t panic, whatever happens. You embrace the rollercoaster and plan to ride Bitcoin to the “moon”.

🔥 This is fine

The fire emoji refers to the popular meme “This is fine“. Put it into your Twitter handle if you’re not shaken out of your position, no matter the FUD or bearish price action. Often used in conjunction with the Bitcoin rollercoaster.

🚀 or 🌕 Mooner

You strongly believe that the price of Bitcoin will go to the “moon”. Everyone defines their “moon” (= very high, almost unattainable Bitcoin price target) differently. It’s the ultimate goal of every #hodler to reach their personal “moon”.

🐢 or ⏳ Low time preference

You are not one of those who are into Bitcoin just to “get rich quick”. You have a low time preference and don’t need instant gratification. You’re prepared to #hodl your Bitcoin for years, if not decades. As kid, you would probably have passed the marshmallow test.

🔨 Buidl

You are not just a passive participant in the Bitcoin space. You’re actually #buidling (= meme for “build”) something. Maybe a service making a use of the Bitcoin network, or actually contributing to Bitcoin itself. Keep going, you’re on the right way! You’re probably “in for the tech”.

⛏️ Miner

You are mining (= creating new) Bitcoin. Period.

📈 Bullish trader

Often seen in the Twitter handles of traders who currently see a bullish sentiment in the market. Not to be confused with the Permabulls who are always, without exception, bullish.

📉 Bearish trader

Bearish traders see a temporary bearish sentiment in the market. Not to be confused with the Permabears who are always, without exception, pessimistic when it comes to Bitcoin price.

🔪 Knife catcher

“Professional knife catchers” take pride in buying, while the price of Bitcoin is plummeting. Most traders would consider this reckless behavior: “Never catch a falling knife“.

🍕 Bitcoin pizza

On May 22, 2010, now known as Bitcoin Pizza Day, Laszlo Hanyecz famously paid 10000 Bitcoin for two pizzas. You’re commemorating this event. Probably you’re not just #hodling, but also using Bitcoin to buy stuff.

☕ Bitcoin coffee

You’re either believing in Roger Ver’s vision, that literally every coffee should be bought on-chain (Protip: Don’t do that), or you’re using it to say: “See, we can also buy small things like coffee with Lightning. There is no reason to do it on-chain”.

🥩 or 🍖 or 🥓 Bitcoin carnivore

As regular Bitcoin Twitter user you might have come around the Bitcoin carnivore movement. If you’re into this, show some meat!

🌮 Bitcoin taco carnivore

Seeing it as far superior to Bitcoin carnivore maximalism, @piratebeachbum, @hodlonaut and others are spreading the gospel of Bitcoin taco carnivorism. The “Satoshi bitcoin taco carnivore roundtable” has already proven to be very successful and influential. Meanwhile, the taco has also grown to be an inofficial symbol for Tippin.me. Perhaps Tippin.me founder Sergio is a taco carnivore, too. Jo Sergio, let me know. And give me one of these tasty tacos!

Missing an emoji? Post it with a description in the comments below.

Protip: How to set a custom user agent (node name) for your Bitcoin Core node

RecklessInTexas“, “Banana!🍌”, “Madame_S“, “AlphaCentauri“, “LightningTheFuture⚡”, “Groove Lightning“, “Reckless Coffee Test“, “badgerbolt“, “MustHaveMustache“, “🐸ThePepeBank🐸”: All of those creative names have in common, that they are the names of Lightning nodes. Meanwhile, in the world of Bitcoin full nodes, we’re blessed with the likes of “Satoshi:0.16.3” or “Satoshi:0.17.1“. Only occasionally Bitcoin full node operators set up custom names for their nodes. Why is that? Are the Lightning node operators just a lot more creative?

Rarely spotted: Bitcoin nodes with custom user agents

Well … no. Instead, it has to do with usability: While most Lightning implementations allow users to easily set up their node names, often even as part of the initial node setup process, the comparable feature in Bitcoin Core is hidden within a configuration file.

Fun fact: The feature to change the user agent in Bitcoin Core exists since 2015. The related PR is #6462.

Modification of “bitcoin.config”

To set up a custom node name (custom user agent) for your Bitcoin Core node, navigate to your Bitcoin directory and open the file “bitcoin.config” in a text editor of your choice. If the file is not there yet, simply create it. Alternatively, you can access “bitcoin.config” via the Bitcoin Core settings menu.

Once “bitcoin.config” is open in the text editor, add a new line uacomment=your custom name goes here. In our example we chose “Always HODL Bitcoin” as custom user agent.

We’re adding the custom node name (custom user agent) to bitcoin.config

There are however two limitations: You cannot use UTF-8 symbols, such as the lightning bolt ⚡or Pepe 🐸 . You will have to stick to ANSI characters, only. The second limitation is, that you can never replace the full Bitcoin Core user agent, just add to it. In our example this results in our node name (user agent) being shown as “Satoshi:0.17.1(Always HODL Bitcoin)“.

Now save the changes to “bitcoin.config” and restart your Bitcoin core node.

We’ve been successful in setting up the custom node name (custom user agent)

After the restart open the debug window and check if you can see your custom text in the line “user agent“. If you do, congratulations! From now on all other nodes can see your custom user agent. This means, it will also show up on pages such as bitnodes.earn.com, albeit with a little time delay.

Enjoy your new knowledge and individualize your node. Perhaps you want to add a #hodl message or send greetings to #faketoshi. Whatever it is, set it up and post your creative ideas in the comments below.