As the last single-digit number before 10, the number 9 can symbolise 'near completion' or 'fullness'. In the East, its pronunciation is the same as the character for 'long-lasting' (久), so it can also mean longevity or eternity.

In Korea, there's a custom called 'ahopsu' (the curse of nine) where people are cautious in years when their age ends in 9, like 19 or 29. However, the emoji is mainly used in positive or neutral contexts, such as emphasising lists. It's effective for expressing a high score, like 'A near-perfect 9 points!', or for indicating abundance, such as 'Nine different charms'.