A seasonal digital phenomenon involves circulating sequences of pictorial symbols representing elements associated with the holiday in question. These symbolic strings are distributed through electronic communication platforms, often with an implied or explicit request for forwarding to a wider audience. For example, a sequence consisting of a ghost emoji, a pumpkin emoji, and a candy emoji, coupled with a request to resend to contacts, exemplifies this practice.
The perceived value of these symbolic transmissions lies in their ability to create a sense of shared experience and community during a particular time of year. Historically, chain letters have served a similar purpose, and the digital iteration continues this tradition in a more visually engaging format. This phenomenon can boost engagement on social media and messaging platforms, contributing to a heightened sense of festivity.