The Unicode Consortium, the body that controls and approves universal software standards for letters and other characters,has approved 72 new emoji set to be released soon.

The new images, which will add to the 1,601 already in existence, add a number of long-requested symbols. They largely follow the same themes as popular emoji already in use, from facial expressions to hand symbols, animals and food.

It’s taken three years since it was deemed the word of the year, but a selfie emoji, featuring an outstretched arm and phone, are being introduced. Clowns, shrugs, facepalms and pregnant women are also all catered for, as are gorillas, rhinos, owls and sharks. On the food front, croissants, pancakes and bacon all make it onto the new roster.

Although these will be adopted by Unicode in June, smartphone users will have to wait for an update from their manufacturer. The new emoji could be introduced with iOS 10 and Android N, due to be released later this year.

Here are the new emoji:

(Content source: Telegraph.co.uk)