At first I thought it was an anime face with cat lips, but if you look at it form the right side, it looks like gratitude. This makes more sense:

(3

it's a sideways cat.

=3

*Is still confused*

Why is it used so often if it is a cat? "So such-and-such happened. :3"

What?!?!

and most emotes are seen tilting your head to the left, and have mouths, so I don't understand why this one is from the right and does not have a mouth... (beside a three being only one direction.)

-CF

Ostensibly, it's a cat

Cats are cute

Therefore, it's an emoticon for "cute"

and most emotes are seen tilting your head to the left, and have mouths, so I don't understand why this one is from the right and does not have a mouth... (beside a three being only one direction.)

Because people don't know how to properly use it?

OK, Smeag's reply sort of makes sense. Unless he's not being serious, in which case you should disregard what I just said.

I'm just trying to think back at all the contexts I've seen it used and see if it worked...

-CF

=3

It's a kitty, used to signify happiness or cuteness, since cats are happy and cute. =3

Serious Smeag is serious.

=3

(Seriously, a LOL and Wha...? for that pic.)

-CF

(Hey, how's that? Huh?)

Ostensibly, it's a cat

 

Cats are cute

 

Therefore, it's an emoticon for "cute"

Dogs are cuter.

But yeah it's a kitten.

Ostensibly, it's a cat

 

Cats are cute

 

Therefore, it's an emoticon for "cute"

Dogs are cuter.

 

But yeah it's a kitten.

No, Facehuggers are cuter.

Only if it's Lamarr.

Ostensibly, it's a cat

 

Cats are cute

 

Therefore, it's an emoticon for "cute"

Dogs are cuter.

 

But yeah it's a kitten.

No, Facehuggers are cuter.

Only if it's Lamarr.

*facepalm* I said facehuggers, not headcrabs.

You mean like an Iratus Bug? Because those are not cute.

*shivers*

-CF

Edit for clarification:

I am the most serious person ever.

In before the inevitable.

Also, expressing happiness.

I always thought it was supposed to be an anime kittyface.

Like this:

It's supposed to signify cuteness or innocence.

Although personally, I can't help but think of it as a swollen nose.

Turakii

I think it's a mysterious guy with a curvy mustache. Or if you look at it the other direction, it could be a guy with a cook's hat...

...

What's with the cats?

I am the most serious person ever.

Why so serious?

---

Anyway, I suspect someone used the =3 smiley a few times to mean happy (Why? I dunno), and people caught on without knowing its meaning.

Wanna know what's really cute?

THESE TWO PICTURES!

Kitty xenomorph

Owned!

~U_K~