To most people, it’s a simple shark toy. But to trans people, IKEA’s Blåhaj is a symbol and signifier of the transgender community.

The polyester plushie, which is available online or in store for £22 ($28), has been a symbol of trans rights since about 2017. Its significance started on Tumblr, when users across the social media site began sharing memes of the iconic furry shark.

Initially, the memes were of the shark doing various things, or being in odd places, but as the number of them grew, more and more they began to be associated with transgender people.

The memes migrated on to other social media sites and began to dominate image search results when looking up Blåhaj.

Since then, it has essentially become the mascot for trans rights and a signifier of support for the transgender community. Even branches of IKEA have got in on the act, including one that recently paired a trans flag with a bedroom scene that featured the iconic shark.

oh so they know. pic.twitter.com/8F6rbPltSF

— anna !!!

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