Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|Toy shark produced by IKEA; internet meme}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox toy | name = Blåhaj | image = File:IKEA Blåhaj plush shark toys - regular and small variants - side and bottom views.png | caption = Small and large variants of Blåhaj, displayed from the bottom (above) and side (below) | alt = | type = Toy shark | inventor = | company = [[IKEA]] | country = Sweden | from = | to = | materials = [[Polyester]] | features = [[Soft toy]] | slogan = | website = https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/blahaj-soft-toy-shark-90373590/ }} '''Blåhaj''' (stylized '''BLÅHAJ''', {{IPA-sv|ˈbloːhaj}}, {{Literally|blue shark}}; colloquially [[Anglicisation of names|anglicised]] as {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|l|ɑː|h|ɑː|ʒ}}, {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|l|ɑː|h|ɑː}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|l|oʊ|h|aɪ}}) is a [[Stuffed toy|plush toy]] manufactured and sold by the Swedish company [[IKEA]]. Modeled after a [[blue shark]] and made of recycled [[polyester]], the toy has gained prominence on social media as a popular [[internet meme]], especially in the [[Transgender|transgender community]], and has also been used as a [[mascot]] by IKEA in some regions. ==Physical properties== Blåhaj is a {{convert|100|cm|in|frac=4|abbr=on}} long stuffed toy resembling a [[blue shark]] and stuffed with recycled [[polyester]]. It can be machine-washed at 40°C (104°F).<ref name="IKEAInfo" /> A small, {{convert|55|cm|in|frac=4|abbr=on}} long variant of the Blåhaj is also available.<ref name="IKEAInfoSmall" /> ==Production and distribution== In September 2021, [[Twitter]] accounts representing IKEA in [[Ireland]] and in [[Singapore]], in response to customers enquiring about the toy, claimed that Blåhaj would be discontinued in April 2022.<ref name="BIExtinct" /> Sources later confirmed that it had been out of stock or delisted from IKEA's stores in China, Taiwan, and Singapore.<ref name="BIChina" /> However, IKEA's USA Twitter account later stated that the toy would remain available for sale in the United States.<ref name="MothershipMeltdown" /><ref name="BIExtinct" /><ref name="IKEAUSAProduct" /> Later, IKEA's Media Relations team clarified that the plush would not be discontinued, but online shop and internal store listings in several countries were simply reflecting a supply chain issue.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} In early 2022, new Blåhaj plushes were found to have been made in Indonesia, indicating that they had switched suppliers during that period.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} ==In culture== [[File:Transgender Pride flag.svg|thumb|right|The [[transgender flag|transgender pride flag]], which has similar colors to the Blåhaj]] In 2018, Blåhaj grew to prominence as an internet meme,<ref name="BITikTok" /><ref name="MashableTwitter" /><ref name="MMMObsessed" /> with social media users posting humorous photos of it in their homes.<ref name="MothershipHuman" /> Around this time, Blåhaj began to be associated with the [[LGBT]] and particularly [[transgender]] communities, in part due to being colored similarly to the [[transgender flag]].<ref name="INTOTrans" /> IKEA was seen as acknowledging this phenomenon (despite not openly declaring such) when the company ran a series of ads in support of the [[2021 Swiss same-sex marriage referendum]] featuring the toy.<ref name="INTOTrans" /> Due to this association, Blåhaj has become commonly regarded as a symbol of the online transgender community.<ref name="INTOTrans" /> The toy has continued to inspire memes and social media posts on [[Instagram]], [[Twitter]], [[Reddit]],<ref>{{cite web |title=The sub for the best shark |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/BLAHAJ/ |publisher=Reddit |access-date=5 December 2022 |date=2 February 2018}}</ref> and [[TikTok]],<ref name="BITikTok" /><ref name="TSSCommunity" /> and is a popular product in numerous territories.<ref name="BFNRussia" /><ref name="DevonVanishes" /> Blåhaj also made a brief appearance in the [[Marvel Studios]]-produced television series [[Hawkeye (2021 TV series)|''Hawkeye'']].<ref name="TSSCommunity" /> In response to the announcement that the sale of Blåhaj would be discontinued in certain regions, the term "Blåhaj" [[Twitter trends|trended]] as a topic on social media for several days as fans of the toy claimed it was becoming "extinct".<ref name="MothershipMeltdown" /><ref name="BIExtinct" /><ref name="BIChina" /> Similarly, the toy was also displayed at some IKEA stores in [[Hong Kong]] to demonstrate the functionality of [[Vacuum packing|vacuum bags]] in a store display, which elicited a similar social media response.<ref name="MothershipVacuum" /> In response to the toy's popularity, IKEA has produced a line of Blåhaj shopping bags which are sold at its stores in some regions, including Taiwan and Malaysia.<ref name="IKEACNBags" /><ref name="IKEAEcoBag" /> IKEA has also used Blåhaj in marketing material; IKEA Japan used the toy as a mascot in a marketing campaign for tiny apartments sold by IKEA in the region. In the campaign, a Blåhaj plays a [[real estate agent]] who envisions a tiny apartment.<ref name="CNNTinyHomes" /><ref>{{cite web |author=Amy Houston|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2021/11/29/ad-the-day-ikea-s-bl-haj-shark-comes-life-sell-tiny-apartments-tokyo |title=Ad of the Day: Ikea’s Blåhaj shark comes to life to sell tiny apartments in Tokyo |website=The Drum.com|date=2021-11-29|access-date=2022-12-30}}</ref> IKEA of Malaysia and Taiwan sold red-bean and sesame filled buns resembling Blåhaj.<ref name="MothershipBuns" /><ref name="TSDBun" /> IKEA Hong Kong featured Blåhaj as part of an advertising campaign for its Tsim Sha Tsui branch, punning the location as "Tsim Shark Tsui".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ong-Wood |first=Ivy |date=11 August 2022 |title=Shop with the sharks |work=[[The Standard (Hong Kong)]] |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/fc/11/244517/Shop-with-the-sharks |access-date=26 August 2022}}</ref> In November 2022, IKEA Canada hosted a giveaway offering transgender people a special edition Blåhaj in the colors of the transgender pride flag, and with their name embroidered on their fin.<ref>{{Cite web|last=North|first=Nick |title=TLDR: @ikeacanada wants to give trans folks BLÅHAJ, tag and share!&nbsp;..." |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CkhBltmvc5m/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Instagram |language=en|date=3 November 2022}}</ref> One of these was gifted to a [[sexual health clinic|sexual health centre]] in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glassman |first=Julia |date=2023-01-18 |title=IKEA Canada Releases Blåhaj Shark in Trans Colors |url=https://www.themarysue.com/ikea-canada-made-an-actual-blahaj-shark-in-trans-colors/ |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en}}</ref> == References == {{reflist|refs= <ref name="BFNRussia">{{Cite web |author1=Victor Stepanov |author2=Rachael Krishna |title=Russians Are Obsessed With These Big Plush Ikea Sharks |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/krishrach/russia-ikea-shark |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=BuzzFeed News |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718192453/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/krishrach/russia-ikea-shark |url-status=live|date=29 October 2018}}</ref> <ref name="BIChina">{{Cite web |last=Teh |first=Cheryl |title=Ikea is discontinuing a blue shark stuffed animal – it sent Chinese social media into total meltdown |url=https://www.businessinsider.co.za/ikeas-discontinue-blahaj-shark-sent-chinese-social-media-into-meltdown-2021-10 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=Businessinsider |language=en-US |archive-date=31 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731140936/https://www.businessinsider.co.za/ikeas-discontinue-blahaj-shark-sent-chinese-social-media-into-meltdown-2021-10 |url-status=live|date=4 October 2021}}</ref> <ref name="BIExtinct">{{Cite web |date=7 October 2021 |title=Is Blahaj the shark plushie really 'going extinct'? Ikea Singapore says otherwise |url=https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/blahaj-shark-plushie-really-going-extinct-ikea-singapore-says-otherwise |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=AsiaOne |language=en |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703050505/https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/blahaj-shark-plushie-really-going-extinct-ikea-singapore-says-otherwise |url-status=live|author=Melissa Teo}}</ref> <ref name="BITikTok">{{Cite web |last=Samson |first=Anna |title=A toy shark from IKEA has blown up on TikTok as creators say it provides them with a unique kind of comfort and community |url=https://www.insider.com/ikea-blahaj-shark-toy-tiktok-viral-videos-2022-3 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810140933/https://www.insider.com/ikea-blahaj-shark-toy-tiktok-viral-videos-2022-3 |url-status=live|date=23 March 2022}}</ref> <ref name="CNNTinyHomes">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/25/business/ikea-japan-tokyo-tiny-apartment-scli-intl/index.html |title=Ikea is offering a tiny apartment in Tokyo for less than $1 per month |date=25 November 2021 |last1=Guy |first1=Jack |last2=Ogura |first2=Junka |work=CNN |access-date=20 August 2022}}</ref> <ref name="DevonVanishes">{{Cite web |last=Wyllie |first=Ami |date=17 December 2021 |title=Wildly popular IKEA shark vanishes from shelves |url=https://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/shopping/ikea-shark-blhaj-listed-333-6368155 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=DevonLive |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718192350/https://www.devonlive.com/whats-on/shopping/ikea-shark-blhaj-listed-333-6368155 |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="IKEACNBags">{{Cite web |title=RUMPLING – 環保購物袋, 藍色/鯊魚 |url=https://www.ikea.com.tw/zh/products/sorting-solutions/sorting-bags/rumpling-art-50511683 |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=IKEA 線上購物 |language=zh}}</ref> <ref name="IKEAEcoBag">{{Cite web |last=Ang |first=Hui Yi |date=18 October 2021 |title=IKEA launches the new BLÅHAJ Shark Eco Bag! Extra large capacity and durable for only RM8.90! |url=https://lehleo.com/ikea-launches-the-new-blahaj-shark-eco-bag-extra-large-capacity-and-durable-for-only-rm8-90/ |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=Leh Leo Radio News |language=en-US |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810141024/https://lehleo.com/ikea-launches-the-new-blahaj-shark-eco-bag-extra-large-capacity-and-durable-for-only-rm8-90/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="IKEAInfo">{{Cite web |title=BLÅHAJ Soft toy, shark, 39 ¼" |url=https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/blahaj-soft-toy-shark-90373590/ |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=IKEA |language=en-US |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718192456/https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/blahaj-soft-toy-shark-90373590/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="IKEAInfoSmall">{{cite web |title=BLÅHAJ Soft toy, baby shark, 21 ¾" |url=https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/blahaj-soft-toy-baby-shark-70540665/ |website=IKEA |access-date=12 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903202953/https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/blahaj-soft-toy-baby-shark-70540665/ |archive-date=3 September 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="IKEAUSAProduct">{{Cite web |title=Hi Melody! Thanks for reaching out. We appreciate your interest in our BLÅHAJ shark soft toy! IKEA USA doesn't have current plans to discontinue this product... |url=https://twitter.com/ikeausahelp/status/1442267214460108800 |access-date=20 July 2022 |website=[[Twitter]] |language=en |archive-date=20 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720095529/https://twitter.com/ikeausahelp/status/1442267214460108800 |url-status=live|date=27 September 2021}}</ref> <ref name="INTOTrans">{{Cite web |last=Milner |first=Roz |title=How a Stuffed IKEA Shark Became a Trans Icon |url=https://www.intomore.com/the-internet/stuffed-ikea-shark-became-trans-icon/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202032848/https://www.intomore.com/the-internet/stuffed-ikea-shark-became-trans-icon/ |archive-date=2 February 2022 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=INTO |language=en-US|date=1 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="MashableTwitter">{{Cite web |last=Yap |first=Mae Yen |date=20 January 2020 |title=Someone created a Twitter account of the IKEA shark going about life and it's adorable |url=https://sea.mashable.com/culture/8683/someone-created-a-twitter-account-of-the-ikea-shark-going-about-life-and-its-adorable |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=[[Mashable]] SEA |language=en-sg |archive-date=30 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030172418/https://sea.mashable.com/culture/8683/someone-created-a-twitter-account-of-the-ikea-shark-going-about-life-and-its-adorable |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref name="MMMObsessed">{{Cite web |date=26 October 2018 |title=People Around the World Are Obsessed With This Plush Shark from IKEA |url=https://mymodernmet.com/toy-shark-blaha-ikea/ |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=My Modern Met |language=en |archive-date=19 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719035620/https://mymodernmet.com/toy-shark-blaha-ikea/ |url-status=live|author=Emma Taggart}}</ref> <ref name="MothershipBuns">{{Cite web |title=Ikea Taiwan selling adorable shark buns with black sesame filling at S$1.69 each |url=https://mothership.sg/2021/07/ikea-taiwan-shark-buns/ |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=[[Mothership (website)|mothership.sg]] |language=en |archive-date=19 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719050929/https://mothership.sg/2021/07/ikea-taiwan-shark-buns/ |url-status=live|date=14 July 2021|author=Karen Lui}}</ref> <ref name="MothershipHuman">{{Cite web |title=People are rearranging IKEA Shark plushies to make them do human things |url=https://mothership.sg/2019/12/ikea-shark-plushies-human/ |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=mothership.sg |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718192454/https://mothership.sg/2019/12/ikea-shark-plushies-human/ |url-status=live|date=4 December 2019|author=Kayla Wong}}</ref> <ref name="MothershipMeltdown">{{Cite web |title=Social media users everywhere shookt at news of IKEA shark plushie being discontinued |url=https://mothership.sg/2021/10/ikea-shark-plushie-meltdown/ |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=mothership.sg |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718192453/https://mothership.sg/2021/10/ikea-shark-plushie-meltdown/ |url-status=live|author=Lean Jinghui|date=6 October 2021}}</ref> <ref name="MothershipVacuum">{{Cite web |title=IKEA's shark plushie tragically flattened to demonstrate usefulness of vacuum bags |url=https://mothership.sg/2022/01/ikeas-blahaj-vacuum-bags/ |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=mothership.sg |language=en |archive-date=19 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719035547/https://mothership.sg/2022/01/ikeas-blahaj-vacuum-bags/ |url-status=live |author=Mandy How|date=31 January 2022}}</ref> <ref name="TSDBun">{{Cite web |last=Chelvi |first=S. Tamarai |title=IKEA's cute shark bun nibbles at our hearts |url=https://www.thesundaily.my/style-life/going-viral/ikea-s-cute-shark-bun-nibbles-at-our-hearts-JX9312319 |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=[[The Sun (Malaysia)|thesundaily.my]] |language=en-MY |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615025348/https://www.thesundaily.my/style-life/going-viral/ikea-s-cute-shark-bun-nibbles-at-our-hearts-JX9312319 |url-status=live|date=13 June 2022}}</ref> <ref name="TSSCommunity">{{Cite web |last=Nuckolls |first=Bethany |title=An Unlikely Community |url=https://www.thesmartset.com/an-unlikely-community/ |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=[[The Smart Set]] |language=en-US |archive-date=19 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719050929/https://www.thesmartset.com/an-unlikely-community/ |url-status=live|date=20 January 2022}}</ref> }} == External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/subcultures/ikea-blahaj-shark IKEA Blåhaj Shark] entry on [[Know Your Meme]] {{IKEA}} [[Category:2010s toys]] [[Category:Fictional sharks]] [[Category:IKEA products]] [[Category:Internet memes introduced in 2018]] [[Category:Stuffed toys]] [[Category:Toy animals]] [[Category:Transgender culture]]'