What's With All The Memes About Having 'Aura'? From Van Dijk To TikTok, Here's 'Aura Points' Explained

The four letter word beginning with "A" has been a staple of internet soccer FC and NBA chatter for years now, but the frequency of jokes about having aura has risen to a fever pitch in recent weeks. FC Twitter has been obsessed with assigning aura to various charismatic soccer players since 2020, a trend likely kicked off by fans of Liverpool center-back Van Dijk all the way back in 2020.

But as memes about NBA and soccer stars embodying that "four letter word" spread online, jokes about having and maintaining one's aura began to get more creative. The running joke about gaining and losing aura points that has been making the rounds on TikTok since May 2024 is a classic example of how people think they can maintain the mystique required to have aura. Here's a recap of the word and a look into how it gained traction online.

Where Did Discussions About 'Aura' Originate?

While the term aura has existed in meme culture before the 2020s, it was discussions surrounding Liverpool defensive player Virgil van Dijk that kicked off the use of the term as a major compliment online.

A New York Times article from 2020 described Van Dijk saying, "he has an aura," while his fans on the internet shared memes about his sheer aura supplementing his skills during a game.

When Did People Start Using 'Aura' As A Compliment?

As more soccer and NBA fans began using the term "aura" to describe the vibes of their favorite players, other internet users remained confused about what Aura actually meant. One X user's question about aura was answered by a fan posting a video of Kanye West parting a crowd with a wave of his hand.

pic.twitter.com/6qeGas4vqt https://t.co/U2ik0nPj2L

— YM 🐻 (@YeMoments) May 30, 2023

In late 2023, "aura" came to be used to describe people outside of soccer communities, with some people using the phrase "four letter word beginning with A." In September 2023, X user @ibeastIess used the phrase to describe a wrestler.

What Are 'Aura Points' And How Do You Gain Or Lose Them?

In 2024, teens on TikTok began a campaign to quantify the unquantifiable, making videos about how certain actions can help you gain, lose, or maintain your "aura points." This running gag took the form of passing or failing various petty social trials; your stomach rumbling loudly in class cost you points, as did walking around with your backpack unzipped.

For the full history of Aura, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.