Hamster memes have become a cornerstone of internet culture, ranging from the classic 'Hampter' to the viral 'Sad Hamster' often paired with the 'Woe is Me' violin track. These memes typically utilize the adorable, often bewildered or bug-eyed expressions of hamsters to represent feelings of overwhelming sadness, social anxiety, or pure existential dread. The 'Staring Hamster' originally gained fame for its intense, close-up gaze on a webcam, while the more recent TikTok 'Sad Hamster' trend uses visual filters to emphasize vulnerability. These templates are widely used to react to minor inconveniences or relatable life struggles where one feels small, helpless, and cute yet tragic against the world.