The 'Jared Leto Hugging Things' meme originated from a photograph the actor posted to Instagram in 2014, showing him hugging a tree while wearing a bright green coat. The internet quickly took notice of his intense, affectionate expression and the vibrant outfit, leading to a massive wave of exploitable edits. Photoshops replaced the tree with everything from pizza and video game consoles to other celebrities and political figures. It serves as the ultimate visual metaphor for an intense obsession or a deep, unconditional love for something specific, often used to joke about new hobbies, consumer products, or niche interests.