In Pidgin 2.7.9 I have a similar problem: if the "Default-with-Skype" emoticon theme is selected, only some emoticons appear as a rectangle containing a cross. I think this issue has been partially fixed. I attach a snapshot.
** Changed in: pidgin (Ubuntu) Status: New => Confirmed -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/653797 Title: Default-with-Skype emoticon theme broken -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs