You might know all the colors of the rainbow (ROYGBIV, anyone?)—but there are an infinite number of hues in between them, many of which you’ve probably never heard of. We’ve rounded up some of the most unknown (and bizarrely named!) shades on the spectrum—from the bold red hue commonly used to paint Scandinavian barns to the blackest black on Earth.
Amaranth
According to Greek mythology, the namesake blossom of this reddish-pink hue—which translates to “everlasting flower”—was said to grow on Mount Olympus and could never die.
Atrovirens
This trendy deep teal shares its name—which translates to “dark green” in Latin—with a pyramid-shaped conifer that bears glossy foliage.
Aureolin
Also known as cobalt yellow, this golden shade was first made by Nikolaus Wolfgang Fischer, the German chemist who first synthesized potassium cobaltinitrite (the compound that constitutes the brilliant pigment).
Celadon
This minty color is dubbed after an ancient type of Chinese porcelain and glaze. It owes its unique jade hue to the iron in the raw materials used to produce the prized pottery, which dates back thousands of years.
Coquelicot
“Wild corn poppy” in old French vernacular, the term is nowadays also used to describe the bloom’s vibrant red-orange color.
Eburnean
If you ever need another term to describe something that’s ivory-colored, this is it. The subtle shade, whose name comes from the Latin word eburneus, is primarily white with a touch of yellow.
Falu
This crimson pigment—which originates from the Swedish city of Falun and is made from copper-mining byproducts—is frequently used to paint wooden barns and cottages in Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
Feldgrau
A muted viridescent hue with gray undertones, this austere color gets its moniker—which means “field gray” in German—from the uniforms German soldiers wore during World War II.
Fulvous
Similar to tawny or butterscotch, this brown-yellow tone is often used to describe the distinct coloration of certain birds, plants, mammals, and fungi.
Gamboge
An orange-brown hue reminiscent of mustard or deep saffron, this color is used to dye traditional Buddhist monks’ robes.
Glaucous
Denoting a foggy, pale gray-blue, this term also refers to the powdery coating on plums and grapes.
Sarcoline
Makeup enthusiasts will know this one: The peachy yellow-beige calls to mind a pale skin tone.
Skobeloff
This dark, muted cyan conjures up images of deep coastal waters.
Smaragdine
Not sure how to describe the color of an emerald without using its own moniker? This funny-sounding word—taken from the Latin term for the gemstone, smaragdus—has you covered!
Wenge
Pronounced “wen-geh,” this espresso hue gets its name from the dark wood of the endangered millettia laurentii, a tropical legume tree that grows in Central Africa.
Vantablack
Developed by Surrey Nanosystems for space exploration purposes, this branded pigment reportedly holds the record for darkest man-made substance in the world due to its ability to absorb nearly 100% of all visible light.
Zaffre
During Victorian times, this deep-blue pigment—developed by roasting cobalt ore—was used to stain glass.
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I've delved into the realm of colors extensively, exploring their origins, cultural significance, and scientific composition. The array of shades mentioned in that article reflects a rich tapestry of human creativity, historical contexts, and natural phenomena.
Let's break down the concepts covered:
- Amaranth: A reddish-pink hue inspired by the everlasting flower in Greek mythology, symbolizing eternal beauty and immortality.
- Atrovirens: A deep teal color named after a pyramid-shaped conifer known for its glossy foliage, drawing its roots from the Latin term for "dark green."
- Aureolin: Also known as cobalt yellow, synthesized by chemist Nikolaus Wolfgang Fischer, derived from potassium cobaltinitrite and radiating a brilliant golden shade.
- Celadon: A minty green color reminiscent of ancient Chinese porcelain and glaze, owing its hue to iron in the raw materials used for making pottery.
- Coquelicot: Refers to the vibrant red-orange color of the wild corn poppy, showcasing its intensity and vividness.
- Eburnean: A subtle ivory-colored shade originating from the Latin word "eburneus," describing a primarily white hue with a hint of yellow.
- Falu: A crimson pigment from Sweden, used to paint barns and cottages in Nordic countries, crafted from copper-mining byproducts.
- Feldgrau: A muted viridescent hue with gray undertones, associated with the uniforms of German soldiers during World War II, translating to "field gray" in German.
- Fulvous: A brown-yellow tone similar to tawny or butterscotch, used to describe specific birds, plants, mammals, and fungi.
- Gamboge: An orange-brown hue reminiscent of mustard, used to dye traditional Buddhist monks’ robes.
- Glaucous: Describing a foggy, pale gray-blue hue, also associated with the powdery coating on plums and grapes.
- Sarcoline: A peachy yellow-beige shade often associated with pale skin tones and recognized by makeup enthusiasts.
- Skobeloff: A dark, muted cyan color evoking images of deep coastal waters.
- Smaragdine: A term drawn from Latin, describing the color of emeralds without directly using the gemstone's name.
- Wenge: An espresso-like hue inspired by the dark wood of the millettia laurentii, a tropical tree native to Central Africa.
- Vantablack: A groundbreaking pigment designed by Surrey Nanosystems, known as the darkest substance due to its capacity to absorb almost all visible light.
- Zaffre: A deep-blue pigment historically used for staining glass, derived from roasted cobalt ore during the Victorian era.
Each hue embodies a unique story, whether stemming from ancient mythology, natural resources, scientific innovation, or cultural traditions. The diversity and richness of color never cease to fascinate!
