Classic Carmine

Traditional carmine, classical red used for facial and lip makeup

HEX#960018

RGBrgb(150, 0, 24)

HSLhsl(350, 100%, 29%)

HSVhsv(350, 100%, 59%)

CMYKcmyk(0%, 100%, 84%, 41%)

HEXA#960018FF

RGBArgba(150, 0, 24, 1)

HSLAhsla(350, 100%, 29%, 1)

OKLCHoklch(53.7%, 0.215, 8)

LCHlch(43%, 65, 8)

🎨 Color Palettes

Analogous2-3 adjacent hues (≤60°)

Triadic3 hues spaced 120° apart

Split ComplementaryMain color + colors adjacent to its complement

Complementary2 hues spaced 180° apart

Tetradic (Rectangle)4 hues forming a rectangle

MonochromaticSingle hue with varying saturation and lightness

♿ WCAG Contrast Colors

Learn More →

Aa14px Body

High Contrast Text

#FFD6DDRatio 6.9:1AA

Suitable for body text, headings, and primary content, ensuring readability for all users

Aa14px Body

Standard Text

#FF9C6BRatio 4.4:1AA Large

Suitable for regular body content, meeting WCAG AA standards

Aa14px Body

Large Text / UI Components

#AD9100Ratio 3:1AA Large

Suitable for large text (≥18px bold or ≥24px), icons, UI component boundaries

Aa14px Body

Decorative / Dividers

#199400Ratio 2.3:1Fail

Suitable for decorative elements, dividers, non-essential text

📊 Color Scales

Online Color Picker → Gradient Generator →

Lightness VariationFixed hue and saturation, proportional lightness scaling 30%→100%

#2E0008

#3D000A

#4D000D

#610010

#700013

#850016

#940019

Saturation VariationFixed hue and lightness, proportional saturation scaling 40%→100%

#682C36

#6F2531

#761E2C

#7E1627

#850F23

#8D071E

#940019

Lightness + Saturation Mixed VariationSimultaneous lightness and saturation proportional scaling

#1E1012

#2B1216

#3B1219

#50111B

#630D1B

#7D081B

#940019

Hue Fine-TuningFixed saturation and lightness, stepwise hue fine-tuning ±15°

#94003E

#940031

#940025

#940019

#94000C

#940000

#940C00

💡 Use Cases

🏺

Imperial Ceramics

Monochrome glazed porcelain of Kangyongqian reigns, showcasing supreme craftsmanship and aesthetics of imperial kilns in Qing Dynasty.

👘

Neo-Chinese Cheongsam

Preferred shade for velvet and brocade cheongsams, highlighting oriental women’s gentle curves and fair skin.

💮

Ancient Makeup

Reproduced lipstick and blush shades to create classic retro oriental look with pale skin and dark hair.

📜

Cultural Creation & Stationery

Used for Chinese-style tape and letter paper design, adding weight and ritual sense to writing.

📜 Origin & History

Carmine originates from ancient Chinese cosmetics culture. The earliest rouge was introduced from the Western Regions, mainly made from safflower, named after Yanzhi Mountain. Xiongnu women first used it for makeup, then Zhang Qian brought it back to Central Plains during his diplomatic mission, quickly popularizing it among upper classes.

During Han and Tang dynasties, rouge became core of feminine makeup. Tang people valued red makeup highly; they not only applied rouge on faces but invented diverse eyebrow and lip painting techniques. Rouge-tinted paper such as Xue Tao paper also gained eternal fame.

Between Song and Ming dynasties, application of carmine expanded from cosmetics to ceramics. Jingdezhen craftsmen introduced gold-red pigments into overglaze enamel to produce stunning carmine-glazed porcelain. Since gold was mixed in glaze, it was also called gold red, extremely precious.

The Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns of Qing Dynasty witnessed technical peak of carmine glaze porcelain with even and delicate shades. Meanwhile, Dream of the Red Chamber repeatedly mentions rouge, showing the romantic charm of this color in Ming and Qing daily life.

In modern times, carmine is widely used in traditional New Year paintings, textiles and cheongsams, carrying classical oriental feminine beauty. As low-luminance red with patina of ages, it narrates thousands of years of gentleness and perseverance of Chinese women.

🧠 Color Psychology

Graceful & CharmingLike faint blush on made-up cheeks, conveying non-aggressive classical feminine tenderness and beauty.

Vintage Oriental CharmEmbedded with thousands of years of makeup and porcelain aesthetic memories, instantly transporting viewers to pavilions, poetry and paintings with subtle oriental narratives.

Exquisite & RefinedDemands precise control over purity and luminance, demonstrating meticulous attitude toward life and elegant rejection of crudeness and casualness.

Reserved & ModestThis red restrains all sharpness, like a noble lady confined in deep courtyards, quiet and uncompetitive yet with lasting appeal.

Subtle Lingering FragranceNot strong yet enduring like flower scent. It guides quiet appreciation and builds soothing, subtly attractive atmosphere with gentle distance.

Nostalgic MelancholyFiltered by old times, carmine easily triggers reminiscence of vanished prosperity, carrying slight sorrow of fading beauty and passing time.

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