Madder Red

Dark red dyed from madder root, carrying a botanical scent; also the color of twilight sky called 'Akane Sora'

HEX#B13544

RGBrgb(177, 53, 68)

HSLhsl(353, 54%, 45%)

HSVhsv(353, 70%, 69%)

CMYKcmyk(0%, 70%, 62%, 31%)

HEXA#B13544FF

RGBArgba(177, 53, 68, 1)

HSLAhsla(353, 54%, 45%, 1)

OKLCHoklch(69.5%, 0.114, 10)

LCHlch(63%, 30.9, 7)

🎨 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

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Aa14px Body

High Contrast Text

#FFFFFFRatio 6.1:1AA

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

Aa14px Body

Standard Text

#F0DACCRatio 4.5:1AA

Suitable for regular body content, meeting WCAG AA standards

Aa14px Body

Large Text / UI Components

#C7B743Ratio 3:1AA Large

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

Aa14px Body

Decorative / Dividers

#43B135Ratio 2.2:1Fail

Suitable for decorative elements, dividers, non-essential text

📊 Color Scales

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Lightness VariationFixed hue and saturation, stepwise lightness adjustment ±30%

#3B1216

#621D25

#892934

#B13543

#CA4E5D

#D67681

#E29DA5

Saturation VariationFixed hue and lightness, stepwise saturation adjustment ±30%

#8E575E

#9A4C55

#A5404C

#B13543

#BC293A

#C81E32

#D31229

Lightness + Saturation Mixed VariationSimultaneous lightness and saturation adjustment

#442226

#642B32

#86323B

#AB3643

#CC3E4E

#DA5867

#E77482

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

#B13562

#B13558

#B1354E

#B13543

#B13539

#B13B35

#B14535

💡 Use Cases

🧣

Botanical Dyed Scarves

Silk scarves dyed with madder have a warm, smooth color; each is unique. They are the top accessory choice for those pursuing a natural lifestyle.

🖼️

Japanese Style Home

Madder red cushions and bedding create a gentle bedroom atmosphere like twilight. Paired with solid wood furniture, they interpret the aesthetics of wabi-sabi.

📸

Twilight Photography

'Akane Sora' is a photographer's favorite weather. Photos filtered with a madder red tone come with an inherent atmospheric feel—romantic and melancholic.

🍵

Japanese Tableware

Madder red glazed ceramic bowls and cups warm the hands when held. Food looks more appetizing served in them; they are the finishing touch on a Japanese-style dining table.

📜 Origin & History

Madder red is one of the oldest plant dyes. Madder roots contain alizarin, and when combined with an alum mordant, a fast red color is obtained. The Chinese mastered madder dyeing technology as early as the Neolithic Age.

During the Han Dynasty, madder cultivation was scaled up, and madder-colored fabrics became widespread among the common people. The 'Records of the Grand Historian' notes that planting thousands of acres of madder could make one as wealthy as a noble with a thousand households.

Japan introduced madder from China during the Asuka period; madder red became the oldest red dye in Japan. The Japanese word for madder is 'akane,' which also became a beautiful female name.

In the Heian period, madder red was widely used in the layered color combinations of twelve-layer court robes ('jūnihitoe'). The subtle color gradation from overlapping madder red and purple was exquisite. Madder red also became a dedicated word in Japanese poetry ('waka') for the twilight sky: 'Akane Sora'.

Modern madder dyeing nearly disappeared due to the impact of synthetic dyes, but recent years have seen a revival of natural dyeing. Madder red, as a symbol of environmentalism and craftsmanship, is once again favored by designers.

🧠 Color Psychology

Ancient and NaturalMadder red has the simple scent of plant dyes; unlike harsh chemical reds, it reveals a warm feeling of symbiosis with nature.

Twilight Melancholy'Akane Sora' means twilight sky. Madder red evokes a subtle sorrow for the end of the day and a lament for the passage of time.

Resilient GentlenessMadder roots are deeply embedded in the soil; madder red is gentle yet resilient. Beneath a soft exterior lies an indomitable life force.

Handcrafted WarmthEvery piece of madder-dyed cloth is unique; traces of handwork give the color a soul and a story.

Nostalgic HomesicknessMadder red carries memories of ancient life. Seeing this botanical red stirs longing for pastoral hometowns.

Zen-like SerenityMadder red does not compete or demand attention. It blooms in silence, fitting the Eastern aesthetic principle of 'less is more' and Zen minimalism.

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