Pinkish Red

In ancient China, pinkish red was called peach red or scarlet red, first appearing in the Book of Songs with 'Peach tree stands slender, its blossoms glowing bright,' using peach blossom hues as a metaphor for a maiden's beauty. During the Tang Dynasty, red makeup flourished among women, and pinkish red rouge became an essential item in the boudoir.

In Song Dynasty ceramics, a variant of celadon glaze appeared, not pure pink but pioneering light pink tones. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, pinkish red gradually became independent from the red color family, becoming the exclusive color for ladies' attire.

Qing Dynasty famille rose porcelain extensively used pink pigments, with gold red as the coloring agent, firing delicate glaze tones like peach red and pinkish red. Pink thus became a classic ceramic color and was also widely used in folk embroidery and New Year paintings.

During the Republican era, influenced by Western romanticism, pinkish red became a symbol of the new woman, appearing extensively in qipao dresses and cosmetics. After the founding of New China, it was once regarded as petty bourgeois sentiment and declined.

Since the 21st century, pinkish red has returned to the mainstream, from cherry blossom pink to millennial pink, reborn in fashion, design, and digital media, becoming a cultural symbol expressing gentleness and individuality.