True Vermilion

Pure vermilion color, a mineral pigment; the warm red used in Nara period murals

HEX#C94A38

RGBrgb(201, 74, 56)

HSLhsl(7, 57%, 50%)

HSVhsv(7, 72%, 79%)

CMYKcmyk(0%, 63%, 72%, 21%)

HEXA#C94A38FF

RGBArgba(201, 74, 56, 1)

HSLAhsla(7, 57%, 50%, 1)

OKLCHoklch(74.2%, 0.104, 33)

LCHlch(68.8%, 29.5, 40)

🎨 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 4.6:1AA

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

Aa14px Body

Standard Text

#FDFBF7Ratio 4.5:1AA

Suitable for regular body content, meeting WCAG AA standards

Aa14px Body

Large Text / UI Components

#CAD66BRatio 3:1AA Large

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

Aa14px Body

Decorative / Dividers

#37C848Ratio 2.1:1Fail

Suitable for decorative elements, dividers, non-essential text

📊 Color Scales

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

#501D16

#782B21

#A0392C

#C84837

#D36C5F

#DE9187

#E9B6AF

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

#A2655D

#AF5B50

#BB5244

#C84837

#D53E2A

#E2341D

#EE2A11

Lightness + Saturation Mixed VariationSimultaneous lightness and saturation adjustment

#572E28

#783830

#9C4135

#C24838

#D45E4E

#E2786A

#EC9488

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

#C8374A

#C8373E

#C83C37

#C84837

#C85437

#C86037

#C86C37

💡 Use Cases

🏯

Ancient Tomb Murals

The true vermilion murals of the Takamatsuzuka and Kitora tombs are national treasure-level artifacts, the opening chapters of Japanese archaeology and art history.

⛩️

Shrine Architecture

The true vermilion red of the Itsukushima Shrine's Great Torii shines against the sea and sky. Approaching the torii at low tide, the red stirs the soul.

🖼️

Buddhist Painting

True vermilion pigment is used to paint the robes and halos of Buddha images. The crystals of the mineral pigment sparkle before the Buddha—sacred and magnificent.

🔨

Cultural Heritage Restoration

Restoration artisans mix true vermilion paint using ancient methods, stroke by stroke recreating the red of a thousand years ago. It is the ultimate in craftsmanship.

📜 Origin & History

True vermilion is Japan's oldest red pigment, made by grinding cinnabar ore. The murals of the Takamatsuzuka Tomb from the Nara period, depicting the Four Guardian Spirits and human figures, were painted with true vermilion; the colors remain vivid after more than a thousand years.

The Shōsōin Repository preserves a vast collection of true vermilion pigments and textiles from the Nara period. Among the cherished items of Emperor Shōmu, objects in true vermilion hold a significant place. True vermilion was a sacred color of Buddhism and the imperial court.

During the Heian period, true vermilion was widely used in Buddhist paintings and shrine architecture. Remnants of murals in Byōdō-in's Phoenix Hall reveal the warm red of true vermilion. The mineral's luster gives religious spaces a sense of sanctity.

Many shrine torii gates in Japan are painted vermilion. The Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine, standing in the sea, is painted in a true vermilion tone, forming a breathtaking contrast with the blue sky and sea.

Modern true vermilion has been designated an important color in Japanese cultural heritage preservation. Restoration of ancient buildings must use traditionally formulated true vermilion pigments to maintain historical authenticity.

🧠 Color Psychology

Sacred and SolemnTrue vermilion is the common sacred color of Shinto and Buddhism. In the mineral's glimmering shine, it feels as though the divine resides within, inspiring awe.

Historical WeightThe true vermilion of Nara period murals has traversed millennia. This red is the starting point of Japanese civilization, the foundational color of national memory.

Warm and InclusiveThe warm red of true vermilion is not scorching or glaring. Like a warm winter sun enveloping the body, it is the warm embrace of the deities in a shrine.

Spirit of the ArtisanTrue vermilion pigment must be ground by hand. Every grain of cinnabar powder carries the warmth of the artisan's palm; it is art condensed from time.

Nature WorshipTrue vermilion comes from ore deep within the earth, carrying the Japanese people's primal reverence and gratitude for natural landscapes.

Eternal GuardianshipTrue vermilion, unchanging for a millennium, is a color of eternity, guarding shrines and ancient tombs, safeguarding the soul of the nation.

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