Tangerine

Tangerine holds a unique position in traditional Chinese culture. Qu Yuan, in his poem 'Ju Song' (Ode to the Orange), praised the orange tree for its steadfast loyalty to its southern homeland, endowing the color with an unyielding character. This poetic tribute elevated the color from an everyday hue to a symbol of scholarly spirit.

Since the Han Dynasty, tangerine peel was used as a natural dye and medicine. 'Qi Min Yao Shu' records the process of dyeing silks with tangerine peel, yielding bright and durable colors. In folk weddings, tangerine-colored fabrics symbolized wishes for many children and blessings, as the word for tangerine is a homophone for luck.

During the Tang and Song dynasties, tangerine varieties were introduced from the south to the central plains, becoming tribute items for the imperial court. Court painters, in illustrated books like 'Ju Lu', mixed mineral pigments to achieve the tangerine color of fresh fruit flesh, depicting themes of harvest and abundance.

In Ming and Qing export porcelain, a tangerine glaze variant evolved from copper-red glazes, known as persimmon red or tangerine red. These orange-toned ceramics traveled via the Maritime Silk Road to Europe, influencing the color palettes of Dutch Delftware.

In modern China, the color tangerine is deeply linked with urban vitality. From the body colors of bike-sharing services to the brand logos of food delivery platforms, tangerine is chosen as a visual symbol of efficiency, speed, and friendly service, continuing the ancient implication of luck and accessibility.