Turmeric Color

A deep, warm gold dyed from turmeric root, a precious dye color

HEX#E49B2E

RGBrgb(228, 155, 46)

HSLhsl(36, 77%, 54%)

HSVhsv(36, 80%, 89%)

CMYKcmyk(0%, 32%, 80%, 11%)

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RGBArgba(228, 155, 46, 1)

HSLAhsla(36, 77%, 54%, 1)

OKLCHoklch(86.2%, 0.114, 86)

LCHlch(83.9%, 44.5, 96)

🎨 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

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High Contrast Text

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

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Standard Text

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Suitable for regular body content, meeting WCAG AA standards

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Large Text / UI Components

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

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Decorative / Dividers

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Suitable for decorative elements, dividers, non-essential text

📊 Color Scales

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

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

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#CD9747

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Lightness + Saturation Mixed VariationSimultaneous lightness and saturation adjustment

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

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💡 Use Cases

👘

Classical Kimono Dyeing

The high-class background color of Kyo-yuzen. Turmeric Color endows kimono with the nobility and warmth of a thousand-year-old aristocratic tradition.

🍵

Famous Tea Ceremony Utensils

The dye for tea caddy shifuku and fukusa cloths. In the tea setting, Turmeric Color quietly conveys the profound meaning of wabi-sabi.

🏮

High-Class Ryotei Spaces

The color for entrance curtains (noren) and seat cushions in exclusive Japanese restaurants. Turmeric Color creates an intimate and warmly hospitable atmosphere.

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Traditional Craft Gift Boxes

The packaging for Kanazawa gold leaf and Kyoto lacquerware. Turmeric Color wraps up the sincere delivery of the artisan's heart.

📜 Origin & History

Turmeric Color uses turmeric root as a dye. It was introduced to Japan from China during the Heian period. Turmeric is a ginger plant whose rhizome contains a rich yellow pigment. The dyed color is deeply warm with an aromatic scent. The Imperial Court classified it as a kinjiki (forbidden color), allowing only high-ranking individuals to wear it.

In the mid-Heian period, Turmeric Color was used for dyeing aristocratic men's formal robes. In The Tale of Genji, the protagonist Hikaru Genji's noshi robes are frequently described as Turmeric Color. This color became the hallmark of the ideal nobleman—elegant and noble.

During the Kamakura period, restrictions on Turmeric Color loosened slightly. High-ranking samurai began using it for their kariginu robes. Concurrently, Buddhist temples used Turmeric Color to dye kesa robes and banners. Its warm, profound tone complemented the solemn atmosphere before the Buddha perfectly.

As the tea ceremony flourished in the Muromachi period, Turmeric Color was used for the silk wrapping bags (shifuku) and pouches protecting precious tea caddies. The tea caddies cherished by Sen no Rikyu were often stored in Turmeric Color silk bags. The gold's warmth created a subtle yet profound tension with the dry, austere nature of wabi-sabi.

In the Edo period, with the popularization of dyeing techniques, Turmeric Color entered commoner life. Kimono patterns using Turmeric Color as a background, like Kyo-yuzen and Kaga-yuzen, became very popular. Paired with indigo dye, it formed the classic blue-and-gold contrast. It remains an important color in kimono dyeing even today.

🧠 Color Psychology

Gentle EmbraceDeep and warm like a winter hearth, Turmeric Color conveys a sense of unconditional acceptance and generous tolerance.

Refined NobilityThis color is a symbol of Heian aristocratic character, evoking respect for noble sentiments and elegant cultivation.

Historical DepthA thousand years of dyeing history are condensed in this color, triggering a profound appreciation of the long river of time and a sense of cultural pride.

Mature StabilityThe deep warm gold tone, like the fruit of life experience, imparts a sense of dependable reliability and trustworthiness.

Reclusive PeaceTurmeric Color is the quiet, warm hue found in a corner of the tea room, awakening a peaceful state of mind that seeks retreat from the world and looks inward.

Passing the TorchThis color of traditional craft evokes respect for the spirit of the artisan and a sense of mission to carry on cultural heritage.

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