Everything you need to know about the color Crimson | Hex Code, History, Meaning, symbolism

Crimson is a rich, deep red color, inclining to purple. It originally meant the color of the kermes dye produced from a scale insect, Kermes vermilio, but the name is now sometimes also used as a generic term for slightly bluish-red colors that are between red and rose. It is the national color of Nepal.

Crimson hex code: #DC143C

History of Crimson

Crimson is produced using the dried bodies of a scale insect, Kermes, which were gathered commercially in Mediterranean countries, where they live on the kermes oak and sold throughout Europe. Kermes dyes have been found in burial wrappings in Anglo-Scandinavian York. They fell out of use with the introduction of cochineal, also made from scale insects, because although the dyes were comparable in quality and color intensity, it needed ten to twelve times as much kermes to produce the same effect as cochineal.

Carmine is the name given to the dye made from the dried bodies of the female cochineal, although the name crimson is sometimes applied to these dyes too. Cochineal appears to have been brought to Europe during the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniard Hernán Cortés, and the name 'carmine' is derived from the French carmin. It was first described by Pietro Andrea Mattioli in 1549. The pigment is also called cochineal after the insect from which it is made.

Alizarin (PR83) is a pigment that was first synthesized in 1868 by the German chemist Carl Gräbe and Carl Liebermann and replaced the natural pigment madder lake. Alizarin crimson is a dye bonded onto alum which is then used as a pigment and mixed with ochre, sienna, and umber. It is not totally colorfast.

Meaning of Crimson

Ever since the role it played in the Elizabethan era, the color crimson and the meaning it carries has undergone tremendously different changes.

Sure, while the color remains widely considered a strong religious symbol, it has, nonetheless, managed to embrace fresh new meanings as societies and cultures have changed.

To date, since crimson comes as a deeper and more vibrant version of red, it is often regarded as a symbol for vigor, passion, and courage.

Since it also resembles the color of blood, it has also been taken as a representation for anger, revenge, ruthlessness, and even lust.

In certain points in history, crimson has also been named a symbol for mourning, as heightened by the depth and mystery the color suggests.

What Does Crimson Mean Symbolically?

Throughout the ages, colors have been used symbolically to represent an individual's status, intentions, or emotions. Crimson is a color which has been used with various symbolic meanings in different eras and societies. As an indication of social status, crimson was symbolically important in the Elizabethan Era in Britain, while the use of crimson flowers to convey meaning has continued from the 18th century to the present day.

Clothing
In Elizabethan-era England (the second half of the 16th century), crimson clothing signified an individual's status. Wearing the color crimson was legally regulated by the English Sumptuary Laws—only royalty, noble persons, and members of the Council were allowed to wear crimson during this time. Therefore, the color crimson symbolized high social standing and power in Elizabethan England.

Religion
In Elizabethan society, crimson also held a strong religious symbolism. Prominent church figures were depicted wearing crimson robes, and so the color of crimson held a strong association with the church itself. Symbolically, crimson was associated with power, importance, and specific religious meanings. The Biblical meaning of crimson is to symbolize the blood of martyrs or the presence of God. Crimson is also strongly associated with humility and atonement, and it is the liturgical color most strongly associated with Pentecost.

Language of Flowers
It is believed that the so-called "language of flowers"—in which certain flowers convey a particular meaning and therefore can be used in secret communication—originated in Turkey and became popular in Europe from the 18th century onwards. Under this old secret language, a crimson polyanthus represents "the heart's mystery," while a dark crimson rose represents mourning. The latter has prevailed into modern times—a dark crimson rose symbolizes mourning according to the contemporary language of flowers in use in North America.