Coquelicot
A vivid reddish-orange named after the wild corn poppy flower
Coquelicot is a bright shade of red with a strong orange tint, named after the French word for the wild corn poppy. The colour entered English in 1795, inspired by the striking hue of Papaver rhoeas petals, and is known for its use in art, such as Monet’s poppy paintings.
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- Named after the French word for wild corn poppy
- First used as a colour name in English in 1795
- A vivid reddish-orange shade
- Featured in paintings by Claude Monet and Robert Vonnoh
What colour is Coquelicot?
Coquelicot is a lively, vivid shade that sits between red and orange. It is best recognised as the colour of the wild corn poppy flower, which stands out for its intense reddish-orange petals. This shade is brighter and more orange than many other reds, making it easily distinguishable from deeper or bluer reds.
Where does Coquelicot come from?
The name 'coquelicot' comes from French, where it means the wild corn poppy, Papaver rhoeas. The flower is known for its brilliant red petals tinged with orange. The colour term was adopted into English in 1795, directly referencing the flower’s distinctive hue.
Where Coquelicot is used
Coquelicot is most often seen in art, where painters have used it to capture the vividness of poppy fields. Notably, Claude Monet painted 'Les Coquelicots' in 1873, and Robert Vonnoh also created works featuring this colour. Its brightness makes it a popular choice for depicting flowers and lively landscapes.
Red around the world
What the red family means from country to country.
The flag uses the four Pan-Arab colours: a red bar at the hoist with green, white and black bands. It was designed by a young Emirati, Abdullah Al Maainah, in 1971.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of the United Arab EmiratesThe flag is a black double-headed eagle on red, the banner of the fifteenth-century hero Skanderbeg. Fans chant Kuq e Zi, red and black.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of AlbaniaArmenian scribes painted manuscripts with vordan karmir, a crimson dye made from an insect that lives on the roots of grasses in the Ararat plain.
Sacred and holySource: Armenian cochinealUnder Juan Manuel de Rosas in the 1830s and 1840s, everyone had to wear a scarlet ribbon to show loyalty to his Federalist party. His enemies, the Unitarians, were tied to sky blue.
Politics and protestFearSource: Juan Manuel de RosasThe flag is red, white and red. Legend says Duke Leopold V's white tunic was soaked in blood at the siege of Acre, all but the band under his belt.
Politics and protestCourageSource: Flag of AustriaRed ochre is used in Aboriginal rock art and ceremony, and is traded over long distances. In the Aboriginal flag the red half stands for the earth and for that ochre.
Sacred and holyNature and renewalAweSource: Australian Aboriginal flagShades and relatives of Coquelicot
Coquelicot is a specific reddish-orange, distinct from pure red or orange. It is sometimes confused with other poppy-inspired reds, but its strong orange tint sets it apart. The colour is described as 'vivid reddish orange' in standard references.
Colours that go with Coquelicot
Harmonies are worked out from the value #FF3800. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Coquelicot
What colour is coquelicot?
Coquelicot is a bright, vivid shade of red with a strong orange tint, matching the wild corn poppy flower.
Where does the name coquelicot come from?
The name comes from the French word for the wild corn poppy, Papaver rhoeas, known for its striking red-orange petals.
When was coquelicot first used as a colour name in English?
The first recorded use of coquelicot as a colour name in English was in 1795.
Is coquelicot used in art?
Yes, artists such as Claude Monet and Robert Vonnoh have used coquelicot to depict poppy fields and flowers.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Coquelicot", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Rang rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. The swatch is an approximation: named colours are not fixed standards, and every screen shows them a little differently. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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