Colour families
Thirteen families. Open one for its colours, its swatches and what it means around the world.
RedBlood, fire and festival: scarlet, crimson, vermilion, madder and the reds of brides and flags.116 coloursOrangeSaffron robes, marigolds and safety vests: the colour between red and yellow.43 coloursYellowTurmeric, gold-bright sun and imperial robes: ochre, chrome, Indian yellow and more.105 coloursGreenLeaves, emeralds and the colour of faith and envy: malachite, viridian, celadon.56 coloursTurquoise and cyanBetween green and blue: turquoise, teal, aqua and the tiles of Isfahan.16 coloursBlueLapis, indigo and the sea: ultramarine, cobalt, Prussian blue and the blues of denim and sky.99 coloursPurple and violetTyrian dye, mauve and royal robes: the rarest colour in nature and the costliest in history.62 coloursPink and magentaRose, fuchsia, gulal and cherry blossom: from Jaipur walls to hot pink.38 coloursBrownEarth itself: umber, sienna, sepia, khaki and the browns of wood, hide and soil.81 coloursWhitePurity in one country, mourning in another: chalk, lead white, ivory and pearl.28 coloursGreyAsh, slate and silver cloud: the neutral between black and white.22 coloursBlackSoot, ink and night: lamp black, ebony, kohl and the black of robes and mourning.25 coloursGold and metallicsGold, silver, bronze and copper: colours that are also metals, wealth and gods.7 colours