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Inspiration in the color cardinal.

Learn the history and meaning of the color cardinal red, a bold hue hanging in the space between rubies and wine.

Design with cardinal

Cardinal

#C41E3A

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Cardinal red elsewhere in nature.

The color cardinal red is found elsewhere in nature, too. Ripe tomatoes and ripe strawberries both sport this vibrant tone. In the warm spectrum of autumn leaves, cardinal red is a rare but favorite color. Cranberries and red zinnias attract us with cardinal red color, too. The lily leaf beetle is another example of the color cardinal red in the animal kingdom.

How the North American cardinal gets its red plumage.

Among songbirds, the color cardinal red is nothing short of stunning. The vivid red plumage has been a source of scientific curiosity to uncover where that cardinal red comes from. Scientists found that a chemical called carotenoids are what give the songbird its hue. This is the same chemical pigment found in ripe tomatoes and autumn leaves.

The psychology of cardinal red.

Cardinal red is, at its core, a vibrant red, and red has a double-edge meaning. On one side, it represents passion and love. On the other, it’s associated with aggression. Cardinal red color is intense. This energy can stir strong reactions. The color cardinal red is also one of the fastest colors to draw the human eye, meaning it demands attention in any palette.

Combine cardinal red with other colors.

The complementary color of cardinal red is a cool, minty hue that falls between turquoise and Tiffany blue. The two together cast a look of contemporaneity. The color cardinal can also be paired with shimmery gold for a bold, chic look. To isolate the intensity of cardinal red and temper it, set the color in a palette of warm, pale neutrals like off-white or ivory.

Information about cardinal red color.

The cardinal red HEX code picker is #C41E3A. This is the bold and vivid shade of red that matches the plumage of the songbird.

Cardinal red color can be achieved in an RGB space with 196 red, 30 green, and 58 blue. Cardinal can be achieved in a CMYK color space with 0% cyan, 85% magenta, 70% yellow, and 23% black.

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What is the meaning of the color cardinal red?

Cardinal red is vivid and richly saturated. This crimson hue impresses instantly with powerful allure. The name was inspired by the red robes of Catholic cardinals, but later the color cardinal took on its own profile and meaning.

Cardinal is a balanced, bright red that teeters on the edge of the dark red subspectrum, which adds to its innate intensity.

Design with cardinal