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Redeem nowInspiration in the color salmon.
Learn the history and meaning of the color salmon, a symbol of health, hope, and fresh starts.
How to use the color salmon.
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The color salmon versus coral.
Salmon color is often compared with coral. Both are light pinks with hues of orange. The color salmon, however, is on the lighter side. The color salmon evokes feelings of rejuvenation, whereas coral invigorates.
Combine salmon with other colors.
Salmon is a warm color. Combined with other warm colors like pink or peach, the color salmon plays into a palette as inviting as a bright sorbet on a warm day. Pair salmon with white, cream, tan, or other neutrals to tone its energy down. Use the color salmon as a playful highlight.
Tap into the psychology of the color salmon.
Shades of pink — including the color salmon — stimulate energy. They are each formed with some amount of red, which is known to increase pulse and respiration rates. Salmon color encourages action. It takes the excitement of red and adds the confidence of orange.
The color salmon is muted, but not neutral.
Salmon color is considered a muted shade of pink. The tinge of orange mixed in, however, warms the color salmon substantially. Salmon color is not considered a neutral, but it is a subtle tone. Its warmth can brighten other colors around it.
Information about salmon color.
The salmon HEX code picker is #FA8072. This is the classic light pink with a tinge of orange.
The color salmon can be achieved in a RGB space with 250 red, 128 green, and 114 blue. Salmon color can be achieved in a CMYK color space with 0% cyan, 63% magenta, 49% yellow, and 0% black.
The history of salmon.
The word salmon entered English in the early 13th century, but its origin is debated.
The origin story for the word salmon has multiple takes. Salmon was first recorded in English in the 1200s, initially to describe the fish. The most common theory is that the word came from the Latin verb salire, to leap. Others say that salmon came from a Celtic word, because Celtic lore holds salmon in particularly high esteem. The color salmon was not recorded until 1786. Another adjective to describe anything salmon-like, including salmon color, is salmonic.
The highs and lows of “salmon” in language history tell us when salmon color was most popular.
From 1860 to 1880, the word salmon doubled in use in writing and speech. The color salmon was everywhere in that time, particularly in fashion and art. Impressionist artwork from the likes of Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and Vincent van Gough used the color salmon as one of their regular warm hues. The popularity of salmon color declined once again after the Impressionist era, however.
Salmon color finally found its home in the crayon box.
By the 1930s, the color salmon recovered some use. Maerz and Paul published their 1930 edition of A Dictionary of Color with salmon color on the list. Crayola added “salmon pink” to its crayon box in 1949. The light and warm color salmon was welcomed back into households with popular pastels of the 1950s. Salmon color gained steady use until the mid-1990s when minimalism and neutral colors took over.
The color salmon across different cultures.
Celtic lore denotes the color salmon as a symbol of rejuvenation.
Salmon are northern Atlantic fish. This is the main reason why the supposed Latin root of the name is questioned. Did salmon make it as far as Rome to inspire their “jumping” name? The name salmon might have come from the Ancient Celts, who considered salmon sacred. Salmon color represents these valued fish that were said to bring wisdom, knowledge, and rejuvenation.
The color salmon in Native American culture.
On the other side of the Atlantic, salmon were also valued by Native American cultures in what is today Canada and the United States. The color salmon was commonly used in art and clothing as a symbol. Some societies felt that salmon color represented good luck and fortune, while others saw the color salmon as a depiction of strength, abundance, and wisdom.
The color salmon in fashion and interior design.
The most widespread use of the color salmon is in fashion and interior design. Salmon color is considered part of the pink family, however its use has not been limited to fashion for women. Salmon is a popular color choice for everything from summer dresses to men’s dress shirts and warm-weather polos.