Where do the 659 traditional Chinese colors come from?

Based on the open dataset from zhongguose.com, cross-merged and deduplicated with several public sources, keeping names, pinyin, lore and categories — the most complete traditional Chinese color library available.

Can I search by pinyin?

Yes — full pinyin and initials both work: yuebai or yb both reach 月白 (Moon White). The hot chips on the search page are all real colors; click through for lore and palettes.

Are the color stories reliable?

Each entry's origin and description are compiled from public literature and dictionaries, with sources cited at the bottom of the page. Hex values are modern-space reconstructions intended for design reference.

Chinese Traditional Colors

659

659 colors drawn from classical Chinese painting, porcelain, costume and literature — each with a name, a story and modern equivalents.

All families 橙130 红117 黄70 绿70 蓝57 紫56 黑45 灰45 青30 灰白14 水7 苍6 金银6 白6

Seasonal palettes

Curated · season × color-group mapping

Spring · First Greens

100

Willow buds and distant hills — green and cyan traditional colors for the whole season of thaw.

鸭卵青青白海天蓝闪蓝油绿涧石蓝苍蓝苍绿

Summer · Vermilion Heat

247

Pomegranate blossoms under a blazing sun — red and orange traditional colors burning with heat.

粉白蚌肉白淡米粉苹果红山茶红彤葡萄紫豆沙

Autumn · Golden Harvest

Rice ears bowing, ginkgo leaves on the ground — yellow and gold traditional colors of harvest.

鸭黄乳白樱草色蒿黄香蕉黄橄榄黄绿橄榄绿棕榈绿

Winter · Ink and Indigo

236

Frozen water, sealed skies — blue, violet and grey traditional colors of the stillest nights.

精白海参灰象牙白淡蓝灰靛青玫瑰红暗蓝紫深牵牛紫

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#869D9D

#648E93

#3B818C

#126E82

#737C7B

#617172

#134857

#474B4C

#21373D

#132C33

#A4CAB6

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#9ABEAF

FAQ

Where do the 659 traditional Chinese colors come from?: Based on the open dataset from zhongguose.com, cross-merged and deduplicated with several public sources, keeping names, pinyin, lore and categories — the most complete traditional Chinese color library available.
Can I search by pinyin?: Yes — full pinyin and initials both work: yuebai or yb both reach 月白 (Moon White). The hot chips on the search page are all real colors; click through for lore and palettes.
Are the color stories reliable?: Each entry's origin and description are compiled from public literature and dictionaries, with sources cited at the bottom of the page. Hex values are modern-space reconstructions intended for design reference.