A light red like a peach blossom just opening, soft and elegant; often an accent color in scholars’ painting and calligraphy, and used for the trim of classical clothing.

The red of dawn light at daybreak, bright and vivid; often used in traditional bird-and-flower painting and paper-cutting, full of life.

Ancient red earth.

A red often found in classical texts, pure and rich; used for the cinnabar of inscriptions, traditional seal paste, and court ceremonial decoration.

The flush on a drinker’s cheeks — warm and soft; common in the dress of classical paintings of beauties and in traditional textile patterns.

A deep brown like chocolate, weighty and composed; traditionally used in lacquerware and wood carving to convey luxury.

A red modeled on lotus petals, fresh and vivid; often used in classical garden waterscapes and the painting of Buddhist objects.

The red of traditional rouge, tender and alluring; often used in classical makeup, the facial coloring of paintings of beauties, and silk dyeing.

A red modeled on crabapple blossoms, tender and graceful; a classic color for classical garden decor and women’s clothing, expressing gentle beauty.

The color of faith.

A red slightly brighter than vermilion, ardent and brisk; common in folk embroidery, New Year prints, and traditional clothing, conveying festivity.

A rich red modeled on pomegranate fruit, ardent and full; used in folk wedding decorations and ceramic painting, symbolizing many sons and blessings.

A deep red like clotted blood; traditionally used for ritual vessels and seal carving, carrying a sense of solemnity and gravity.

A light brown, soft and rustic, commonly used in folk home textiles and children's clothing for a comfortable feel.

Warm and full of vitality.

A transitional color between brown and yellow, warm and soft, commonly used in folk clothing and ceramics for a friendly feel.

A light brown imitating rabbit fur, soft and delicate, commonly used in folk children's clothing and woolen goods for a friendly feel.

A light brown imitating cardamom, delicate and soft, often used in women's clothing and traditional makeup for a gentle feel.

A transitional color between tangerine and red, warm and lively, commonly used in folk lanterns, painted toys, and festive decorations for a joyful feel.

A brown-yellow imitating licorice, soft and natural, often used by scholars in painting and calligraphy and for scholarly objects, for an elegant simplicity.

A traditional mineral color, orange-yellow, used in ancient times for ward-off-evil objects, alchemy pills, and painting pigments.

The yellow of the earth, plain and substantial, commonly used in folk ceramics, clay sculptures, and the rammed-earth walls of ancient architecture, for a natural feel.

A soft sunset.

A warm yellow imitating beeswax, mellow and translucent, traditionally used in jewelry carving and lacquerware decoration, for an elegant feel.

A transitional color between tangerine and yellow, vivid and lively, commonly used in folk lanterns, New Year pictures, and festive decorations, full of joy.

A pale yellow like gosling down, soft and delicate, often seen in scholars' painting and calligraphy, women's clothing, and children's clothes.

A pale yellow imitating pears, soft and elegant, commonly used in folk furniture paint and traditional pastry decoration, for a sweet feel.

The color of ripe wheat.

An extremely plain, elegant warm white.

A traditional Chinese painting pigment color, bright and rich, the main yellow used in bird-and-flower and figure paintings, with good blending properties.

A yellow made from mineral pigments, steady and rich, mostly used in court murals and the painting of religious statues, for a solemn feel.

A deep yellow imitating ginger root, warm and substantial, often used in traditional fabric dyeing and Buddhist object decoration, for a solemn feel.

Commoners' robes.

A yellow reserved for ancient royalty, bright and luxurious, used only for the emperor's clothing, the roofs of palace buildings, and ceremonial objects.

Commoners' robes.

A pale yellow like rice grains, soft and plain, commonly used in folk home textiles and bisque ceramic glazes, for a comfortable feel.

A yellow imitating chrysanthemums, bright and elegant, often used in classical garden decoration and traditional clothing patterns, for a noble feel.

The pale yellow of new plant buds, fresh and delicate, a common color for scholars' writing paper and traditional fabric patterns.

This is the golden yellow of ancient China.

Folk cloth dyeing.

Wealth and glory.

The light yellow of early-spring willow leaves, fresh and tender; a common color in scholars' folding fans and light silk textiles, conveying vitality.

A bright pale yellow, like the color of lemons; commonly used in folk children's toys and New Year print accents, full of vitality.

A classic warm white, softer than pure white.

The tender green of early-spring willow leaves, soft and fresh, often seen in folk clothing, children's garments, and home textiles.

The green of fresh grass, natural and refreshing, a common color in literati painting and calligraphy and in bonsai arrangements, conveying plain vitality.

The blue-green of bamboo skin, fresh and elegant, a common color in literati bamboo wares and the mounting of painting and calligraphy, expressing noble purity.

A deep green imitating olives, substantial and composed, often used in traditional weapon sheaths and leather goods, conveying durability.

A pale cyan imitating pine pollen, fresh and elegant, a common color for scholar's study objects such as brush washers and paperweights.

The cyan-green of moss, warm and natural, often used in classical garden rockery decoration and bonsai arrangements, conveying vitality.

A pale cyan-green, like the color of green beans, soft and elegant, often seen in folk ceramics and plain-colored fabrics, conveying a simple, rustic feel.

The cyan-green of fresh grass, vivid and bright, often used in folk children's clothing and festive decorations, full of vitality.

The deep green of pine needles, composed and rich, traditionally used for furniture lacquer and the wooden decoration of ancient buildings, conveying solemnity.

The deep cyan of winter holly leaves, composed and rich, traditionally used for furniture lacquer and the wooden decoration of buildings, conveying solemnity.

A jade-like cyan-green, bright and translucent, often used in jewelry inlay and traditional jewelry design, fully displaying luxury.

A green imitating peacock feathers, bright and unique, the classic color of traditional ceramic glazes such as peacock-green glaze, conveying splendor.

A teal-gray like duck feathers, soft and natural; often used for garment fabrics and home textiles, evoking rustic comfort.

A cyan like clear lake water, warm and translucent; often used in traditional jade carving and ceramic glazes, showing a lively beauty.

A deep cyan, like the color of oxidized iron, weighty and steady; mostly used in traditional weapon ornament and the forging of metal wares.

A deep cyan; the traditional pigment was extracted from conch shells, rich in color, mostly used in heavy-color Chinese painting and courtly painted objects.

A bright cyan like a gemstone, splendid and refined; often used in palace jewelry and religious object decoration, expressing nobility.

A color like clear green water, warm and translucent; often used in traditional jade carving and ceramic glazes, showing liveliness.

The start of a clear day.

The cyan of a sky just clearing, limpid and bright; the classic glaze color of Song-dynasty Ru ware, showing elegant charm.

A cyan like lake water, limpid and bright; often used in traditional ceramics and brocade patterns, conveying a sense of openness.

A gray with a cyan cast, cool and elegant; scholars often used it for calligraphy paper and garments, expressing noble purity.

A gray with a dai (dark blue-black) cast, elegant and steady; often used in traditional clothing and furniture decoration, expressing a classical air.

A black like iron, weighty and hard; often used in traditional weapons and metal wares, expressing solidity.

A blue-leaning cyan, composed yet bright; commonly used in traditional batik and blue calico prints, lending a rustic charm.

A cyan pigment ground from minerals, deep and weighty; used mainly in the polychrome decoration of ancient buildings (such as Hexi-style painting) and in the coloring of murals.

A pigment color common in traditional Chinese painting, a deep cyan with a blue cast; it spreads naturally in brushstrokes and is a primary color in landscape and bird-and-flower painting.

An extremely pale ice blue.

The white of traditional white porcelain, clean and translucent; a classic color for ceramic ware, conveying an elegant texture.

A black with a cyan cast, composed and distinctive; traditionally used in the decoration of bronzes and lacquerware, conveying an antique feel.

A blue-leaning purple, fresh and refined; scholars commonly use it for calligraphy paper and folding fans, conveying quiet elegance.

A deep cyan made from indigo dye, rich in color; commonly used in traditional batik, blue calico prints, and folk clothing.

The standard mid-tone purple.

A deep, dark purple like ink-dyed cloth, steady and imposing; often used for court objects and religious statues, conveying solemnity.

A pale purple in imitation of lilac blossoms, fresh and refined; a common color for scholars' study objects and fabrics.

A purple in imitation of the violet, elegant and fresh; often used by scholars for painting and calligraphy coloration and for fabric patterns, conveying romance.

A sumptuous purple with the luster of brocade; often used in court costume patterns and religious objects, conveying nobility.

A deep purple like ink-dyed cloth, rich and heavy; traditionally used to pair with gilding on lacquerware and metalwork, conveying luxury.

A pale purple, like snow tinged with a hint of cyan, cool and refined; often used by scholars for painting and calligraphy coloration and for clothing fabrics.

A deep purple with a sauce-brown cast, heavy and composed; traditionally used as a lacquer color for furniture and ancient architecture, conveying an antique air.

A deep purple close to black, heavy and mysterious; traditionally used on religious objects and in the private decoration of courts, conveying solemnity.

A deep red with a purple cast, composed and luxurious; historically used for the clothing of nobles and the decoration of religious objects, conveying a noble air.

A deep, dark purple, understated and composed; often used on traditional lacquerware and metalwork, conveying mystery.

A deep purple like soy sauce, heavy and composed; traditionally used as a lacquer color for lacquerware and furniture, conveying solemnity.

A deep purple in imitation of grapes, rich and bright; commonly used in folk clothing and painted ceramics, conveying liveliness.

A purple in imitation of roses, rich and lovely; often used in traditional brocade and jewelry design, conveying romance.

A pale purple, soft and delicate; common in women's clothing, traditional makeup, and children's wear.

A deep purple in imitation of eggplant, composed and luxurious; traditionally used for court costume and religious object decoration, conveying nobility.

A white with a faint pink cast, soft and delicate, often seen in women's clothing, traditional makeup, and fabric trim.

A brown-purple modeled on amomum fruit — distinctive and elegant, traditionally used for spice packaging and textile patterns for a singular look.

Between purple and red.

An icon of the 1980s.

A red-leaning purple, vivid and rich, commonly used in folk wedding decorations and New Year prints for a festive air.

A red with a silvery sheen, ornate and refined, traditionally used for bright embroidery threads and the gilding of metalwares for a delicate look.

A red with a slight pink cast, vivid and bright, often used in traditional brocade and New Year prints to strengthen visual impact.

A byword for romance.

A light red modeled on apricot blossoms, elegant and fresh — a common color for scholars' folding fans and the binding of ancient books, conveying quiet refinement.

A deep brown modeled on sandalwood, composed and luxurious; often used in traditional woodenware and religious objects, conveying solemnity.

A gray like that of rattan — natural and rustic; commonly used in folk rattan ware and woven goods, conveying a natural texture.

A transitional color between brown and red — rich and warm; often used in traditional furniture and leather goods, conveying a classical feel.

An enticing deep orange-brown.

A clear fragrance.

A classic leather brown.

A brownish yellow modeled on pine nuts — warm and soft; commonly used in folk textiles and ceramics, conveying a friendly feel.

A deep brown modeled on walnuts — composed and natural; often used in traditional woodenware and jewelry boxes, conveying a rustic feel.

It seems the old term for scarlet-yellow referred to this color.

A brownish yellow modeled on dried tangerine peel — warm and rich; traditionally used for lacquerware and ceramic glazes, conveying a rustic feel.

A white with silvery luster, ornate and refined, often used for silver-gilt court objects and traditional jewelry to convey opulence.

A gray with silvery luster, ornate and refined, often used for court objects and traditional jewelry to convey opulence.

A medium-depth gray, composed and neutral, commonly used in folk clothing, ceramics, and architecture for its versatility.

A charcoal-like gray, plain and natural, commonly used in folk ceramics and clay sculpture for a rugged texture.

A deep gray, weighty and composed, traditionally used for furniture lacquer and oxidized metal objects to convey gravity.

A chestnut-like deep brown, rich and full, traditionally used for lacquerware and metal objects to convey opulence.

An ox-hair-like deep brown, composed and weighty, commonly used for traditional leather goods and objects to convey sturdiness.

The gathering of all light.

A misty grayish white, like smoke.

The white of frost-covered things, cool and understated; scholars often used it for folding fans and the binding of ancient books, expressing noble purity.

A transitional color between black and gray, soft and steady; commonly used in folk dress, ceramics, and architectural decoration, expressing plainness.

The black of charred coal, deep and heavy; often used in traditional metal forging and black ceramic glazes, expressing ruggedness.

A soap-like black, soft and matte; commonly used in folk clothing dyeing and home textiles, expressing practicality.

The black of classical texts, pure and rich; mostly used for women’s eyebrow ink (dai), traditional seal-paste color schemes, and clothing.

The black of charcoal, deep and rich; often used in traditional calligraphy and painting ink, lacquerware, and garment trim, expressing solemnity.

A black with a hint of luster, like the color of ebony, steady and luxurious; traditionally used in wood carving and jewelry.

The designer’s ultimate nightmare.

The absence of light.