Maroon is a rich, deep red color that has hints of purple or brown. It sits between red and purple on the color wheel and can often cause debate as to whether it should be classified as a red or purple. The answer lies in maroon’s technical specifications and origins.
Maroon is created by adding black or brown to red. This darkens the red into a deeper, richer shade while introducing hints of purple. However, maroon is still considered a shade of red rather than purple. This classification is important for designers, artists, and anyone looking to accurately describe color.
The Technical Specifications of Maroon
In color models like RGB and CMYK which are used for digital and print design, maroon is defined as a shade of red:
RGB Values:
– R: 128-0
– G: 0
– B: 0
CMYK Values:
– C: 0
– M: 100
– Y: 100
– K: 25-50
As these technical values show, maroon contains high amounts of the red spectrum, while lacking green and blue. The addition of black lowers the brightness of the red into a darker maroon shade. However, purple is not present in the technical makeup of maroon.
Maroon’s Relationship to Red and Purple
Maroon sits between red and purple on the color wheel. It bridges the gap between the two, which is why it can sometimes appear to have subtle purple undertones. However, its technical specifications keep it firmly within the red color family.
| Red | Maroon | Purple |
| Has high amounts of red | Has high amounts of red with added black | Combines red and blue |
| No traces of blue or purple | No traces of blue or purple | Contains no yellow |
This table summarizes the key differences between red, maroon, and purple. While maroon borders purple on the color wheel, it shares the same technical makeup as red with no traces of blue or purple pigment.
The History and Origins of Maroon
The first recorded uses of maroon date back to 1789. It stems from the French word “marron” which referred to a chestnut reddish-brown color. In the 1700s and 1800s, rich red chestnut brown shades were known as maroons.
Over time, maroon became established as a slightly darker red rather than a brown. But its origins from the French word for reddish-brown reveal why it has warmer, earthier tones compared to bright primary red.
Maroon vs. Burgundy
Burgundy is another reddish shade that sits close to maroon on the color wheel. But while they may look similar, there are some key differences:
| Maroon | Burgundy |
| Has a slightly purple undertone | Has a subtle orange undertone |
| Slightly darker, richer shade | More red-brown tone |
| Cooler in tone | Warmer in tone |
Maroon leans slightly more purple, while burgundy leans slightly more red-orange. Maroon is also darker than burgundy in most cases.
Maroon vs. Crimson
Crimson is often used interchangeably with maroon. But there are subtle differences between the two rich red shades:
| Maroon | Crimson |
| Deeper, slightly darker red | Brighter, slightly lighter red |
| Hints of purple | Hints of orange |
| Slightly cooler toned | Slightly warmer toned |
Maroon generally has a deeper, darker shade while crimson is brighter and lighter. Maroon leans slightly more purple while crimson leans slightly more orange.
Maroon vs. Ruby
Ruby is another close neighbor of maroon on the color wheel. As a bold, rich red, it shares similarities but also has key differences:
| Maroon | Ruby |
| Dark, slightly brownish red | Vivid, bright red |
| Deeper in tone | Brighter in tone |
| Has hints of purple/brown | No undertones |
Ruby is a more vivid primary red while maroon is darkened with black/brown and has subtle purple/brown undertones.
How Lighting Affects Maroon
The appearance of maroon can shift slightly depending on lighting conditions.
| Incandescent lighting | Natural daylight |
| Warmer, more purple/red appearance | Cooler, more brownish-red appearance |
Incandescent bulbs will bring out warmer purple undertones in maroon, while natural daylight often makes it look slightly more brownish. Always view maroon colors under natural light to assess its most accurate shade.
Uses and Symbolic Meaning of Maroon
Maroon has many uses spanning design, fashion, brands, sports teams, schools, and symbols:
- Used in fall/winter fashion and interior design palettes
- Primary color of Harvard University, conveying prestige
- Used in many team uniforms including the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears
- Associated with strength, courage, and sacrifice as a military color
- Official color of the women’s rights movement and gender equality
Maroon is a versatile color that can convey different energies and meanings based on its context.
Summary and Conclusion
In summary:
- Maroon is technically classified as a shade of red, not purple
- It sits between red and purple on the color wheel which can create ambiguity
- Tracing back to French origins, maroon is a darker red with brown/purple hints
- It differs from similar shades like burgundy, crimson and ruby
- Maroon is a versatile color with many uses and symbolic associations
So in conclusion, while maroon can sometimes appear to have a subtle purple tone, it is fundamentally a deeper, darker shade of red, not technically on the purple side of the color wheel. Its exact appearance can vary based on lighting conditions, but maroon’s classification as a red color is clear when examining its technical specifications and origins. Next time there is ambiguity, consider the technical details and background of maroon to clarify that it is indeed a shade of red.
