When describing colors, there are many shades and tints that exist between the basic color names like red, blue, and yellow. One such in-between shade is the pinkish red color that falls between pure red and pink. This soft reddish tone has its own unique name that captures its hybrid nature between red and pink. In this article, we’ll explore the specific terms used to refer to this color and look at examples of its use in various contexts.
The Color Rose
The most common name for the pinkish red color is simply “rose.” This name comes from the red roses which exhibit this soft hue in their petals. Rather than being a bold, primary red, rose red has a more delicate, subdued quality. The addition of white/pink to pure red creates a pale reddish tone that conjures images of flower petals, Valentine’s Day, and other soft, romantic associations.
While rose can refer to various specific shades of pinkish red, some related colors in this family include:
- Rose pink
- Rose red
- Rose madder
- Old rose
- Tea rose
So when wanting to describe something that is not a fire-engine red, but rather a gentle reddish tone mixing red with hints of pink or white, “rose” is the perfect go-to word. It instantly creates sensory associations with the visual and fragrant beauty of rose flowers.
Raspberry
In a similar vein, the word “raspberry” can be used to describe particularly deep shades of pinkish red. As opposed to rose, which runs lighter and more delicate, raspberry connotes a juicy, ripe, full reddish tone. Just like the fruit raspberries, this color carries sweet, fruity, and tasty associations.
The deeply hued raspberry color is found in:
- Raspberry sauce
- Raspberry lipstick
- Raspberry jam
- The raspberry coloring of some rose bushes
So this color word is perfect for describing rich pinkish reds with a berry-like quality. It’s feminine yet bold at the same time.
Salmon
Moving towards more orangey-pink territory, “salmon” is another name for certain shades of pinkish red. Just like the color of salmon flesh, this tone incorporates soft pink and orange hues that create a peachy coral color.
Some specific shades in the salmon family include:
- Salmon pink
- Vermillion
- Apricot
- Peach
- Melon
- Coral
Salmon draws up images of sunsets, tropical flowers, and seafood dishes. It’s a warm, inviting take on pinkish red.
Cerise
“Cerise” is a French word referring to the deep cherry red color of ripe cherries. It is sometimes used as a fancier name for shades of vivid reddish pink. While similar to raspberry in its juicy, ripe connotations, cerise refers specifically to cherry hues.
Some examples of cerise pinks include:
- Cherry blossom pinks
- Cerise lipstick
- The red of ripe cherries
This color word evokes spring blooms and sweet flavors. It’s fun, playful, and non-threatening.
Ruby
At the other end of the spectrum, “ruby” describes deeper, richer pinkish reds with a jewel-like quality. Named after the precious ruby gemstone, this color conveys luxury, passion, and brilliance.
Some specific ruby shades are:
- Ruby red
- Ruby pink
- Ruby rose
- Ruby grapefruit
Ruby is perfect for describing hot pinks with a touch of red that sparkle with intensity. It’s bold and elegant all at once.
When Is Pinkish Red Used?
Now that we’ve covered the major terms used to describe pinkish red, let’s look at some of the common uses for this color family:
- Clothing – Pinkish red is popular for women’s blouses, dresses, and formalwear. Rose, ruby, and raspberry are commonly seen.
- Makeup – Lipsticks, blushes, and eyeshadows frequently come in shades like cherry, rose, and salmon pink.
- Flowers – Red roses, tulips, carnations, and cherry blossoms display pinkish red hues.
- Food and drink – Raspberry jam, strawberry sauce, red velvet cake, and ruby red grapefruit are some examples.
- Gems and minerals – Pinkish red stones like rubies, garnets, spinels, and tourmaline are prized in jewelry.
- Paint colors – Many pinkish red paint options exist for home interiors, like blush, ruby slipper, and vermillion.
- Sunsets and skies – When the sky takes on a pinkish red glow at dawn or dusk.
- Decor – In accents like throw pillows, area rugs, and artwork.
So this color family spans from bold to soft applications across fashion, cosmetics, food, nature, and design.
Psychological Effects
Beyond just aesthetics, pinkish reds also convey some symbolic meanings and psychological effects:
- Romance and passion – The color of Valentine’s Day, red roses, and red lipstick conveys love and sensuality.
- Vibrancy and energy – Being close to bold red, pinkish reds feel lively, exciting, and powerful.
- Nostalgia – Soft pinkish hues recall romantic eras like the French Renaissance.
- Appetite – Raspberry and cherry pinks elicit associations with ripe, juicy fruits.
- Femininity – Cultural associations with pink lend a feminine touch to pink-tilted reds.
- Refinement – Deeper ruby tones add elegance and luxury to pink-based reds.
So in mood and meaning, these colors range from energetic to elegant, stimulating to sentimental.
Pinkish Reds in Culture
Looking at popular culture, pinkish reds often make memorable appearances:
- In film – Dorothy’s famous ruby red slippers in The Wizard of Oz.
- In art – Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s pink-tinged redheads.
- In television – Agent Scully’s signature cerise-colored pantsuit on The X-Files.
- In books – Scarlett O’Hara’s dress made from Tara’s curtains in Gone With the Wind.
- In music – The iconic cerise Sgt. Pepper’s uniform of The Beatles.
- In cartoons – The bright red hair of Blossom in The Powerpuff Girls.
Whether flashy or muted, pinkish reds consistently draw the eye in cultural symbols and icons.
Shades of Pinkish Red
To see the wide range of hues that exist under the pinkish red umbrella, here is a visual table of some common variants:
| Shade Name | HEX Code | RGB Code | CMYK Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon | #FA8072 | RGB(250, 128, 114) | CMYK(0, 49, 54, 2) |
| Pink | #FFC0CB | RGB(255, 192, 203) | CMYK(0, 25, 20, 0) |
| Light Pink | #FFB6C1 | RGB(255, 182, 193) | CMYK(0, 29, 24, 0) |
| Raspberry | #E30B5C | RGB(227, 11, 92) | CMYK(0, 95, 59, 11) |
| Ruby | #E0115F | RGB(224, 17, 95) | CMYK(0, 92, 58, 12) |
| Cherry Blossom Pink | #FFB7C5 | RGB(255, 183, 197) | CMYK(0, 28, 23, 0) |
| Fuchsia | #FF00FF | RGB(255, 0, 255) | CMYK(0, 100, 0, 0) |
| Rose Pink | #FF66CC | RGB(255, 102, 204) | CMYK(0, 60, 20, 0) |
| Magenta | #FF00FF | RGB(255, 0, 255) | CMYK(0, 100, 0, 0) |
| Crimson | #DC143C | RGB(220, 20, 60) | CMYK(0, 91, 73, 14) |
This table shows the wide gamut of pinkish reds out there – from barely-pink salmon and rose to rich ruby, magenta, and crimson. There are so many nuanced ways to describe reddish pinks!
Conclusion
So in summary, the main names used to describe various shades of pinkish red include rose, raspberry, salmon, cerise, ruby, and similar fruit, gem, and flower terms. These colors span light pastels to vivid hot pinks, carrying associations from romantic to powerful. Pinkish reds turn up across nature, fashion, design, culture, and more as an eye-catching color family. So next time you need to refer to a reddish pink shade, consider the contexts of rose, salmon, ruby, and other evocative color names that capture the essence of these tones.