August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and has 31 days. It is the fifth month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. August was originally named Sextilis in Latin as it was the sixth month in the early Roman calendar. The month was later renamed August in honor of Augustus Caesar. So what is considered the color for the month of August? There are a few colors that represent this summer month.
Peridot Green
Peridot green is often considered the birthstone color for August. Peridot is a gemstone that ranges from yellowish green to brownish green in color. It’s sometimes called evening emerald because of its light green tones. The vibrant lime green shades of peridot evoke the lush greens of summer. Peridot is the official birthstone for the month of August, so its verdant green hues are linked to this month.
Sunglow Yellow
August is the last full month of summer, so it’s associated with warm, sunny colors like sunglow yellow. Sunglow yellow is a vibrant yellow that evokes the bright summer sun. August is typically one of the hottest months of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, so sunglow yellow fittingly represents the warm glow of the August sun. This radiant yellow shade calls to mind sunshine, summer, and the dog days of August.
Sky Blue
August is still part of summer, so sky blue also fits this month. Sky blue represents clear sunny skies and reminds people of lazy summer days spent outdoors. Since August weather is often warm and dry, the cloudless expanse of a blue August sky is fitting. Sky blue is associated with freedom and fun, concepts that define the spirit of summer. So sky blue is a perfect color match for the carefree days of August.
Sandstone Orange
The natural orange-brown color of sandstone also connects to the month of August. August marks the transition from the height of summer to early autumn. Sandstone orange beautifully represents this seasonal shift. As August progresses, the landscape starts drying out, causing grass and trees to take on warm earthy tones. Sandstone orange reflects late summer’s subtle change from vibrant greens to more muted oranges and browns. This natural tone perfectly embodies August’s place between the bright greens of summer and rich oranges of fall.
Watermelon Pink
August is associated with watermelons because these refreshing fruits reach peak ripeness in the summer heat. The color watermelon pink, a lush vibrant pink-red, is linked to juicy watermelon flesh. August is watermelon season in many places, so this exuberant fruity color fits the month. Watermelon pink represents indulgence, juiciness, and the laidback fun of summer. This color provides a burst of energy to counteract August’s sultry heat.
Terra Cotta
Terra cotta is another earthy tone associated with August. This red-orange clay color calls to mind terracotta pots and adobe architecture. Terra cotta reflects August’s dry, arid climate as summer transitions into fall. The natural clay-based color also connects to harvesttime, since August marks the beginning of the harvest season for many crops. Terra cotta reflects August’s dry soil, stucco buildings, and bountiful harvests. This earthy yet vibrant color embodies both late summer aridity and fertile fields ready for harvest.
| Color | RGB Code |
|---|---|
| Peridot Green | 156, 206, 57 |
| Sunglow Yellow | 255, 204, 51 |
| Sky Blue | 93, 173, 226 |
| Sandstone Orange | 215, 180, 128 |
| Watermelon Pink | 255, 105, 180 |
| Terra Cotta | 200, 131, 91 |
Cultural and Calendar Connections
In addition to colors inspired by nature, August is associated with some specific colors through cultural and calendar connections.
Red, White, and Blue
August is often linked to the colors red, white, and blue in the United States because Independence Day is in July. Since August immediately follows July, it absorbs some of that patriotic color symbolism. Displays of the American flag and its red, white, and blue palette can often be seen in August during election campaigns and as preparations for the new school year ramp up.
Purple
The birth flower for August is the gladiolus, which comes in a wide range of colors, but is especially known for its vibrant purple shades. So regal purple is commonly seen as a color representing August. Purple gladiolus flowers provide a burst of color to summer gardens in August.
Red and Yellow
In many Catholic traditions, August is associated with the colors red and yellow because August has two major feast days honoring martyred saints. Red represents the blood of martyrdom, while yellow symbolizes the glory of spiritual enlightenment. August 10 celebrates St. Lawrence, who was burned to death on a gridiron, and August 14 is the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who volunteered to die in place of another man in a Nazi concentration camp.
Conclusion
August is represented by an array of vibrant warm tones that reflect the transition from summer to fall. Radiant yellows and oranges evoke August’s sunny warmth. Verdant greens call to mind summer’s final bursts of growth and color. Earthy terra cotta and sandstone reflect August’s dry climate and transition to autumn. And culturally, August embodies red, white, and blue for its patriotic celebrations, purple for its birth flower, and red and yellow for its holy martyrs. So August shines with a spectrum of rich, vibrant hues befitting its place between the green of summer and the orange-brown tones of autumn. Whatever colors it evokes, August is ablaze with the fullness of summer before the more subdued tones of fall set in.
