Pink is a color that evokes a sense of femininity, sweetness, and romance. But what exactly is the technical classification of the color pink? Here we’ll explore the scientific categorization of pink across color models, its history, and varying cultural associations.
The Color Wheel
On the traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color wheel used by artists, pink is classified as a tertiary color. The primary colors on the RYB wheel are red, yellow, and blue. Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors, giving us orange, green, and purple.
Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and secondary color. Pink is made by mixing the primary red and secondary purple. Other tertiary colors using this mixing method include vermillion, amber, and teal.
So in summary, pink’s classification on the RYB color wheel is:
– Primary color: Red
– Secondary color: Purple
– Tertiary color: Pink
The RGB Color Model
In the digital RGB (red, green, blue) color model, colors are made by mixing varying intensities of the three additive primary colors red, green, and blue.
In this model, pink is not one of the primaries or secondaries. Rather, it is made by mixing different proportions of red and blue light.
Some examples of RGB values for pink colors:
| Light pink | 255, 182, 193 |
| Pink | 255, 192, 203 |
| Dark pink | 255, 20, 147 |
So pink is not a primary or secondary color in the RGB system, but rather a tertiary color created by mixing red and blue. The exact pink shade depends on the respective R and B values.
The CMY and CMYK Models
There are two other major color models to consider:
– CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow)
– CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, key/black)
These are subtractive color models used in painting and printing. They work by starting with a white surface and then subtracting color by applying pigments.
In both these systems, pink is a tertiary color made by mixing varying amounts of magenta (reddish) and white. By adding white to magenta pigment, you lighten the shade into pink.
Some example CMYK values for pinks:
| Baby pink | 0, 25, 20, 0 |
| Light pink | 0, 45, 20, 0 |
| Bright pink | 0, 95, 5, 0 |
The percentages refer to the concentration of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. As you can see, pink shades require high magenta and low cyan/yellow.
So in both CMY and CMYK systems, pink is a tertiary color created by diluting magenta ink with white pigment.
The History of Pink
Historically, pink as a distinct color name is relatively new. In ancient times, artists were limited by available dyes and pigments. The earliest synthetic pink dye was derived from the rose madder plant in the 18th century.
But pink existed in subtler forms long before being recognized as a separate color. In the Renaissance, pastel tints were sometimes referred to as rosa (Italian for rose). La Vie en Rose by Louis XIV was painted using pink hues.
However, pink was not fully established as a unique color until the 18th century. In 17th century English, pink was the word for a “greenish-yellow” color rather than today’s pink.
By the late 18th century, advances in synthetic dyes allowed fashionable men and women to wear specific shades of light red dubbed “pink.” It grew in popularity from there.
Some key events in pink history:
– **17th century** – The word “pink” refers to yellowish green pigments, not today’s pink.
– **18th century** – Modern pink dyes are invented, light red is dubbed “pink” as a fashionable color.
– **19th century** – Pink fabrics grow in popularity. Associations with femininity and childhood begin.
– **20th century** – Pink explodes as a gender signifier for young girls. Brands like Barbie and Hello Kitty use pink in marketing.
So while pink feels like an intrinsic color today, its status as an independent color is relatively recent, historically speaking. It was the development of modern, synthetic pink dyes that allowed “pink” to enter the mainstream lexicon as the color we know.
Pink in Culture and Society
What does the color pink mean today? As we’ve seen, pink is often associated with:
– Feminity
– Innocence
– Childhood
– Sweetness
– Romance
Why is pink strongly associated with girls and women?
Interestingly, this gender divide is relatively modern. Up until the early 20th century, most small children regardless of gender wore white dresses. Both boys and girls would sometimes wear pink.
The sharply gendered association of pink was popularized in the mid-20th century. Department stores launched marketing campaigns aimed at dressing girls in feminine pastel colors versus practical darker colors.
In the 1940s, companies like General Foods used pink on their products to denote female brands like Knox Jell-O. Pink quickly became a signifier of femininity.
This was further amplified by the rise of Disney movies like Cinderella with pink-gowned princesses. The explosion of Barbie in the 60s also cemented the color pink as a symbol of young girlhood.
In modern times, pink continues to be deeply entangled with gender roles and stereotypes. Some people embrace pink things regardless of gender, while others avoid pink due to its feminine cultural connotations.
The connection between pink and gender is not universal, however. In Japan, for instance, pink is associated with masculinity due to cultural differences.
So while pink has strong feminine meanings in the modern West, this reflects more recent cultural developments rather than intrinsic universal meanings.
Pink in Nature
While synthetic pink dyes enabled the spread of pink in culture and fashion, the color also appears in some natural substances.
In plants, pink is found in:
– Cherry blossoms
– Roses
– Carnations
– Peonies
– Azalea blooms
Pink is also observed in certain minerals, microorganisms, and aquatic life:
– Rhodochrosite (mineral)
– Pink sea fans (algae)
– Pincushion sea urchins
– Pink river dolphins
– Flamingoes and cockatiels (diet causes pink coloring)
However, pink rarely occurs as a dominant pigment in nature. Most pink plant and animal color arises from subtler combinations of red, blue, and white rather than strong true pink.
Synthetic pink dyes remain necessary to create vivid hot pinks. But softer pinks do integrate into the natural world through selective absorptions and reflections of light.
Pink Pigments
As a quick summary, some common manmade pink pigments include:
– **Rhodamine** – A synthetic fluorescent pigment able to create vivid pinks.
– **Perylene** – An organic synthetic pigment with excellent fade resistance.
– **Quinacridone** – A modern synthetic organic pigment with high tinting strength.
– **Rubine red** – A classic synthetic red pigment that can be mixed to pale pinks.
– **Phthalo pink** – A modified phthalo (phthalocyanine) pigment.
Historically, pink paint was derived from natural iron oxide red (red ochre) mixed with white lead pigments. Modern hues are enabled by synthetic organic pigments for brighter, longer-lasting pinks.
Textile dyeing also originally used natural madder roots to produce light reds. Now rhodamine and perylene-based dyes create bold, vivid pink shades.
So both paints and dyes mostly rely on synthetic pink pigments today, compared to traditional natural sources.
What is pink? In summary:
– A tertiary color made by combining red and white/blue hues
– Classified as a light red or light purple depending on model
– A relatively recent color name, enabled by synthetic dyes
– Culturally associated with femininity and girlhood, especially in the West
– Naturally occurs in some plants and minerals, but usually not strongly
– Dependent on synthetic pigments and dyes for vivid pink hues
So despite feeling intrinsically familiar, pink is actually a nuanced and culturally complex color!
Conclusion
Pink is scientifically classified as a tertiary color, meaning it is created by combining primary and secondary colors. Traditional RYB pink mixes red and purple, while digital RGB pinks mix red and blue.
Culturally, pink is strongly associated with femininity and girlhood, especially in the West. Natural pink pigments do occur in some plants and minerals, but synthetic pink dyes remain important for creating vivid pink tones.
So what is pink? In essence, a subtle, eye-pleasing tone that sits at the reddish end of the white-purple spectrum. A color with both an extensive scientific and cultural history. Pink is classified as a tertiary color but its meanings go far deeper.
