Dragons blood is a rich, warm red color that has been used in art and design for centuries. The name comes from the red resin that is collected from different species of trees, originally in the genus Dracaena. This resin was called “dragons blood” in ancient times due to its red color and associations with dragon lore across many cultures. Today, dragons blood refers to paint colors and dyes that seek to capture this deep, exotic red hue.
The History of Dragons Blood Color
The use of dragons blood resin dates back thousands of years. It was used as early as the first century AD as a dye and medicine in the Mediterranean region. In ancient Greece and Rome, dragons blood resin was used for dyeing textiles and even cosmetics. The bright red color was symbolic of valor and power. During the Middle Ages in Europe, dragons blood resin continued to be prized for its dyeing abilities and was associated with the blood of legendary dragons. Marco Polo wrote of encountering dragons blood trees during his travels to the East Indies in the 13th century.
The popularity of the dragons blood color stretched from Europe to Asia to Pre-Columbian America. In China, it was used to dye the red fabrics worn by brides and to stain lacquerware. Indigenous people of Mexico, Central America, and South America all made use of dragons blood resin for dye and painting. So the rich, crimson color carried deep meaning across many ancient cultures.
Modern Dragons Blood Pigment and Dyes
Today, commercial dragons blood pigments and dyes are made synthetically rather than from harvested resins. This allows the colors to be standardized and made widely accessible for artists, designers, and consumers. While called dragons blood, these modern colors are not made from the dragon’s blood tree at all. Instead, they are made from inorganic compounds and pigments to replicate that iconic saturated red.
| Company | Product Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Winsor & Newton | Winton Oil Color – Dragons Blood | Deep red oil paint made with synthetic pigments and binder. |
| Dharma Trading Co. | Dragon’s Blood Dye | Fiber reactive dye creates a bright Turkey red. |
| Kremer Pigments | Dragons Blood Pigment | Saturated synthetic red pigment for paints and coatings. |
There are some dragons blood paints, like Winsor & Newton’s Winton Oil Colors, that aim to recreate the look of historical dragons blood media. These combine synthetic inorganic reds with red lakes, alizarin, and carmine to create a rich, deep red with subtle variations. Meanwhile, many modern dragons blood dyes and pigments prioritize creating an intense, saturated red at an affordable price over mimicking the nuances of natural dragons blood.
Using Dragons Blood Color in Design
The bold, dramatic hue of dragons blood makes it a popular choice for adding visual impact to designs. Here are some ways dragons blood is used in modern design:
- Graphic design – Used for websites, logos, invitations, and marketing materials to grab attention.
- Automotive design – Seen on concept cars and customized vehicles as an eye-catching accent color.
- Interior design – Adds richness as an accent wall color, throw pillows, rugs, or furniture upholstery.
- Cosmetics – Seen in lipsticks, nail polish, and eye makeup for a sexy, femme fatale look.
- Clothing and fashion – Used in small doses on details like linings, buttons, and trim for bold contrast.
- Fine art – Oil paints allow mixing dragons blood colors to create dramatic, textured effects.
Dragons blood is versatile enough to stand on its own as a dominant color or to provide punch when paired with black, white, metallics, neutrals, and even complementary greens. It brings an elegant, upscale look to luxe decor and an edgy, daring attitude to fashion and graphic design.
Dragons Blood Color Codes
To use dragons blood color in digital or print design, here are some common color codes to try:
| Color System | Dragons Blood Color Code |
|---|---|
| HEX | #E62E6B |
| RGB | rgb(230, 46, 107) |
| CMYK | 0, 80, 53, 10 |
| Pantone | PMS 199 C |
These codes will all produce a similar raspberry red color. However, there are many shades and tints that all qualify as a dragons blood hue. Experimenting with lightening, darkening, and saturation is a great way to adapt the color for your specific design needs.
Dragons Blood Color in Popular Culture
The striking dragons blood color has made appearances across pop culture in recent years. A few notable examples include:
- Taylor Swift’s album Red features the dragons blood hue on the cover art and merchandise.
- The Met Gala 2021 theme was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion”. Dragons blood dresses and capes could be seen on multiple celebrity guests.
- Lady Gaga wore a dramatic dragons blood cape to Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in January 2021.
- In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Hermione disguises Ron as “Dragomir Despard”, complete with dragons blood jacket.
Dragons blood continues to feel exciting, mystical, and a little dangerous in pop culture contexts. It still carries the potent symbolism it did centuries ago. But modern creatives have made it fresh again with bold new applications across art, fashion, design, and media.
Dragons Blood Auto Paint Colors
For those looking to paint their car or motorcycle with a dragons blood hue, several major automotive paint brands offer their own versions of this sizzling shade:
| Brand | Paint Name/Code |
|---|---|
| PPG Delfleet | R9186 – Hot Hot Pink |
| House of Kolor | KRL02 – Kamper Red |
| DuPont ChromaBase | RRP4227 – Ruby Red Pearl |
| Sherwin-Williams | HS Single Stage – 6625 Dragons Blood |
Auto body shops can mix up a custom dragons blood paint to your specifications too. When choosing the paint, think about how light plays off the curves of a car and how small accents can really pop. A metallic or pearlescent paint with fine pigments will show off that dimensional, shifting color.
Conclusion
From ancient legends to modern media, dragons blood endures as a powerful, symbolic shade. The natural resin dye has been traded globally for thousands of years. And its name evokes vibrant images of mythical dragons, valor, prestige, and more. Today, this color is easily incorporated into designs through widely available synthetic pigments. Whether painting a wall, designing a website, or customizing a vehicle, dragons blood makes a bold, memorable statement. Embrace the allure of this rich red in your own projects.
