Carnelian
HEX: #B31B1B | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#B31B1B
179, 27, 27
0°, 73% ,40%
0, 85, 85, 30
About Carnelian
Carnelian (#B31B1B) is a color with RGB(179, 27, 27) and HSL(0°, 73.8%, 40.4%). It is commonly associated with Energetic, Romantic moods. In design, it fits Vivid, Warm styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #1BB3B3, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #1BB31B and #1B1BB3. The name comes from corneline (Old French).
- HEX: #B31B1B
- RGB: 179, 27, 27
- HSL: 0°, 73.8%, 40.4%
- Mood: Energetic, Romantic
- Style: Vivid, Warm
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: #1BB3B3
- Triadic colors: #1BB31B, #1B1BB3
- The name comes from corneline (Old French).
Live Components
Color Palettes
Color Harmonies
Complementary
The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.
Split-Complementary
Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.
Tetradic (Square)
Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.
Monochromatic
Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.
Shades & Tints
A seamless scale of #B31B1B from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The word 'carnelian' comes from the Old French 'corneline', which itself is derived from the Latin 'corneolus'. This Latin term is a diminutive of 'corneus', meaning 'horny' or 'horn-like', referring to the stone's hardness and sometimes waxy luster. Another theory suggests a connection to 'cornum' (cornel cherry), due to the stone's reddish color resembling the fruit. The spelling 'carnelian' with an 'a' became more common later, possibly influenced by the Latin 'caro' (flesh), due to its flesh-like reddish-orange hues.
First Recorded Use
late 14th century
Cultural Associations
Ancient Egyptians believed carnelian aided the journey of the soul after death and used it in funerary jewelry. It was also associated with the goddess Isis. In ancient Rome, carnelian was widely used for signet rings and intaglios due to its durability and the fact that hot wax does not stick to it. It was believed to be a stone of courage, vitality, and creativity across various cultures. Islamic tradition holds that carnelian is a stone of great significance, with the Prophet Muhammad said to have worn a carnelian ring. In some traditions, carnelian is associated with the sacral chakra, promoting energy, passion, and joy.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #B31B1B;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #B31B1B;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #B31B1B;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#B31B1B,
#1BB3B3
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#B31B1B,
#1BB3B3
);
}// SCSS variable
$carnelian: #B31B1B;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$carnelian-r: 179;
$carnelian-g: 27;
$carnelian-b: 27;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $carnelian;
color: rgba($carnelian-r, $carnelian-g, $carnelian-b, 0.8);
}