【Learn Chinese】Traditional Chinese Color Names

If you have ever looked at Chinese ink paintings, porcelain or silk clothing, you may have noticed something special: the colors have names far more beautiful than simple “blue” or “red.” In traditional Chinese culture, colors are not just visual descriptions — they are tied to nature, seasons, philosophy and art.
These ancient color names are still used today in design, fashion and literature, and they offer a lovely window into how Chinese people see the world. Here are six of the most iconic ones.

天青色 (tiān qīng sè) — Sky after rain celadon
Arguably the most famous traditional Chinese color. It describes the soft, pale grey-blue of the sky right after rain stops and the clouds are just breaking. This is the legendary color of Song Dynasty Ru porcelain, said to have been created by order of an emperor who dreamed of the sky after rain. Today it is still widely used in ceramics, clothing and home design, and is associated with quiet elegance.

朱砂 (zhūshā) — Cinnabar red
A deep, warm, slightly orange red made from cinnabar mineral. This is the color of traditional Chinese seals, temple walls, wedding decorations and good luck envelopes. In ancient times it was believed to ward off evil spirits. It is the original “Chinese red” — brighter and warmer than the deep red used in the West.

月白 (yuè bái) — Moon white
Despite the name, this is not white at all. It is a very pale, cool blue, like the glow of moonlight on a clear night. It was a very popular color for scholar’s robes in ancient China, because it felt calm, refined and understated. Today it is a common color for linen clothing and home textiles.

赭石 (zhě shí) — Ochre earth
A warm, earthy reddish-brown made from natural clay stone. This is one of the oldest colors in Chinese art — it was used in cave paintings thousands of years ago, and later became a standard color in ink painting for rocks and mountains. It has a grounded, natural, timeless feeling.

黛色 (dài sè) — Indigo black
A deep, soft blue-black, like the color of distant mountains at dusk. The word originally comes from the eyebrow pencil powder ancient women used to draw their eyebrows. In poetry, it is almost always used to describe faraway hills, dark hair and evening skies. It feels softer and more poetic than plain “black.”

鹅黄 (é huáng) — Goose yellow
A soft, pale buttery yellow, like the down of a newborn gosling. It is the color of early spring willow buds and fresh rice wine. It feels gentle, lively and youthful, and is often used for children’s clothing and spring-themed designs.