The forbidden history of colors

Quiz

When white light shines on a royal garment dyed with Tyrian purple, what physical process explains why the garment appears purple to our eyes?

choko The Forbidden History of Colors

Only the Caesar / Rocking the purple / You die if you wear it

choko The sacred restriction of Imperial yellow

The secret recipe of Aztec cochineal red

choko Spain guarded the secret of cochineal red, a brilliant dye made from crushed insects, to maintain a highly lucrative global monopoly.

It's wild that wearing the wrong shade of yellow in ancient China was a crime.

choko Only Chinese emperors wore this vibrant yellow, while anyone else faced severe punishment.

BETA

choko Decode secret pigment recipes to learn why kings banned ordinary people from wearing royal colors.

Fun Fact

Snail breath: Tyrian purple was actually made from the mucus of predatory sea snails that smelled like rotting fish.

Glossary

Púrpura de Tiro (sustantivo)
Exclusivo tinte obtenido por los fenicios a partir de miles de caracoles marinos. Al ser más costoso que el oro, este pigmento se convirtió en el símbolo supremo de riqueza, poder e imperio.

Gossip

Which royal color would you wear?

Quiz

In the history and philosophy of color, why did ancient Roman rulers strictly regulate the use of Tyrian purple dye through sumptuary laws?

choko The secret recipe of Aztec cochineal red

The sacred restriction of Imperial yellow

choko In ancient China, only the emperor and direct imperial family members were legally permitted to wear the brilliant shade of Imperial yellow.

Quiz

Which color was Marvel's superhero, the Incredible Hulk, originally intended to be in his 1962 debut before printing issues led to his famous green skin?

choko Ultramarine and the debt of Michelangelo

Quiz

Associated with royalty and Roman emperors, the luxurious dye known as Tyrian purple was historically harvested from which unusual source?

Quiz

What toxic chemical was found in the mineral orpiment, which was used to make Imperial yellow?

Quiz

Which religious figure's robes were traditionally painted with precious ultramarine blue in Renaissance art?

Quiz

What living organism is harvested to make the brilliant red dye known as cochineal?

Quiz

For how long did the Spanish Empire successfully keep the source of cochineal red a state secret?

Quiz

Which ancient civilization first produced Tyrian purple from sea snails?