Pink vs. Carnation — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 6, 2024
Pink is a color spanning hues from light red to a blushing pale color often associated with romance and softness; carnation refers specifically to a species of flower, Dianthus caryophyllus, known for its ruffled petals and sweet fragrance.
Difference Between Pink and Carnation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Pink" as a color is widely recognized and used across various contexts, from fashion to design, symbolizing tenderness, love, and youth. Whereas "carnation" specifically refers to a type of flowering plant within the Dianthus family, notable for its distinct, sweet fragrance and layered ruffled petals.
The term pink can describe anything that bears its color, ranging from clothing to decorations. On the other hand, carnations, while they can be pink, are also available in many other colors, such as red, white, yellow, and purple, each potentially carrying different symbolic meanings.
Pink as a color is often employed in cultural, social, and marketing contexts to connote softness and charm, ideal for themes related to babies, Valentine’s Day, or breast cancer awareness. Conversely, carnations are a popular choice in floral arrangements and have specific cultural significances, such as red carnations symbolizing love and white ones signifying good luck.
In historical and artistic contexts, pink has had varied implications and trends, from royal clothing to contemporary fashion statements. Carnations have been historically significant in art and symbolism, often depicted in classical paintings and used as symbols in different cultures, such as in Mother’s Day celebrations and at weddings.
Regarding availability and variation, pink is a constant in the palette of designers and artists with its varying shades. Carnations, too, offer diversity in their appearance and use, with hybrids and cultivars expanding their range of colors and patterns suited for different decorative purposes.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A color derived from a mix of red and white
A type of flower with ruffled petals
Varieties
Multiple shades from pale blush to deep rose
Comes in various colors including pink, red, white
Symbolism
Often associated with romance, tenderness
Symbolic meanings vary by color; red for love, white for luck
Usage
Broad in fashion, art, and decor
Specific to floriculture and symbolism
Cultural Significance
Fashion trends, marketing, social movements
Occasions like Mother’s Day, weddings, cultural symbols
Compare with Definitions
Pink
A pale red color that is named after a flower of the same name.
She decorated her room in shades of pink.
Carnation
Can be grown in a garden setting or commercially cultivated.
The local florist grows several varieties of carnations in her greenhouse.
Pink
Often associated with qualities like softness, innocence, and romance.
The wedding invitations were printed in a classic pink.
Carnation
A perennial flower known for its sweet fragrance and ruffled petals.
He gave her a bouquet of pink carnations for her birthday.
Pink
Represents breast cancer awareness in many social campaigns.
Participants at the event wore pink ribbons.
Carnation
Available in many colors, each with its own symbolic meaning.
The white carnations at the wedding stood for pure love and good luck.
Pink
Widely used in marketing to appeal to a youthful and feminine demographic.
The new line of cosmetics features a vibrant pink packaging.
Carnation
Widely used in floral arrangements and for corsages due to their longevity and beauty.
Carnations are a popular choice for Mother's Day bouquets.
Pink
Varied in its psychological impacts, from calming to energizing depending on the shade.
The nursery was painted in a gentle, soothing pink.
Carnation
Culturally significant, with red carnations symbolizing deep love and admiration.
Red carnations are often worn on Teacher’s Day.
Pink
Pink is a color that is a pale tint of red and is named after a flower of the same name. It was first used as a color name in the late 17th century.
Carnation
A double-flowered cultivated variety of clove pink, with grey-green leaves and showy pink, white, or red flowers.
Pink
Of a colour intermediate between red and white, as of coral or salmon
Her face was pink with embarrassment
Bright pink lipstick
Carnation
A rosy pink colour
Sage and carnation throw pillows
Pink
Having or showing left-wing tendencies
Pink politicians
Carnation
Any of numerous cultivated forms of a perennial plant (Dianthus caryophyllus) having showy, variously colored, usually double, often fragrant flowers with fringed petals.
Pink
Pink colour, pigment, or material
Soft pastel shades of pink and blue
Carnation
A flower of this plant. Also called clove pink.
Pink
The best condition or degree
The economy is not in the pink of health
Carnation
A pinkish tint once used in painting.
Pink
A herbaceous Eurasian plant with sweet-smelling pink or white flowers and slender, typically grey-green leaves.
Carnation
A type of Eurasian plant widely cultivated for its flowers.
Pink
A small square-rigged sailing ship, typically with a narrow, overhanging stern.
Carnation
Originally, Dianthus caryophyllus
Pink
A yellowish lake pigment made by combining vegetable colouring matter with a white base.
Carnation
Other members of genus Dianthus and hybrids
Pink
Become pink
Cheryl's cheeks pinked with sudden excitement
Carnation
The type of flower they bear, originally flesh-coloured, but since hybridizing found in a variety of colours.
Pink
Shear (a sheep) so closely that the colour of the skin is visible
McFowler pinked every sheep and never drew blood
Carnation
A rosy pink colour
Pink
Cut a scalloped or zigzag edge on
I pinked the edge of the fabric
Carnation
(archaic) The pinkish colors used in art to render human face and flesh
Pink
Decorate
April pinked the earth with flowers
Carnation
A scarlet colour.
Pink
(of a vehicle engine) make a series of rattling sounds as a result of over-rapid combustion of the fuel–air mixture in the cylinders
The car was inclined to pink slightly in accelerating from a low engine speed
Carnation
Of a rosy pink or red colour.
Pink
Any of a group of colors reddish in hue, of medium to high lightness, and of low to moderate saturation.
Carnation
(archaic) Of a human flesh color.
Pink
Any of various plants of the genus Dianthus, such as sweet William, often cultivated for their showy, fragrant, usually pink, red, or white flowers. Also called dianthus.
Carnation
The natural color of flesh; rosy pink.
Her complexion of the delicate carnation.
Pink
Any of several other plants in the pink family, such as the wild pink.
Carnation
Those parts of a picture in which the human body or any part of it is represented in full color; the flesh tints.
The flesh tints in painting are termed carnations.
Pink
A flower of any of these plants.
Carnation
A species of Dianthus (Dianthus Caryophyllus) or pink, having very beautiful flowers of various colors, esp. white and usually a rich, spicy scent.
Pink
The highest or best degree
In the pink of health.
Carnation
Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors
Pink
Light-colored trousers formerly worn as part of the winter semidress uniform by US Army officers.
Carnation
A pink or reddish-pink color
Pink
The scarlet coat worn by fox hunters.
Carnation
Having the color of a carnation
Pink
(Slang)A pinko.
Pink
A small sailing vessel with a sharply narrowed stern and an overhanging transom.
Pink
Of the color pink.
Pink
(Slang)Having moderately leftist political opinions.
Pink
To stab lightly with a pointed weapon; prick.
Pink
To decorate with a perforated pattern.
Pink
To cut with pinking shears.
Pink
(regional) The common minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus.
Pink
(regional) A young Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, before it becomes a smolt; a parr.
Pink
A narrow boat.
Pink
(obsolete) A small hole made by puncturing something, as with a rapier, dagger, or pinking iron.
Pink
(obsolete) A small hole or puncture made by a sharp, slender instrument such as a rapier, poniard or dagger, or (by extension) a bullet; a stab.
Pink
(obsolete) A small hole or eyelet punched in a garment for decoration, as with a pinking iron; a scallop.
Pink
Any of various flowers in the genus Dianthus, sometimes called carnations.
This garden in particular has a beautiful bed of pinks.
Pink
(dated) A perfect example; excellence, perfection; the embodiment of some quality.
Your hat, madam, is the very pink of fashion.
Pink
(color) The colour of this flower, between red and white; pale red.
My new dress is a wonderful shade of pink.
Pink
Hunting pink; scarlet, as worn by hunters.
Pink
(snooker) One of the colour balls used in snooker, coloured pink, with a value of 6 points.
Oh dear, he's left himself snookered behind the pink.
Pink
(slang) An unlettered and uncultured, but relatively prosperous, member of the middle classes; compare Babbitt, bourgeoisie.
Pink
(slang) The vagina or vulva.
Pink
(historical) Any of various lake#Etymology 4 pigments or dyes in yellow, yellowish green, or brown shades made with plant coloring and a metallic oxide base.
Pink
To decorate a piece of clothing or fabric by adding holes or by scalloping the fringe.
Pink
To prick with a sword.
Pink
To wound by irony, criticism, or ridicule.
Pink
(intransitive) To become pink in color, to redden.
Pink
(transitive) To turn (something) pink.
Pink
(transitive) To turn (a topaz or other gemstone) pink by the application of heat.
Pink
Of a motor car, to emit a high "pinking" noise, usually as a result of ill-set ignition timing for the fuel used (in a spark ignition engine).
Pink
Of a musical instrument, to sound a very high-pitched, short note.
Pink
(obsolete) To wink; to blink.
Pink
Having a colour between red and white; pale red.
Pink
Of a fox-hunter's jacket: scarlet.
Pink
Having conjunctivitis.
Pink
(obsolete) By comparison to red (communist), describing someone who sympathizes with the ideals of communism without actually being a Russian-style communist: a pinko.
Pink
(informal) Relating to women or girls.
Pink job
Pink
(obsolete) Half-shut; winking.
Pink
A vessel with a very narrow stern; - called also pinky.
Pink
A stab.
Pink
A name given to several plants of the caryophyllaceous genus Dianthus, and to their flowers, which are sometimes very fragrant and often double in cultivated varieties. The species are mostly perennial herbs, with opposite linear leaves, and handsome five-petaled flowers with a tubular calyx.
Pink
A color resulting from the combination of a pure vivid red with more or less white; - so called from the common color of the flower.
Pink
Anything supremely excellent; the embodiment or perfection of something.
Pink
The European minnow; - so called from the color of its abdomen in summer.
Pink
To wink; to blink.
Pink
To pierce with small holes; to cut the edge of, as cloth or paper, in small scallops or angles.
Pink
To stab; to pierce as with a sword.
Pink
To choose; to cull; to pick out.
Pink
Half-shut; winking.
Pink
Resembling the garden pink in color; of the color called pink (see 6th Pink, 2); as, a pink dress; pink ribbons.
Pink
A light shade of red
Pink
Any of various flowers of plants of the genus Dianthus cultivated for their fragrant flowers
Pink
Make light, repeated taps on a surface;
He was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently
Pink
Sound like a car engine that is firing too early;
The car pinged when I put in low-octane gasoline
The car pinked when the ignition was too far retarded
Pink
Cut in a zig-zag pattern with pinking shears, in sewing
Pink
Of a light shade of red
Common Curiosities
What distinguishes pink as a color in cultural contexts?
Pink is often used to signify softness, femininity, and youth in various cultural and marketing contexts.
How are pink and carnations used differently in social events?
Pink is used broadly in decor themes, while carnations are specifically chosen for their symbolic meanings and use in floral arrangements.
What are the psychological effects of the color pink?
Depending on the shade, pink can have calming effects or be energizing and attention-grabbing.
Why might someone choose pink for decorating?
Pink is chosen for its soothing qualities and its association with romance and tenderness.
What special meanings do carnations carry?
Carnations symbolize different things based on their color; for instance, red for love, and white for luck.
Why are carnations a popular choice for Mother’s Day?
They are long-lasting, beautiful, and symbolize love and admiration, making them suitable for expressing affection on Mother's Day.
How do the uses of pink and carnations intersect in design?
Both are used to create visually appealing designs, with pink providing color and carnations adding texture and depth to floral arrangements.
How do carnations contribute to gardening or horticulture?
Carnations are valued in gardening for their aesthetic appeal and variety, enhancing the beauty of gardens and floral designs.
Can carnations be found in colors other than pink?
Yes, carnations come in multiple colors including red, white, yellow, and even green.
What is the significance of pink in fashion?
Pink has varied in popularity and symbolism in fashion, often associated with statements of style and identity.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
