Vermilion vs. Crimson — What's the Difference?

A vivid red to reddish-orange color.

Used in academic robes and insignias, representing achievement.

A pigment producing a brilliant red color, made from cinnabar.

Associated with nobility and power, historically derived from the kermes insect.

Associated with energy and passion in color psychology.

Conveys a sense of sophistication and depth.

Represents life and vitality in many cultures.

Symbolizes deep emotions and has religious significance in some contexts.

Historically valued for its intense color and brightness.

A deep, rich red color with a slight purple hue.

Vermilion (sometimes spelled vermillion) is both a brilliant red or scarlet pigment, originally made from the powdered mineral cinnabar, and the corresponding color. It is commonly used in Hindu culture, primarily by women, and was widely used in the art and decoration of Ancient Rome, in the illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages, in the paintings of the Renaissance, and in the art and lacquerware of China.

Crimson is a rich, deep red color, inclining to purple. It originally meant the color of the kermes dye produced from a scale insect, Kermes vermilio, but the name is now sometimes also used as a generic term for slightly bluish-red colors that are between red and rose.

A brilliant red pigment made from mercury sulphide (cinnabar).

Of a rich deep red colour inclining to purple

A vivid red to reddish orange. Also called Chinese red, cinnabar.

A rich deep red colour inclining to purple

See mercuric sulfide.

(of a person's face) become flushed, especially through embarrassment

Of a vivid red to reddish orange.

A deep to vivid purplish red to vivid red.

To color or dye (something) in the hue vermilion.

To make or become deeply or vividly red.

A vivid red synthetic pigment made of mercury sulfide, cinnabar.

A deep, slightly bluish red.

A bright orange-red colour.

Having a deep red colour.

A type of red dye worn in the parting of the hair by married Hindu women.

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The red skin of the lips or its border with the skin of the face.

(intransitive) To become crimson or deep red; to blush.

(obsolete) The kermes or cochineal insect.

(transitive) To dye with crimson or deep red; to redden.

(obsolete) The cochineal dye made from this insect.

A deep red color tinged with blue; also, red color in general.

Having a brilliant red colour.

Of a deep red color tinged with blue; deep red.

Having the color of the vermilion dye.

To dye with crimson or deep red; to redden.

(transitive) To color or paint vermilion.

To become crimson; to blush.

A bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulphide, obtained either from the mineral cinnabar or artificially. It has a fine red color, and is much used in coloring sealing wax, in printing, etc.

A deep and vivid red

Hence, a red color like the pigment; a lively and brilliant red; as, cheeks of vermilion.

Turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame;

To color with vermilion, or as if with vermilion; to dye red; to cover with a delicate red.

A variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge

Color vermilion

Of a vivid red to reddish-orange color

While both can be used in art, they serve different purposes due to their varying hues and emotional impacts.

Vermilion is a bright red pigment traditionally made from cinnabar, known for its vivid color.

Vermilion is a bright, orange-toned red, while crimson is deeper and has a purplish undertone.

Vermilion was historically made from cinnabar, while crimson was derived from kermes insects or synthetic dyes.

Crimson is a deep, rich red color with a purplish hue, often associated with nobility and power.

Crimson represents nobility, power, and in some contexts, the divine or deep emotions.

Yes, both colors have deep cultural significances, with vermilion associated with life and energy, and crimson with nobility, power, and sometimes spirituality.

Vermilion is commonly used in painting, decoration, and ceremonial objects.

Vermilion symbolizes energy, passion, and life in many cultures.

Crimson is prevalent in fashion, academia, and designs that aim for depth and sophistication.