What colors are in the "Apricot Orange & Olive Yellow +1" palette?

Apricot Orange & Olive Yellow +1 contains 3 colors: Apricot Orange (#f68c50), Olive Yellow (#a6a159), Deep Indigo (#051230). From Sanzo Wada's "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" (1933).

When was the "Apricot Orange & Olive Yellow +1" palette created?

This palette is from Sanzo Wada's 1933 reference work "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" (Seigensha Art Publishing 2010 reprint). Wada documented historical Japanese color combinations from the showa era and earlier periods. The source work is in the public domain.

What style or era does the "Apricot Orange & Olive Yellow +1" palette belong to?

Apricot Orange & Olive Yellow +1 is associated with the showa era and emphasizes orange tones. Plate 211 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Apricot Orange, Olive Yellow, Deep Indigo.

Can I use the "Apricot Orange & Olive Yellow +1" palette in my own design?

Yes. The source palette by Sanzo Wada (1933) is in the public domain. This page's curation and metadata are CC BY 4.0 licensed — attribution to colorcombinations.org appreciated but not required for the colors themselves.

Apricot Orange & Olive Yellow +1 — The Dictionary of Color Combinations

About this combination

Combination 211 of 348 in Wada's six-volume 1933 work. A 3-colour grouping of Apricot Orange, Olive Yellow, Deep Indigo, as documented in the original plates.

Historical context

This palette is inspired by the tradition of Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations, which cataloged combinations drawn from centuries of Japanese cultural life. The specific colors here use traditional shikisai names that have been in the public domain for generations.

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Details

Era: Showa
Dominant hue: orange
Moods: refined, warm
Colors: 3

Accessibility

WCAG contrast ratios between every color pair. Use the strongest combinations for text; the weakest ones make good decorative backgrounds.

Strongest pair: Apricot Orange on Deep Indigo — 7.74:1 (AAA)

Apricot Orange·Olive Yellow1.12:1Fail
Apricot Orange·Deep Indigo7.74:1AAA
Olive Yellow·Deep Indigo6.92:1AA

How to read this

AAA: Passes WCAG 2.1 AAA for normal text — the highest accessibility bar.
AA: Passes WCAG 2.1 AA for normal text. Standard production requirement.
AA Large: Passes WCAG 2.1 AA for large text only (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold). Avoid for body copy.
Fail: Below WCAG 2.1 AA. Fine for decorative use — not for text.

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From the editorial · Long read

Heian Court Color Theory: Kasane, Kinjiki, and the Seasonal Palette

How the Heian imperial court systematised colour into layered-robe combinations (kasane no irome), forbidden pigments (kinjiki), and a 12-month seasonal calendar.

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Celadon & Unbleached— 青磁と生成

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Edo era

Indigo Blue & Silver— 縹と銀

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Grass Yellow & Rikyū Grey— 刈安と利休鼠

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Heian era

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Imperial purple set against lunar silver — Heian courtly luxury at its quietest.

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Related combinations

Three palettes with a similar feel.

Showa era

English Red & Cerulian Blue

Plate 1 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — English Red, Cerulian Blue.

Showa era

Raw Sienna & Pale Lemon Yellow

Plate 3 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Raw Sienna, Pale Lemon Yellow.

Showa era

Orange & Glaucous Green

Plate 7 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Orange, Glaucous Green.

Apricot Orange & Olive Yellow +1

About this combination

Historical context

Embed this palette

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Heian Court Color Theory: Kasane, Kinjiki, and the Seasonal Palette

Crimson & Navy— 紅と紺

Pale Blue & Vermillion— 浅葱と朱

Celadon & Unbleached— 青磁と生成

Indigo Blue & Silver— 縹と銀

Grass Yellow & Rikyū Grey— 刈安と利休鼠

Royal Purple & Silver— 紫と銀

English Red & Cerulian Blue

Raw Sienna & Pale Lemon Yellow

Orange & Glaucous Green