What colors are in the "Raw Sienna & Apricot Yellow +2" palette?

Raw Sienna & Apricot Yellow +2 contains 4 colors: Raw Sienna (#bb7125), Apricot Yellow (#ffdd00), Benzol Green (#00978d), Deep Lyons Blue (#1c4286). From Sanzo Wada's "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" (1933).

When was the "Raw Sienna & Apricot Yellow +2" 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 "Raw Sienna & Apricot Yellow +2" palette belong to?

Raw Sienna & Apricot Yellow +2 is associated with the showa era and emphasizes orange tones. Plate 247 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Raw Sienna, Apricot Yellow, Benzol Green, Deep Lyons Blue.

Can I use the "Raw Sienna & Apricot Yellow +2" 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.

Raw Sienna & Apricot Yellow +2 — The Dictionary of Color Combinations

About this combination

Combination 247 of 348 in Wada's six-volume 1933 work. A 4-colour grouping of Raw Sienna, Apricot Yellow, Benzol Green, Deep Lyons Blue, 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.

Export

One click — no signup, no watermark.

Details

Era: Showa
Dominant hue: orange
Moods: refined, warm, bold
Colors: 4

Accessibility

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

Strongest pair: Apricot Yellow on Deep Lyons Blue — 7.18:1 (AAA)

Raw Sienna·Apricot Yellow2.83:1Fail
Raw Sienna·Benzol Green1.06:1Fail
Raw Sienna·Deep Lyons Blue2.53:1Fail
Apricot Yellow·Benzol Green2.68:1Fail
Apricot Yellow·Deep Lyons Blue7.18:1AAA
Benzol Green·Deep Lyons Blue2.67:1Fail

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.

Embed this palette

Add this swatch strip to any blog post, Notion page, or website. It links back here automatically.

<iframe src="https://colorcombinations.org/embed/wada-247-raw-sienna-apricot-yellow/" width="320" height="80" frameborder="0" style="border-radius:6px;overflow:hidden;" title="Raw Sienna & Apricot Yellow +2 color palette — colorcombinations.org"></iframe>

Preview

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.

Read the article →

Other palettes in Color Palettes for Websites.

Heian era

Crimson & Navy— 紅と紺

Deep safflower crimson against navy — the courtly contrast of Heian-era robes and formal Edo textiles.

Edo era

Pale Blue & Vermillion— 浅葱と朱

The faded blue of Shinsengumi jackets against shrine-gate vermillion — restrained power.

Muromachi era

Celadon & Unbleached— 青磁と生成

Celadon pottery green beside the unbleached warmth of raw silk.

Edo era

Indigo Blue & Silver— 縹と銀

Mid-grade indigo with the quiet sheen of silver — an understated Edo merchant robe.

Muromachi era

Grass Yellow & Rikyū Grey— 刈安と利休鼠

Wild grass yellow tempered by the muted grey favored by the tea master Sen no Rikyū.

Heian era

Royal Purple & Silver— 紫と銀

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

See the full color palettes for websites collection →

Related combinations

Three palettes with a similar feel.

Showa era

Raw Sienna & Ivory Buff +2

Plate 243 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Raw Sienna, Ivory Buff, Olive Green, Slate Color.

Showa era

Raw Sienna & Pyrite Yellow +2

Plate 255 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Raw Sienna, Pyrite Yellow, Calamine BLue, Black.

Showa era

Vinaceous Cinnamon & Orange +2

Plate 256 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Vinaceous Cinnamon, Orange, Dull Viridian Green, Black.

Raw Sienna & Apricot Yellow +2

About this combination

Historical context

Embed this palette

Support the archive The full catalog, on your disk, as a thank-you.

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

Raw Sienna & Ivory Buff +2

Raw Sienna & Pyrite Yellow +2

Vinaceous Cinnamon & Orange +2