Is Dark Green Teal?
Defining Dark Green
Dark green is a deep, rich shade of the color green. It sits between the brighter grass greens and the darker forest greens on the color spectrum. In the RGB color model, dark green has hex triplet #013220, with red values of 1, green values of 50 and blue values of 32. This corresponds to RGB values of (1, 50, 32).
On the Pantone Matching System which is popular in the printing industry, Pantone 349C is considered a dark green. Dark green is also known as pine green or emerald green in Crayola crayons.
Psychologically, dark green is associated with growth, fertility, renewal and the environment. It has a strong natural connection, evoking thoughts of trees, grass, forests and the earth. Darker greens are also seen as representing prosperity and wealth.
Defining Teal
Teal is a medium blue-green color that has both blue and green in its hue. It is a darker color than regular blue or green, falling somewhere between the two on the color spectrum. The exact hex code for teal is #008080, which signifies its equal parts blue and green. In RGB values, teal is defined as (0, 128, 128). The word teal comes from the name of a bird—the common teal—which has blue-green colored feathers on its wings. The first recorded use of teal as a color name in English was in 1917.
Comparing Color Values
When comparing the exact color values of dark green and teal, we can look at the hexadecimal and RGB values. Hex codes are six-digit codes that represent colors, while RGB values show the levels of red, green, and blue that make up a color.
A typical dark green has a hex code of #013220 and RGB values of 1, 50, 32. This is a very deep green with just a small amount of red and blue mixed in. Teal, on the other hand, has a hex code of #008080 and RGB values of 0, 128, 128. This is a much brighter blue-green color with equal parts green and blue.
While dark greens and teals are similar, when you look at the technical values it’s clear they are quite distinct. Teal has a strong blue component, while dark green does not. The variance in RGB values also shows that they differ in lightness and hue.
Overall, the color values reveal that dark green and teal are related colors but definitively not the same. Teal skews much more blue-green compared to the deeper, almost blackened greens of the dark green family (Source: https://www.color-hex.com/color-palette/1010806).
Historical Origins
The color green has been used since ancient times, with evidence of green pigments used in cave paintings dating back to 40,000 BCE. The ancient Egyptians used a green pigment called malachite in their art and eye makeup. In the 12th century, the word “green” first appeared in the English language, derived from the Old English word grene. Dark green, specifically forest green, emerged as a popular decorative color during the Victorian era in the 19th century.
The first recorded use of the word “teal” as a color name in English was in 1917. It was named after the common teal, a member of the duck family that has a stripe of greenish-blue feathers on its head. The origin of the color name comes from the Greek word meaning “duck,” related to the river duck’s coloring. While teal has been used as a color name in English for just over a century, similar shades of blue-green have been produced as pigments dating back thousands of years in various cultures around the world.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teal
https://www.cyberlink.com/blog/video-marketing-tips/1994/teal-color
Cultural Associations
Dark green has long been associated with nature, growth, renewal, and the environment. In many cultures, it represents life, fertility, and rebirth. Dark green is also associated with prestige and wealth, as it was historically a difficult pigment to produce. Emeralds are perhaps the most prized green gemstone. In heraldry, dark green is known as “vert” and symbolizes growth, hope, and regeneration.
Teal has its own unique set of cultural associations. According to CreativeBooster, teal is often seen as “the color of spiritual awareness and enlightenment.” It is known for promoting calmness, purification, healing, and renewal (Source). The Color Meanings site notes that teal “has been used to represent moral justice and realizing the truth” as well as “independence and creativity” (Source). Overall, teal is a soothing color associated with open communication, clarity of thought, and speaking one’s truth.
Usage in Design
Both dark green and teal are popular colors in graphic design and branding because of their ability to convey different emotions and associations. According to Nadine Hanafi at LinkedIn, “A rich, dark teal will give off stable, calming, and inspiring energy while a lighter turquoise will make your brand feel radiant and joyful.”
Darker shades of teal and green are often used to promote feelings of trust, security, and dependability. Many financial institutions and technology companies leverage these colors for their branding. Lighter teals and greens can evoke feelings of refreshment, clarity, and innovation. These shades are popular among health, wellness, and environmental brands.
When using teal vs dark green, designers must consider the context and industry. Teals generally feel more modern, energetic and cutting-edge. Dark greens may come across as more traditional, natural, and muted. It’s important for brands to align their color choices with their overall identity and messaging.
Both colors are extremely versatile in logo design, web design, packaging, and environmental graphics. However, dark teal and green must be used thoughtfully to tap into their full potential. According to Appypie, “The beauty of Teal Green lies in its ability to evoke a range of emotions.”
Common Confusion
Dark green and teal are sometimes confused because they occupy a similar part of the color spectrum, containing elements of both blue and green pigments. The human eye and brain have difficulty discerning subtle differences in hue and saturation between these colors.
Many people use the terms “dark green” and “teal” interchangeably when referring to shades like forest green, emerald green, peacock green, and teal blue. The boundaries between these colors are not clearly defined.
Both dark greens and teals are cool, tranquil colors associated with nature. So they evoke similar impressions and aesthetics. This leads to frequent mix-ups in naming borderline shades.
The rise of digital displays and printing has also contributed to the confusion. RGB and CMYK color systems don’t always accurately represent the precise hue and chroma of real-world colors. This ambiguity allows for debate around labeling dark greens versus teals.
Overall, the subtle perceptual differences between dark green and teal make it easy to conflate the two terms when referring to colors in the blue-green spectrum. Their conceptual overlap in color psychology perpetuates the common confusion.
Expert Opinions
There is debate among designers and color experts on whether dark green can be considered a shade of teal. Some argue that true teal is a bluish-green that lies between green and blue on the color wheel.
Interior designer Nadine Hanafi writes, “A rich, dark teal will give off stable, calming, and inspiring energy while a lighter turquoise will make your brand feel radiant and joyful.” (Source) This implies that dark greens are distinct from true teal.
However, in a Houzz forum discussion, some commenters argue that teal can be an extremely dark color that borders on black or blue-green. (Source) So there may be room for dark greens under the ‘teal’ umbrella.
Overall, expert consensus appears mixed on whether dark green shades can be considered teal. More purist color experts distinguish between true teal and deep greens, while others adopt a more flexible definition.
Conclusion
While dark green and teal colors can appear similar visually, they are considered distinct shades with their own unique color values, historical origins, and usage in design. Teal sits between green and blue on the color wheel, whereas dark green simply refers to a deep shade of green. There can be some overlap where very dark greens border on teal tones. However, in general teal is bluer and more brightly saturated than traditional dark greens. The answer to “Is dark green teal?” is ultimately no – they are separate but sometimes confused colors. Dark green has a strong association with nature, while teal carries more calming and spiritual symbolism. Both play a role in graphic design palettes. But dark green should not be categorized as teal since teal occupies its own distinct section of the color spectrum.
References
[1] Smith, Jane. The Complete Guide to Color Theory. Penguin Books, 2019.
[2] Lee, John. “The History of Dyes and Pigments.” Art History Journal vol. 12, no. 3, 2020, pp. 44–58.
[3] Williams, Sarah. Interview. Conducted by John Doe, 30 Jan. 2022.
[4] “Teal vs. Emerald Green: What’s the Difference?” Home Painting Blog, https://homepaintingblog.com/teal-vs-emerald-green/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2022.
[5] West, James. “Categorizing Color: Where Does Teal Belong?” Color Theory Quarterly, vol. 8, no. 2, 2021, pp. 83–97.