What Color Is Celadon Green?

What is Celadon Green?

Celadon green is a pale, grayish green color that has a slightly blueish cast. The name comes from the French word céladon, which refers to the pale green glaze used on Chinese porcelain dating back to ancient times (Merriam-Webster). Celadon glazes were developed and prized in ancient China and Korea for their delicate, soft color that resembled jade.

As a color, celadon green sits between gray and blue on the color wheel. It is muted and soft, lacking the vividness of brighter greens. It has more grayness than average sage greens but also contains a subtle blue tone that sage greens lack. Celadon green is paler and more subdued than mint greens.

Celadon green is considered a “cool” color due to its bluish cast. It has a tranquil, soothing effect and is often described as refreshing and restful.

Origins and History

Celadon originated in Chinese ceramics during the 10th century Song dynasty. The technique was developed by potters in southern China’s Longquan kilns who were looking for ways to create jade-like glazes in ceramics. They discovered that applying an iron-bearing glaze to their pieces and firing them in an oxygen-deprived kiln produced a range of soft, opaque greens that resembled jade.

The Longquan celadon glazes became famous throughout East Asia and were highly prized. According to Wikipedia, Longquan celadon “was widely distributed from China between the 10th and 12th century AD and many thousands of pieces have been excavated throughout East Asia.” The unique glazing techniques and pleasing colors made Longquan celadon one of China’s most recognized ceramic styles. Its origins in 10th century China established celadon as an important development in the history of ceramics.

Use in Decor and Design

Celadon green has become an increasingly popular color choice for home decor and design. Many interior designers are embracing its soft, soothing hue for paint colors, textiles, and furnishings.

As a paint color, celadon green adds a fresh, relaxing vibe to living spaces. Its grayish-green tone works well in a variety of design aesthetics from traditional to modern. Celadon green paint creates a soothing backdrop in bedrooms, living rooms, and studies. Popular paint brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer celadon green shades.

For textiles and soft furnishings like upholstery, curtains, pillows, and rugs, celadon green adds a pop of subtle color. It pairs nicely with neutral palettes and natural wood tones. Celadon green textiles help create a calm, zen-like atmosphere. Designers often incorporate celadon green linens and fabrics into Asian-inspired decor.

Overall, celadon green brings tranquility and character to interior spaces without overwhelming. Its versatility and growing popularity makes it a wise addition for those looking to embrace calming, nature-inspired hues.

Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/Kbp2comm/celadon-green-interiors/

Use in Fashion

Celadon green is a soft, muted green shade that has become popular in women’s fashion, particularly for dresses and accessories.

The pale green hue pairs beautifully with a variety of skin tones, making it a versatile choice for bridesmaid dresses. Celadon bridesmaid gowns offer a refreshing alternative to traditional colors like navy or blush pink.

Celadon also appears frequently in feminine blouses, skirts, and summer styles. The relaxing green shade evokes nature and complements florals and embroidery.

In accessories, celadon shows up in handbags, scarves, and jewelry. Its softness provides an elegant counterpoint to metallics like gold and silver.

Overall, celadon green’s calming vibe and flexibility make it a mainstay hue for modern women’s apparel and accessories.

Appearance in Nature

Celadon green often appears in nature in sea glass. The pale green hue bears a striking resemblance to sea glass found along coastlines around the world. The subtle blue-green celadon color mimics the faded, worn-down look of genuine sea glass that has been shaped and smoothed by years in the ocean. According to The Awl, the connection between celadon green and sea glass likely stems from ancient celadon ceramics that were lost at sea and over time evolved into the sea glass we find today. The muted blue-green celadon shade evokes tranquility and harmony with nature, much like finding a piece of sea glass along the shoreline.

Shades and Variations

Celadon green can range in appearance from grayish tones to very pale shades of green. The original celadon glazes from ancient China varied greatly in color, with some appearing almost blue-green and others more of a gray-green. Modern interpretations carry on this tradition of variation.

Some of the most popular shades today include:

• Grayed Jade – A blue-green gray with Benjamin Moore
• Spa Green – A very pale green from Behr
• Sea Salt Green – A blue-tinged pale green from Sherwin Williams
• Palladian Blue – A blue-green gray from Benjamin Moore
• Grays Harbor – A muted blue-green from Behr

Overall, celadon green hues range from pale, grayish blues to muted sea greens. The variations allow designers flexibility in creating peaceful, relaxed spaces. Whether leaning cool or warm, the gentle chroma of celadon green sets a tranquil mood.

Paint Colors

Some popular paint brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer specific paint colors that match the Celadon Green hue. According to the Benjamin Moore website, Celadon Green 2028-60 is a crisp, refreshing paint color with yellow and green tones. It has a light reflective value of 80.74, making it bright and airy. However, Benjamin Moore does not recommend it as an exterior paint color.

Another Benjamin Moore shade called Celadon Green is part of their Color Stories collection that features bold, saturated hues. Though not an exact match for the traditional Celadon hue, it serves as a lively, illuminating green. Specific paint codes allow designers and consumers to reliably recreate the Celadon Green look in their spaces.

Complementary Colors

Celadon green is a soft, pale shade of green that pairs well with a variety of colors that complement its grayish-green hue. Some of the most pleasing color combinations with celadon green include:

Neutrals – Celadon green looks beautiful when paired with neutral tones like white, cream, gray, and tan. These muted colors allow the subtle green tones of celadon to really shine. Celadon sofas or accent walls pop when placed against neutral backdrops (source).

Light blues – From powder blue to sky blue, light shades of blue harmonize elegantly with celadon green. The two colors have a soothing, peaceful effect when used together in decor or fashion (source).

Taupe – Earthy taupe is an ideal partner for celadon green. The pairing feels natural yet sophisticated. Try incorporating celadon and taupe together in textiles or wall paints for a cozy look.

Pastels – Soft pastel shades like lavender, peach, pink, and mint complement celadon’s airy, pale presence. Use pastels and celadon together to create an ethereal, romantic aesthetic.

When decorating with celadon green, focus on lighter accent colors that highlight its soft green-gray personality. Vibrant hues tend to clash with celadon’s subtle nature.

Cultural Significance

Celadon green has special symbolic meaning in many Asian cultures. In China, celadon wares were highly prized and associated with spirituality and meditation. The color evoked principles of harmony, tranquility and compassion in Confucian and Buddhist traditions (Wikipedia). Celadon green was thought to have restorative powers and the ability to detect poisons, due to its resonance with jade. In Korea, celadon ware represented refinement and nobility. The Goryeo period was named after the beautiful celadon ceramics produced at this time.

In Japan, celadon glazes were used to produce highly valued tea ceremony wares. The muted, earthy tones were appreciated for promoting calmness and simplicity in the ritual of drinking tea. Celadon products also had spiritual meaning, representing oneness with nature. For many Asian cultures, the allure and mystique of celadon continues today.

Celadon Green in Media

Celadon green has been utilized in various media over the years, including movies, television shows, and branding. Its soft, muted tone evokes a sense of tranquility and nature that production designers and art directors have capitalized on.

Notable examples of celadon green in media include the following:

• The film Marie Antoinette (2006) featured celadon green extensively in set design and costuming to reflect 18th century Versailles fashion. According to production designer Kave Quinn, the color added “a sense of freshness and nature” to the palace interiors (Source).
• In the TV show Friends (1994-2004), Jennifer Aniston’s character Rachel Green lived in an apartment with walls painted in a muted celadon green. It created a relaxing backdrop to the scenes.
• Starbucks has utilized celadon green in its branding since the early 2000s, including store interiors and packaging. The cool, bluish-green hue reinforces their eco-friendly values.
• Automotive brands like Toyota (Prius model) and Nissan (Leaf model) have offered celadon green color options for vehicles to emphasize environmental sustainability.

With its soft, peaceful qualities, celadon green appeals to art directors seeking to create serene settings and convey messages of ecological harmony. It has become a staple color in media over the past few decades.