Maroon Color Meaning

Q: What does Maroon symbolize?

Maroon primarily symbolizes power, ambition, seriousness, and deep commitment. Due to its historical ties to academia and the military, it is also associated with tradition, discipline, and high achievement. It represents controlled intensity and enduring quality.

Q: What emotions does Maroon evoke?

Maroon evokes feelings of maturity, strength, and grounded determination. It can feel solemn, ambitious, and intensely passionate but in a controlled, sophisticated manner. It is a color that encourages focus and respect from the viewer.

Q: What colors go well with Maroon?

Maroon pairs exceptionally well with neutrals like cream, ivory, and charcoal gray to let its depth shine. For richer palettes, combine it with jewel tones such as emerald green, deep sapphire blue, and gold accents for an opulent effect.

Q: How do you use Maroon in design?

Use maroon as a substantial background color in luxury branding or as an accent in interior design, perhaps on heavy drapery or velvet seating. In digital design, use it sparingly to denote seriousness or high value. Always balance it with white or light gray to maintain contrast and prevent the design from feeling too heavy.

Q: What is the hex code for Maroon?

The standard hex code for maroon is #800000. This hexadecimal value represents a deep, dark red shade that contains almost no green or blue light components, resulting in its distinctive, rich, earthy tone.

Q: Is Maroon a warm or cool color?

Maroon is fundamentally a warm color because it is a tint of red. However, because it contains significant brown undertones (which are neutral/earthy), it sits in a very balanced space on the warm spectrum, feeling less fiery than pure red but much warmer than purple.

Q: What is the relationship between Maroon and Burgundy?

Burgundy is often seen as a direct relative or slightly warmer, more vibrant variation of maroon, often leaning slightly more toward purple/blue than maroon's slightly browner cast. Both represent sophistication, but Burgundy is often associated specifically with wine.

A deep, sophisticated hue symbolizing intensity, power, and deep passion rooted in tradition and gravitas.

#800000

Light Theme

IntensitySophisticationPowerDepthTraditionGravitas

Color Formats

HEX:#800000

RGB:rgb(128, 0, 0)

HSL:hsl(0, 100%, 25%)

CMYK:cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 50%)

What Does Maroon Mean?

Maroon is a dark, brownish-red color that sits firmly between red and brown on the color wheel. Its name is derived from the French word 'marron,' meaning chestnut, which perfectly captures its earthy, substantial quality. This hue represents a mature, grounded form of red, stripping away the raw aggression of pure red while retaining its intensity and depth. It feels serious, intentional, and steeped in history. Naturally occurring maroon tones can be found in aged wine, dark berry skins, rich wood stains, and the earth during late autumn. This connection to the natural world contributes to its association with stability and authenticity. Unlike vibrant reds that demand immediate attention, maroon draws the observer in slowly, rewarding them with a sense of depth and unwavering commitment. Maroon resonates deeply because it embodies controlled passion and authority. It suggests refinement and tradition, making it a color of substance rather than fleeting excitement. It is often chosen when an entity wants to convey seriousness, high quality, and enduring significance.

Maroon Color Psychology

Positive Associations

AmbitionSeriousnessStrengthLoyaltyMaturity

Negative Associations

HeavinessSuppressionAggression (latent)Stubbornness

Psychological Effects

Maroon has a powerfully grounding psychological effect, encouraging introspection and focus. As a dark tint of red, it channels energy inward, fostering a sense of ambition and determination without the impulsive nature of brighter reds. It is often associated with deep, unwavering loyalty and established authority, making it feel trustworthy yet imposing. Physiologically, darker colors like maroon can sometimes create a feeling of weight or seriousness; while it promotes concentration, too much maroon can feel oppressive or melancholic if not balanced with lighter tones. It demands respect and communicates that the subject is significant and long-lasting, activating feelings of gravitas and established order in the viewer.

Maroon Symbolism & Cultural Significance

Western Culture

In Western culture, maroon is deeply entrenched in academia and military history, often serving as the color for prestigious universities (varsity colors) and signaling discipline and high standards. It is closely associated with wealth, deep passion, and the rich complexity of aged red wine.

Eastern Culture

In parts of Asia, deep reds carry strong connotations of good fortune, prosperity, and vitality. While brighter reds are more common for celebration, maroon often appears in formal or religious contexts, signifying deep respect, long-held customs, and powerful spiritual grounding.

Universal Symbolism

Universally, maroon symbolizes endurance and the earth's deep resources, stemming from its resemblance to iron-rich soil and aged wood. It connects to deep, foundational desires—survival, legacy, and enduring power—as opposed to fleeting excitement.

Historical Context

Historically, the pigments required to achieve a true maroon were expensive, limiting its use to royalty, the wealthy, and high ecclesiastical figures, cementing its association with luxury and exclusive power. In the 19th century, it became the color of academic robes and military uniforms, symbolizing high achievement, bravery, and institutional tradition. This historical association with esteemed bodies continues to influence its modern perception.

Using Maroon in Design

Interior Design

Maroon works excellently in formal settings like libraries, studies, or traditional dining rooms, adding richness and depth. Use it on dark wood furniture, heavy velvet curtains, or leather upholstery to convey luxury. Pair maroon with metallic accents like gold or brass, or contrast it with cool neutrals like slate or cream to keep the space from becoming too dark.

Graphic Design

In graphic design, maroon is superb for conveying authority, high quality, and tradition, making it ideal for law firms, luxury goods packaging, or formal event invitations. When using maroon in digital interfaces, it should primarily function as a dark background or strong accent, ensuring body text remains highly legible against it.

Fashion

Maroon is a sophisticated fashion choice, particularly popular in fall and winter wardrobes. It looks stunning in outerwear, tailored suits, or formal evening wear, often appearing richer and more universally flattering than bright red. It pairs exceptionally well with black, charcoal gray, navy blue, and neutral tones like beige or ivory.

Branding

Brands utilizing maroon aim to communicate reliability, seriousness, and deep expertise. It is highly effective for luxury automotive brands, financial institutions, high-end educational services, and classic spirits companies. It signals that the brand is established, powerful, and built to last.

Maroon Color Combinations

Complementary Colors

#800000

#007F80

The complementary pairing of maroon and deep green creates a rich, classic, and slightly festive contrast reminiscent of fine jewelry or deep forest shadows. This combination exudes opulence and tradition.

Analogous Colors

#800040

#800000

#804000

An analogous scheme using maroon, red, and burgundy builds an intensely warm and passionate palette. This monochromatic variation emphasizes depth and richness, creating a very cohesive, powerful visual statement.

Triadic Colors

#800000

#008000

#000080

A triadic combination involving maroon, a deep blue (like Navy Blue), and a warm yellow creates a balanced yet powerful scheme often seen in heraldry. This trio offers depth, seriousness, and a strategic pop of light.

What Maroon Says About You

Individuals attracted to maroon often possess strong inner ambition and a desire for substantive achievement rather than superficial recognition. They tend to be loyal, mature beyond their years, and value tradition and quality craftsmanship. While they may appear reserved, they possess deep passion and a strong sense of purpose that guides their decisions.

AmbitiousLoyalSophisticatedDisciplinedReservedPurposeful

Where Maroon is Used

Academia & Athletics

Maroon is frequently used as a primary school or university color, symbolizing tradition, academic rigor, and institutional pride. It establishes a strong, recognizable brand identity that lasts through generations.

Texas A&M UniversityWashington State UniversityHarvard University (used alongside crimson)

Luxury Goods & Spirits

Brands selling high-end goods, particularly aged wines, fine leather, or sophisticated accessories, use maroon to communicate quality, heritage, and exclusivity.

High-end Bordeaux winesClassic leather goods brandsPremium chocolate manufacturers

Automotive

In the automotive sector, particularly with luxury or classic car manufacturers, maroon suggests enduring style, engineering depth, and powerful, controlled performance.

Jaguar (certain models)Classic car restoration companiesBentley

Beauty & Cosmetics

Maroon is utilized for deep, dramatic lipsticks and nail lacquers, symbolizing mature allure, intensity, and timeless elegance in contrast to brighter, trend-focused colors.

MAC Cosmetics (certain shades)OPI (fall collections)Chanel beauty packaging accents

Color Variations & Shades

Lighter shades of maroon, such as dusty rose and mauve, soften the color's intensity, introducing romance and delicacy while retaining a vintage feel. Darker variations, like burgundy and Marsala, deepen the brown undertones, amplifying the sense of luxury, power, and dramatic sophistication. Moving towards the red side (crimson) increases passion, while moving toward brown increases stability.

Lighter Shades

#990000

#B30000

#CC0000

#E60000

#FF0000

#FF1A1A

#FF3333

#FF4D4D

Darker Shades

#660000

#4D0000

#330000

#1A0000

#000000

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Maroon symbolize?

What emotions does Maroon evoke?

What colors go well with Maroon?

How do you use Maroon in design?

What is the hex code for Maroon?

Is Maroon a warm or cool color?

What is the relationship between Maroon and Burgundy?

Related Colors You May Like

Maroon Color Meaning

Positive Associations

Negative Associations

Psychological Effects

Western Culture

Eastern Culture

Universal Symbolism

Historical Context

Interior Design

Graphic Design

Fashion

Branding

Complementary Colors

Analogous Colors

Triadic Colors

Academia & Athletics

Luxury Goods & Spirits

Automotive

Beauty & Cosmetics

Color Variations & Shades

Lighter Shades

Darker Shades

Related Colors You May Like

Burgundy

Marsala

Crimson

Brown