What is Pantone’s Color of the Year?
Many things come to mind with the end of one year and start of the next: resolutions, change, improvement, a fresh start, exciting new possibilities. Beginning a new year should feel thrilling and bold, a joyous opportunity to tackle new goals and find a renewed enthusiasm for life and happiness. With that in mind, Pantone’s new 2023 Color of the Year is particularly appropriate. Viva Magenta, as described by Pantone, is a bold shade of red that “vibrates with vim and vigor… expressive of a new signal of strength.” The shade is intended to convey joyful self-expression and passion for life.
After the rough years behind us, Viva Magenta seems like a refreshing way to welcome the new year with hopeful enthusiasm and renewed vigor. Though 2023 will undoubtedly come with struggles of its own (as Pantone states, Viva Magenta is “an unconventional shade for an unconventional time”), we can find strength and optimism within this unapologetically bold color.
What Does Magenta Look Like?
Aside from being stunning, magenta is a fun and unique color in that it doesn’t actually exist! At least, not on our visible color spectrum. This beautiful shade of purplish-pinkish-red is actually the combination of red and blue-violet with a total absence of green. Because our eyes are fitted with red, green, and blue-violet receptors, items that we perceive as magenta are actually triggering both our red and blue-violet receptors, leading to the purely psychological idea of magenta inside our brains. Cool, right?
Where can you find Viva Magenta?
This unique shade is a beautiful marriage of magenta, crimson, and fuchsia, all colors that are often found in nature. In fact, the Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, states, “In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.” To expand on Executive Director Eiseman’s statement, carmine dye (commonly used in cosmetics and responsible for the iconic red lipstick that was popularized as early as the 1880s, and is even rumored to have been used by Cleopatra herself) is derived from the cochineal insect. So Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year has some very real roots in nature (pardon the pun).
With or without its rich history and significance, it’s hard not to smile when encountering such a bright and happy color in the wild, so allow me to share some of my favorite nature elements that embody the Viva Magenta verve.
Tom-Thumb Fuchsia
Appropriately named, these beautiful blooms are a vibrant shade of pink/purple. Though they were first discovered on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, fuchsia plants have become quite common as houseplants all over the world and are commonly cultivated in hanging baskets to show off their beautiful weeping flowers. They’re also known as Lady’s Eardrop (another appropriate name!) and are wonderful for home gardens and sustainable landscaping as they attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.
Sakura Cress
These cute sprouts are a variant of Daikon Cress and are often paired with salads, sushi, and soups due to their peppery flavor and the fun splash of color they lend to culinary dishes. While this plant arguably is not found in nature (as it was cultivated by humans), it’s still a beautiful natural element to incorporate into dishes and vegetable or herb gardens.
Sunsets and Sunrises
Whether you’re an early bird or night owl, there’s something for everyone. While the colors of dawn and dusk change depending on the Earth’s orbit and atmospheric conditions, every now and then we’re lucky enough to glimpse a complex Viva Magenta sky.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Native to the western coast of North America, the male Anna’s hummingbird is blessed with a spectacular crest of iridescent magenta feathers. While only adult males feature this colorful crown, both sexes of the species also possess beautiful iridescent green feathers ranging from emerald to teal depending on the angle of the light.
Bougainvillea
You probably recognize this common vine plant, whose stunning and prolific blooms are often spotted framing doorways, fences, and trellises. But here’s something you probably didn’t know: bougainvillea flowers are edible! Use the blooms to add color to culinary dishes or cocktails, or even brew a cup of bougainvillea tea. Just avoid the plant sap, as it is mildly toxic.
Watermelon Radish
This variety of Chinese daikon radish is sweet and peppery, delicious in a variety of dishes from salads and sandwiches to tacos and crudité. Can’t find it in your local grocery store? Don’t worry, ordinary radishes come in a variety of shades, including red, purple, and magenta!
Magenta Dahlia
Though the magenta dahlia can range from light magenta to quite dark, this common perennial is still a beautiful choice for home gardens and symbolizes love and dignity. Though that’s not quite the theme of Pantone’s 2023 Viva Magenta, those are still wonderful virtues to take with us into the new year.
Magenta Celosia
As its name is derived from the Ancient Greek word for “burning,” this flame-like bloom perfectly embodies the fearless and powerful spirit of Viva Magenta. The celosia comes in a variety of brilliant hues like yellow, orange, and - luckily for us - magenta.
Coral
Coral is truly nature’s masterpiece. When it comes to size, shape, and color, coral knows no bounds. So, of course we shouldn’t be surprised that coral can be found in brilliant magenta. More important than their appearance, coral is the foundation on which countless organisms thrive, including humans. Sadly, coral is threatened by climate change and increasing human encroachment. To learn more about coral reefs, their importance, and how you can help, please visit Coral.org.
Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a tropical fruit. Contrary to what its fierce name might suggest, it has a mellow, sweet profile somewhat like a cross between a kiwi and watermelon. It’s great with smoothies, yogurt, or just eaten plain!
Prickly Pear
Though it can vary in color, the prickly pear is often spotted in a vibrant magenta hue. The prickly pear cactus also features yellow flowers, making it a colorful sight when spotted in North American deserts. Ripe prickly pears are sweet and juicy… just watch out for those cactus spines!
Beetroot
This underrated root offers a host of valuable nutrients, such as folate, on top of being a beautiful shade of magenta. It can be prepared in countless ways, such as boiling, pickling, steamed… and during the 19th century it was even used to color wines!
As usual, this is not a comprehensive list. There are so many incredible sights and colors available to us in nature. If you have some favorite magenta things, please share your thoughts and pictures in the comments below! And please don’t forget to share and subscribe if you enjoyed this content.
Thank you for joining us again this year. Your engagement means the world to us and we’re so excited to go into the new year with you. Happy holidays and a Viva Magenta New Year to you, may you welcome the coming months with fearless optimism and unrestrained joy.