Ebony
HEX: #555D50 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#555D50
85, 93, 80
96°, 13% ,36%
8.6, 0, 13.98, 63.53
About Ebony
Ebony (#555D50) is a color with RGB(85, 93, 80) and HSL(96.92°, 13.98%, 36.47%). It is commonly associated with Calm, Earthy moods. In design, it fits Muted, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Background, Border. Its complementary color is #58505D, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #50555D and #5D5055. The name comes from hbny (Ancient Egyptian), ἔβενος (ébenos - Greek), hebenus (Latin) (Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Latin).
- HEX: #555D50
- RGB: 85, 93, 80
- HSL: 96.92°, 13.98%, 36.47%
- Mood: Calm, Earthy
- Style: Muted, Cool
- Use case: Text, Background, Border
- Complementary color: #58505D
- Triadic colors: #50555D, #5D5055
- The name comes from hbny (Ancient Egyptian), ἔβενος (ébenos - Greek), hebenus (Latin) (Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Latin).
Live Components
Color Palettes
Color Harmonies
Complementary
The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.
Split-Complementary
Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.
Tetradic (Square)
Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.
Monochromatic
Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.
Shades & Tints
A seamless scale of #555D50 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The word 'ebony' has a long and rich history, tracing back to Ancient Egypt where 'hbny' referred to the dark, dense wood. This term was adopted into Greek as 'ébenos' and subsequently into Latin as 'hebenus'. From Latin, it evolved into Old French 'ebene' and then into Middle English 'ebony'. The wood itself has been highly prized for millennia for its durability, fine texture, and striking dark color, used in furniture, carvings, musical instruments, and decorative objects. Its association with darkness and richness has also led to its use in metaphorical contexts.
First Recorded Use
Circa 3000 BCE (referring to the wood/tree)
Cultural Associations
Ebony wood holds significant cultural value across various civilizations. In ancient Egypt, it was used for royal furniture and religious artifacts. In many African cultures, ebony trees are considered sacred and are associated with strength and protection. Its deep black color has also made it a symbol of elegance, luxury, and mystery in Western cultures, often contrasted with ivory. The term 'ebony' has also been used to describe a deep black color in general, and, controversially, as a descriptor for people of African descent, particularly in historical contexts, which carries complex social and racial connotations.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #555D50;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #555D50;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #555D50;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#555D50,
#60506A
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#555D50,
#60506A
);
}// SCSS variable
$ebony: #555D50;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$ebony-r: 85;
$ebony-g: 93;
$ebony-b: 80;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $ebony;
color: rgba($ebony-r, $ebony-g, $ebony-b, 0.8);
}