Burgundy
#800020
Color Values
Color Meaning
Burgundy represents luxury, sophistication, and ambition. It's associated with wealth, power, and refined taste. Burgundy is a rich, deep color that conveys elegance.
Learn more on WikipediaFrequently Asked Questions About Burgundy
What two colors make burgundy?
Burgundy is made by mixing red with a small amount of blue and black. The result is a deep, purplish-red color named after the Burgundy wine region.
What's the difference between burgundy and maroon?
Burgundy has purple undertones from added blue, while maroon has brown undertones. Burgundy is richer and more wine-colored.
How do you make light burgundy?
Light burgundy is made by mixing burgundy with white, or by mixing red with very small amounts of blue and black and white.
The History of Burgundy
Burgundy takes its name from the Burgundy wine region of France, where the deep red wines produced from Pinot Noir grapes have been celebrated since the Roman era. The color name appeared in English in the 1800s, describing the deep red-purple of aged Burgundian wine. Historically, this color range was achieved through complex overdyeing — combining red madder with blue woad or indigo, then adjusting with iron mordants — a technically demanding process that made it expensive. Burgundy became associated with French aristocratic culture and fine wine culture more broadly. In academic culture, burgundy is the traditional color of Harvard University (officially 'Crimson' but functionally deep burgundy-red), and Harvard's adoption of the color contributed to its associations with elite education and intellectual excellence. The color gained 20th-century fashion prominence as a perennial autumn-winter staple.
Cultural Significance
Burgundy is deeply embedded in the cultural landscape of fine wine, French culture, and autumn sophistication. In wine culture worldwide, 'Burgundy' is a byword for the pinnacle of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — bottles from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti represent some of the world's most expensive wines, and their deep red-purple color is inseparable from the cultural identity of luxury wine. In academic culture, burgundy conveys intellectual seriousness and institutional heritage — it is one of the most common academic brand colors globally. In fashion, burgundy is the quintessential autumn-winter staple: burgundy coats, knitwear, and accessories are annual fashion staples that never feel dated. In Italian culture, burgundy (bordeaux) is associated with refined elegance and appears extensively in luxury leather goods and fashion.
Color Psychology
Burgundy is psychologically one of the most sophisticated and mature colors — it shares red's passion and intensity but deeply modulated by brown and blue into something richer, more controlled, and more complex. Research shows burgundy is perceived as serious, mature, refined, and authoritative — qualities that make it effective in professional contexts where red would feel aggressive. In consumer psychology, burgundy packaging and branding is strongly associated with premium quality, particularly in wine, food, and fashion sectors. Burgundy evokes autumn, warmth, and the sensory pleasures of food and wine — it is an inherently sensory color. Studies in brand perception show burgundy commands higher price expectations than red across most product categories, reflecting its association with aged quality rather than youthful energy.
Design Tips for Burgundy
Burgundy is a highly sophisticated design color when used with precision. The definitive burgundy (#800020) pairs classically with cream, gold, and forest green. For contemporary applications, burgundy (#881337 or #9F1239) with blush pink and warm gray creates a sophisticated editorial palette. In interior design, burgundy velvet upholstery or curtains against neutral walls creates dramatic, luxurious atmosphere. For branding, burgundy is excellent for wine, food, legal services, and luxury goods — it communicates heritage and premium quality. In web design, #9F1239 (Tailwind rose-800) or #881337 provides accessible contrast on white. Avoid using burgundy with purple or navy — the closeness in value creates muddiness; instead create contrast with cream, gold, or sage green. In fashion, burgundy with camel and black is a perennially elegant three-color palette.