The hexadecimal color #568203 is a deep, yellowish-green hue that sits firmly in the spectrum of "organic" tones. Often identified as Avocado Green or a variation of Olive Drab, this color is defined by a dominance of the green channel, a moderate amount of red to warm it up, and an almost negligible blue presence. It is the color of old moss, dense forestry, and mid-century design.
Technical Profile and Color Conversion
Below is the precise technical breakdown of #568203 across various color models.
| Format | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | 86, 130, 3 | Additive color model used for displays. High green, moderate red, very low blue. |
| CMYK | 34%, 0%, 98%, 49% | Subtractive color model for printing. Heavily reliant on Yellow and Key (Black) to achieve depth. |
| HSL | 81°, 95%, 26% | Cylindrical coordinate representation. The hue angle places it in the yellow-green range. |
| HSV | 81°, 98%, 51% | Alternative representation showing high saturation but medium value (brightness). |
History and Evolution
While this pigment has existed in nature for eons, the specific cultural relevance of #568203 peaked in the 20th century.
The "Avocado" Era
In the history of interior design, few colors are as iconic—or as divisive—as this shade. Along with "Harvest Gold" and "Burnt Orange," this specific dark yellow-green was the defining palette of the 1970s. It adorned refrigerators, shag carpets, and bathroom suites across the Western world. It represented a departure from the pastel 50s and the psychedelic 60s, moving toward an "earthy" aesthetic that mirrored the growing environmental movement of the time.
Military Application
Historically, shades almost identical to #568203 have been utilized in olive drab camouflage. Because this color mimics the shadows of foliage and the color of soil mixed with grass, it has been a staple in military uniforms and vehicle paint since World War II to reduce visibility in temperate and jungle environments.
Elemental Connections and Nature
This color is deeply rooted in the physical world, both chemically and biologically.
- The Periodic Table: The element most closely associated with the pigmentation of this color is Chromium (Cr). Specifically, Chromium(III) oxide ($Cr_2O_3$) is a stable, dull green pigment used in paints and roofing granules. It creates a "permanent green" that resists fading, closely matching #568203.
- Biological Occurrences:
- Botany: This is the color of chlorophyll in its denser states—found in the skin of Hass avocados, the underside of oak leaves in late summer, and wet moss on forest floors.
- Zoology: It is a common camouflage color for reptilian life, including the Green Iguana and various tree frogs, allowing them to blend into the canopy shadows.
Psychology and Mood
The psychological impact of #568203 is dualistic, depending largely on the context of its use.
Positive Attributes
- Stability and Grounding: Because of its heavy yellow undertone and darkness, this green feels solid and heavy. It implies reliability and a connection to the earth.
- Growth and Restoration: It is associated with deep nature, signaling a retreat from the artificial.
Negative Attributes
- Stagnation: Unlike bright lime greens which signal new shoots, this darker, murkier green can imply stagnation, swamp water, or decay.
- Sickness: In human contexts, a skin tone shifting toward this hue is universally recognized as a sign of nausea or severe illness.
Cultural Beliefs and Strange Associations
"Green is the color of bad luck."
Theater Superstition: There is a longstanding superstition in the theater world that wearing green on stage is bad luck. This specific shade, which resembles the natural dye obtained from plants, links back to this belief. One theory suggests this originated because Molière, the famous French playwright, died shortly after performing while wearing a green costume. Another theory is practical: in early stage lighting (limelight), green costumes often looked invisible or ghostly, ruining the performance.
The Arsenic Connection: In the Victorian era, a similar shade known as Scheele's Green was highly fashionable. However, it was made using copper arsenite—a compound of arsenic. The color was literally toxic, causing illness and death among the seamstresses who worked with the fabric and the socialites who wore it. While #568203 is a digital representation and non-toxic, the history of dark green dyes is inextricably linked to this chemical danger.
Current Uses
Today, #568203 has shed much of its "dated" 1970s reputation and is experiencing a revival in:
- Biophilic Design: Architects use this color to bring the "outdoors in," often as a feature wall color in offices to reduce stress.
- Sustainability Branding: Brands moving away from the "bright green" of early eco-marketing are adopting this darker, grittier green to signal serious, heavy-duty commitment to the environment (e.g., composting services, forestry conservation).
- Digital UI: It is frequently used as a "Success" or "Confirm" state button color, but usually in a slightly brighter variation to ensure text legibility.
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