Maroon #800000

Maroon reads as sturdy and serious. It has red's warmth, but the darkness takes away the urgency, which is why it shows up in settings that want to look established: school crests, varsity jackets, law firm letterheads and leather-bound books. It feels dependable more than exciting, and that is often the point.

Many universities use it, including Texas A&M, Mississippi State and the University of Chicago, so in the United States maroon often signals school pride and alumni loyalty. Qatar's national flag is maroon and white.

In Tibet and other Himalayan regions, Buddhist monks wear maroon robes. There the color carries a religious meaning that has little to do with its Western, collegiate image, so the associations depend heavily on who is looking.

Maroon is a dependable deep accent for education, finance, wine and heritage brands. White and cream text are very readable on it, so it makes a solid header, footer or card background. Dark text on maroon fails, so avoid gray or black type on it.

It can look dated in tech or youth-focused products unless you pair it with something fresh, such as a pale pink. In fashion it is a fall staple in sweaters and knitwear, and in interiors it suits accent walls, rugs and upholstery.