Arsenic
HEX: #3B444B | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#3B444B
59, 68, 75
206°, 21% ,29%
21.33, 9.33, 0, 70.59
About Arsenic
Arsenic (#3B444B) is a color with RGB(59, 68, 75) and HSL(206.25°, 21.33%, 29.41%). It is commonly associated with Calm, Luxury moods. In design, it fits Muted, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Background, Border. Its complementary color is #4B423B, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #4B3B44 and #444B3B. The name comes from ἀρσενικόν (arsenikón) (Greek).
- HEX: #3B444B
- RGB: 59, 68, 75
- HSL: 206.25°, 21.33%, 29.41%
- Mood: Calm, Luxury
- Style: Muted, Cool
- Use case: Text, Background, Border
- Complementary color: #4B423B
- Triadic colors: #4B3B44, #444B3B
- The name comes from ἀρσενικόν (arsenikón) (Greek).
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 #3B444B from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The word 'arsenic' traces its roots back to ancient Greek. The Greek 'arsenikón' referred specifically to orpiment (arsenic trisulfide), a bright yellow mineral that was used as a pigment and was known to be poisonous. The 'arsen-' part of the word is thought to be related to the Greek 'arsēn' (ἄρσην), meaning 'male' or 'potent,' possibly due to its strong and toxic nature. From Greek, the term passed into Latin as 'arsenicum.' Medieval alchemists and physicians continued to use variations of this term. The modern English 'arsenic' evolved from these Latin and Old French forms. Historically, arsenic compounds have been used for various purposes, including pigments, medicines (despite their toxicity), and poisons. Its elemental form was isolated and studied more systematically during the Renaissance.
First Recorded Use
The term 'arsenikon' was used by ancient Greek philosophers and scientists like Theophrastus (c. 371 – c. 287 BC) to refer to arsenic sulfides, particularly orpiment, which was known for its yellow color and toxicity.
Cultural Associations
Arsenic has a long and complex cultural history, often associated with poison and death due to its high toxicity. It was famously known as 'the king of poisons and the poison of kings' because it was difficult to detect in food or drink before modern forensic science. In some ancient cultures, arsenic compounds were used in traditional medicine, often with dangerous results. Its distinctive yellow and red sulfide forms (orpiment and realgar) were also valued as pigments in art throughout history, from ancient Egypt to medieval manuscripts and Renaissance paintings. The color 'Arsenic' (#3b444b) itself is a dark, muted grey, which might subtly allude to the element's darker, more sinister associations rather than its bright mineral forms.
Similar Named Colors
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #3B444B;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #3B444B;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #3B444B;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#3B444B,
#5B493B
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#3B444B,
#5B493B
);
}// SCSS variable
$arsenic: #3B444B;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$arsenic-r: 59;
$arsenic-g: 68;
$arsenic-b: 75;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $arsenic;
color: rgba($arsenic-r, $arsenic-g, $arsenic-b, 0.8);
}