What are Harvard's official colors and do they have any special meaning?
I was updating my college spreadsheet and got curious about Harvard's school colors. I think they're some type of red, but are there multiple shades, or an accent color too?
I'm also wondering if there's a story behind how they picked them, or if it's just random tradition. I'm planning on getting some merch for my cousin who's a big Harvard fan, and I'd like to pick something that's actually accurate to the school's brand.
Does anyone know the exact names or HEX codes? Or is it just called 'Harvard Crimson' everywhere?
I'm also wondering if there's a story behind how they picked them, or if it's just random tradition. I'm planning on getting some merch for my cousin who's a big Harvard fan, and I'd like to pick something that's actually accurate to the school's brand.
Does anyone know the exact names or HEX codes? Or is it just called 'Harvard Crimson' everywhere?
1 week ago
•
26 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 1 week ago
Advisor
Harvard’s official color is "Crimson." It's the one main color, and it does have a specific meaning and interesting history.
To start, "Harvard Crimson" isn’t just a general red—it’s a very specific deep red. This color is so closely tied to the university that their student newspaper and athletic teams are even named "The Harvard Crimson."
The story behind the color goes back to 1858. Two Harvard rowers, Charles William Eliot (who would later become Harvard’s president) and Benjamin W. Crowninshield, provided crimson scarves so spectators could spot their crew team during a regatta. The color stuck, and in 1910, after considerable student debate (where, interestingly, "magenta" was the other prominent contender), crimson was officially voted in as the school color.
So for your cousin’s gift, go with something in the deep Harvard Crimson (HEX #A51C30), and you'll definitely be on-brand!
To start, "Harvard Crimson" isn’t just a general red—it’s a very specific deep red. This color is so closely tied to the university that their student newspaper and athletic teams are even named "The Harvard Crimson."
The story behind the color goes back to 1858. Two Harvard rowers, Charles William Eliot (who would later become Harvard’s president) and Benjamin W. Crowninshield, provided crimson scarves so spectators could spot their crew team during a regatta. The color stuck, and in 1910, after considerable student debate (where, interestingly, "magenta" was the other prominent contender), crimson was officially voted in as the school color.
So for your cousin’s gift, go with something in the deep Harvard Crimson (HEX #A51C30), and you'll definitely be on-brand!
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years