National Pink Day is observed annually on June 23rd in the United States. This day is set aside for the color pink and all it represents. First used as a color name in the late 17th century, pink is a pale red color which got its name from a flower of same name.
Dating back to the 14th century, “to pink” (the verb) means “to decorate with a perforated or punched pattern.”
It would have been curious to find pink used in fabric or decor during the Middle Ages. Occasionally it was seen in women’s fashion and religious art. In the 13th and 14th century, the Christ child was sometimes portrayed dressed in pink, the color associated with the body of Christ. Pink was mainly used for the flesh color of faces and hands during the Renaissance.
The Rococo Period (1720-1777) was the golden age for the color pink. Pastel colors became very fashionable in all the courts of Europe during this time.
Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764), the mistress of King Louis XV of France, was known for wearing the color pink, often combined with light blue. At one point in time, Ms. Pompadour had a particular tint of pink made specifically for her.
Pink ribbons or decorations were worn by young boys in 19th century England. The men in England wore red uniforms and since boys were considered small men, boys wore pink.
Pink became much bolder, brighter and more assertive in the 20th century and 1931, the color “Shocking Pink” was introduced.
Just for fun, here are some expressions using "pink":
In the pink – To be in top form, in good health, in good condition.
To see pink elephants – To hallucinate from alcoholism.
Pink slip – To be given a pink slip means to be fired or dismissed from a job. First recorded in 1915 in the United States.
Pink-collar worker – Persons working in jobs conventionally regarded as “women’s work.”
Pink Money – the pink pound or pink dollar is an economic term which refers to the spending power of the LGBT community.
Tickled pink – means extremely pleased.
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