What could be more perfect than the colour Pink? June 23 is a day that celebrates all things Pink. Unique shades of pink are found in nature, from fruits and flowers to animals, including the pink flamingo (my favorite), to the rare pink hue that paints the sky.

Pink has taken on many meanings throughout history, art, literature, pop culture, and fashion. Pink has also played a part in our childhood, i.e, pink for girls and blue for boys. However, in the 19th century, pink was for boys, as it was a lighter colour of red, a powerful colour, and blue for girls; this changed in the 20th century. It’s now an identifiable colour for girls, and according to my mother and Nordstrom, I was born for the colour pink.

Pink has a unique history, with the first reference of the colour starting with the Greeks (naturally), first in Homer’s Odyssey, then coined by a Greek botanist who described the colours of carnations. Throughout the centuries, pink has influenced different countries and cultures. Pink was popular in Japanese fashion, worn by both men and women; much of their fashion was also influenced by the pink cherry blossoms. Pink made its way to Europe during the 18th century, when the colour was made popular by Madame de Pompadour and influenced the fashion of the era.

Pink continues to be a popular colour in fashion; however, pink starts to pivot into entertainment through the 20th and 21st centuries with fashion icons like Marilyn Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. To Molly Ringwald in “Pretty in Pink,” an 80s classic. Another Pink fashion icon we must acknowledge is Jackie Kennedy, dressed in her Chanel pink suit that defined an era of luxury but also a pivotal moment in US history when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

All things “Pink” exploded again with Barbie and “The Barbie Movie,” so much so that it caused a global shortage of the signature colour.

Pink has taken on the meaning of being soft, elegant, feminine, luxurious, and healing. Many women who are in a healing era gravitate to pink or reclaim pink as their favourite colour. I can attest to this because after my divorce, I found myself surrounded with all things pink; my bedding, bathroom, wardrobe, and now my kitchen. I was starting over, and I wanted everything to be Pretty in Pink.

Pink has been prominent throughout history and has carried many meanings. Pink also promotes softness, warmth, and healing and that is something worth celebrating.

Happy National Pink Day 🎀