Pampas Gold

In southern Argentina, Perito Moreno Glacier calves into lakes whose suspended rock flour creates a dreamlike blue. The hue is cold and clear, like the breath of the end of the world. The outdoor brand Patagonia takes its name from this land.

Brazilian Yellow appears with green on the national flag, drawn from the family colors of Empress Maria Leopoldina. Its yellow rhombus holds a blue celestial globe, symbolizing order and progress, and becomes a byword for Brazilian passion during Carnival and the World Cup.

Siamese Gold is the soul of Thai Buddhist art. Thailand, the "Land of the Yellow Robe," has over 40,000 temples, nearly all gleaming with gold. Bangkok's Wat Arun and Chiang Mai's Wat Phra That Doi Suthep blaze with gold leaf. Thais believe applying gold to temples is the highest merit—devotees save for years to offer a single gold leaf.

Versailles Gold is the iconic color of French Baroque. Louis XIV's finance minister Colbert said, "Gold is the language of power." Versailles used staggering amounts of gold leaf—gilded statues in the Hall of Mirrors, gold reliefs in the throne room. The "Sun King" title itself implies gold—gold like the sun, center of the universe, as Louis was center of France.

Pharaoh Gold is ancient Egypt's symbol of eternity. Egyptians considered gold the "flesh of the gods"—sun god Ra's skin was golden. "Nubia" means "gold mine land" in ancient Egyptian. Tutankhamun's gold mask weighs 10.23 kg. Gold meant immortality—it doesn't tarnish, like the eternal gods. Pharaoh mummy masks were gilded so the pharaoh would have a divine golden body in the afterlife.

Saffron is one of India's most sacred colors. The top band of India's flag is saffron, representing courage and sacrifice. In Hinduism, Shiva is depicted with saffron skin, and Buddhist monks' robes originate from this color. Buddha chose saffron robes as the Middle Way. Saffron dye is more expensive than gold—the world's costliest spice and dye.