Sumptuous Aztec Crimson

Latin sūmptuōsus, expensive — derived from sūmptus (expense). As a color modifier, sumptuous implies a saturated-and-rich-and-luxurious quality, the deep-rich color of Burgundy-and-Champagne-Court late-medieval silk-and-velvet livery in the Très-Riches-Heures manuscript tradition. Sits at the bold-and-saturated end of the grid, parallel to opulent and lavish.

Nahuatl Aztēcatl, one-from-Aztlán. As a color modifier, aztec implies a Mexica-and-Tenochtitlan-Imperial quality, the visual register of Aztec-Empire-of-Tenochtitlan hand-built basalt-and-obsidian-and-feather-and-codex Aztec-Imperial-and-Mexica-tribute surfaces under high-altitude Tenochtitlan Aztec-Empire central-Mexico mid-altitude light. Sits at the modifier-and-cultural end of the grid, parallel to inca and toltec in usage.

From the Old Spanish cremesin, itself from the Arabic qirmiz — the kermes scale insect, dried and ground into a brilliant carmine dye prized in the medieval Mediterranean. For centuries the most expensive red on a draper's shelf, reserved for cardinals, kings, and the cloth that gave English the word crimson. Cooler than scarlet, deeper than rose; the color of pomegranate seeds and a serious occasion.