6 Longquan Celadon Glaze Colors: Plum Green, Fenqing & More
Longquan celadon is one of China’s most admired ceramic traditions, known for its jade-like surface, quiet elegance, and subtle variation. Its color is shaped by the glaze formula, glaze thickness, clay body, firing temperature, and kiln atmosphere, so no two handmade pieces look exactly alike.
In this guide, we explore six classic Longquan celadon glaze colors, from the deep green of Plum Green (梅子青) to the soft blue-green of Fenqing (粉青), and explain how to choose a shade for your tea ware collection.
The Six Classic Longquan Celadon Glaze Colors
- Plum Green (梅子青): rich, luminous green with a polished-jade effect.
- Fenqing (粉青): soft, milky blue-green with a calm, refined appearance.
- Pea Green (豆青): a warm green with a subtle yellow-green undertone.
- Moon White (月白): an exceptionally pale blue-green, almost white in some light.
- Pale Celadon (淡青): a light, delicate green-blue tone.
- Tea Green (茶青): a deeper, more subdued shade with an antique character.
1. Plum Green Celadon (梅子青)
Plum Green is widely regarded as one of the most celebrated Longquan celadon glaze colors. Named for the green of a fresh plum, it is recognized for its deep emerald-like tone, luminous surface, jade-like depth, and strong translucency.
When the glaze is thick enough, light moves through the surface and reflects within it, creating a soft but vibrant appearance. For many collectors, Plum Green represents the high point of Longquan celadon’s visual richness and Southern Song-inspired aesthetic.
2. Fenqing Celadon (粉青)
Fenqing has a softer, more powdery blue-green appearance than Plum Green. The color is often associated with the tranquil beauty of jade and the Song Dynasty preference for simplicity, balance, and natural elegance.
Its pale blue-green tone and gently hazy surface make Fenqing a natural choice for a minimalist tea setting. It is also closely associated with the Longquan Dong Kiln (弟窑) tradition.
3. Pea Green Celadon (豆青)
Pea Green sits between Fenqing and Plum Green. It is warmer than Fenqing, lighter than Plum Green, and often carries a subtle yellow-green undertone. The result is a natural, approachable color that reflects the traditional Chinese appreciation of shades found in nature.
4. Moon White Celadon (月白)
Moon White is an understated celadon glaze with an almost white appearance. Its extremely pale blue-green tone creates a cool, clean, and peaceful effect inspired by soft moonlight.
Compared with stronger green celadon glazes, Moon White feels more reserved. It works especially well for tea ware and interiors that call for quiet contrast rather than bold color.
5. Pale Celadon (淡青)
Pale Celadon represents a lighter range of green-blue glaze. Its fresh, delicate color and slight yellow-green undertone give it a youthful, natural appearance.
This lighter tone also helps show how Longquan celadon developed across different periods and kiln conditions. Its gentle color is easy to pair with modern interiors and contemporary tea settings.
6. Tea Green Celadon (茶青)
Tea Green has a deeper, quieter tone than Plum Green or Fenqing. Its darker, calmer appearance resembles aged tea leaves and gives the glaze an antique, grounded character.
This shade is particularly appealing to collectors who enjoy traditional, rustic, and time-worn aesthetics.
Other Longquan Celadon Glaze Variations
Firing is influenced by many natural variables, so historical Longquan ceramics can show a wide range of related colors, including:
- Grey Celadon (灰青)
- Iron Green Celadon (铁青)
- Rice White or Beige Celadon (米青)
- Grey Yellow Celadon (灰黄)
These variations are part of the appeal of handmade celadon. A single piece may shift subtly under different lighting, revealing the depth of its glaze and the individuality of its kiln firing.
Why Longquan Celadon Glaze Colors Are Special
Jade-like beauty
Longquan celadon translates the visual qualities of jade into ceramic art: purity, softness, depth, and harmony. The glaze is not simply a flat color. Its translucency and surface depth give each piece a gentle inner glow.
Natural variation
Unlike mass-produced ceramics, handmade celadon develops small differences during glazing and firing. You may notice changing shades, soft transitions, and unique kiln effects from one piece to the next.
Centuries of craftsmanship
Longquan celadon represents a long history of Chinese ceramic knowledge. Its restrained colors and refined surfaces express the Song Dynasty ideal of finding beauty in simplicity and nature.
How to Choose a Longquan Celadon Piece
Choose a glaze color based on the mood and setting you want to create:
- Choose Plum Green for rich green color, a luminous surface, and a more dramatic Song-inspired look.
- Choose Fenqing for soft blue-green tones, minimalist beauty, and a calm tea ceremony atmosphere.
- Choose Pea Green for a warmer, nature-inspired color with an approachable feel.
- Choose Moon White or Pale Celadon for subtle elegance, light interiors, and a quieter visual style.
- Choose Tea Green for a darker, more traditional tone with antique character.
Experience the Beauty of Longquan Celadon
From the deep brilliance of Plum Green to the quiet elegance of Fenqing, Longquan celadon shows how earth, fire, and human creativity can create timeless beauty. Each piece carries the character of its glaze, its firing, and the hands that made it.
Explore handcrafted Longquan celadon tea ware and bring the harmony of traditional Chinese ceramics into your tea ritual.
