encarnado

Encarnado is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese with several related meanings. It derives from encarnar, to incarnate, and commonly functions as an adjective meaning "incarnate" or "made flesh." In color descriptions it can denote a flesh-colored shade.

In religious and philosophical contexts, encarnado is used to describe the doctrine of the Incarnation, the belief that the divine took on human flesh. In Spanish-language liturgical and theological writing, phrases such as el Verbo se encarnó appear, translated as "the Word became flesh."

As a color term, encarnado historically referred to a flesh-tone color, often described as a pale pinkish-red. It has appeared in traditional color nomenclature and heraldry, though the exact shade varies by period and region; it is generally distinct from rojo (red) and rosado (pink).

Encarnado also appears as a surname and in place names within Iberian and Portuguese-speaking contexts. It may occur as a stand-alone surname or as part of longer toponymic or familial forms, reflecting the linguistic root encarnar.

See also: encarnación, incarnate, incarnation.