Ebony facts for kids

Ebony is a word that can mean a few different things! Most often, it refers to a special kind of wood that is very dark, almost black. This wood comes from certain trees, mostly found in warm, tropical places. Because of its deep, dark color, "ebony" is also used to describe a shade of black. You might also hear "Ebony" when talking about a famous magazine or even a popular song.

What is Ebony Wood?

Ebony wood comes from a type of tree that grows in tropical areas around the world. These trees belong to a group called Diospyros. The most famous type of ebony is often called Gabon ebony or African ebony.

Characteristics of Ebony Wood

Ebony wood is known for being very hard and heavy. It has a very fine, smooth texture. When polished, it can become very shiny. The most striking feature of ebony is its color, which is usually a deep, dark black. Sometimes, it can have streaks of brown or gray.

Uses of Ebony Wood

Because of its strength, beauty, and smooth feel, ebony wood has been used for many special items throughout history.

• Musical Instruments: It's often used for parts of musical instruments, like the black keys on a piano, or the fingerboards and tuning pegs on violins and guitars.
• Art and Carvings: Artists love ebony for making detailed sculptures and carvings. Its hardness allows for very fine details.
• Furniture and Decorations: Ebony is sometimes used for fancy furniture, decorative boxes, or small, valuable objects.
• Game Pieces: The black pieces in chess sets are often made from ebony.

Ebony as a Color

When someone says something is "ebony," they usually mean it's a very deep, dark black color. It's like the color of the wood itself. Think of a moonless night or a very dark shadow – that's the color ebony.

Ebony Magazine

Ebony is a well-known magazine that was started in 1945. It was created especially for African-American readers. The magazine shares stories about African-American culture, achievements, and important events. It has featured many famous people and has been an important voice for the community for many years.

"Ebony and Ivory" Song

"Ebony and Ivory" is a famous song from 1982. It was sung by two very popular musicians, Stevie Wonder and Sir Paul McCartney. The song uses the black ebony keys and white ivory keys of a piano as a symbol. It talks about how people of different backgrounds can live together in harmony, just like the black and white keys work together to make beautiful music.

Images for kids

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  Rough ebony wood

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  Ebony label depicting the pharaoh Den, found in his tomb in Abydos, circa 3000 BC

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  Elephant carvings from Sri Lanka, made from ebony

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  Ebony and ivory keys on a piano keyboard

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  A sculpture made from ebony

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  An ebony clothes brush

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  Chess set; the black pieces are ebony

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  Kamagong (ebony) chair

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  Planks of Gabon ebony (in front)

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  Violin fingerboard and tuning pegs, often made of ebony

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  A Les Paul Gibson guitar with an ebony fretboard

See also

In Spanish: Ébano para niños