While most literary uses of “patriarch” denote a figure of authority, on rare occasions the term’s associations with age and gravitas lend it a subtle chromatic metaphor. In such instances authors suggest that the visual impression of a venerable, timeworn leader carries a distinct “hue”–an aura of weathered gray or hoary dignity reminiscent of ancient, storied traditions. For example, the depiction of an old patriarch with a “gray nose” in [1] and the “hoary” description in [2] evoke not only the character’s maturity but also an almost color-like quality that symbolizes endurance, wisdom, and the passage of time. This inventive blending of physical description and metaphor imbues the patriarchal imagery with a tonal depth that readers can “see” as well as understand.