Rigidized carbocyanine dyes including at least two nitrogencontaining heterocyclic nuclei with a nitrogen atom of each nucleus joined by a 5 carbon polyene chain, each heterocyclic nucleus also having the non-metallic atoms to complete, in combination with the two nitrogen atoms and the carbon atoms of the intervening polyene chain, a nucleus which is either 3,4,5a, 6,7,8-hexahydro-4aH-pyrano(3,2-c;5,6-c'')dipyridine or an analog wherein the member in the 5-position is alternatively one such as a sulfur atom, a nitrogen atom, a selenium atom, etc, are useful as spectral sensitizing dyes for silver halide. Since they are structurally rigidized, their absorption envelope is more selective, and they exhibit high stability in solution and an increased fluorescence efficiency when compared to similar, but non-rigidized dyes. The high degree of fluorescence makes these compounds advantageous also as textile dyes, plastics dyes and colorant dyes for related situations including cosmetics, e.g., nail polish, facial coloring compositions, lipsticks or the like. Additionally, these rigidized carbocyanine dyes are desirable as colorants for coatings like paints, lacquers and the like when dispersed or dissolved therein.