arXiv2026
We introduce the \emph{orbital bivariate chromatic polynomial}, which counts generalized vertex colorings of a graph up to the action of a group of symmetries. More precisely, adjacent vertices must either receive distinct colors from a set of $λ$ colors or may receive the same color from a distinguished subset of $λ-μ$ colors. This new graph polynomial simultaneously generalizes the orbital chromatic polynomial due to Cameron and Kayibi (2007) and bivariate chromatic polynomial due to Dohmen, Pönitz, and Tittmann (2003). We establish fundamental structural properties and derive explicit formulas for several graph families, including complete graphs, complete bipartite graphs, paths, cycles, and wheels. In particular, several of these results are new even in the special case of the orbital chromatic polynomial. For cycles, our results generalize Moreau's necklace polynomial and lead to a new generalization and proof of Fermat's Little Theorem.