Blue, along with red and yellow, is one of the three primary colors that can be mixed to create various other colors. It is also extremely versatile and flattering for both men and women, making it a favorite among many people. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of blue in the following article.
1 Understanding Blue
Definition of Blue
Blue is one of the three primary colors, along with yellow and red. It is also known as cyan or azure. The English name for this color is “blue.” Blue has many different shades, such as dark blue, light blue, or sky blue.
An interesting fact about this color is that it is refracted by the human eye. When looking at a space or object that is blue, it will appear farther away, smaller, and deeper than other colors with similar characteristics.
Origin of Blue
In 1858, scholar William Gladstone, who later became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, noticed something peculiar about the history of blue in the development of civilizations. He pointed out that ancient Greek texts never mentioned the word for the color blue.
Subsequently, philosopher Lazarus Geiger also demonstrated the same in most human cultures of that time, where literature, the Bible, and fairy tales from China to Jewish culture lacked the existence of “blue.” This makes blue a color with a more special story than all the other primary colors that humans can see.
Ancient Egypt was the only civilization that named and understood the luxury and aesthetic value of this color. They were fascinated by the blue color of Lapis Lazuli stone and used it to create luxurious jewelry. The blue color became a symbol of wealth and was used in the creation of jewelry for the nobility and royalty.
During the Renaissance, these accessories, once symbols of status, were ground into an expensive pigment. From there, this color also entered the history of painting with famous artists such as Renoir and Van Gogh.
Returning to Greece, where they once could not name the color of the sea and the sky, now immerses itself in the blue. There, blue appears captivating and creates the characteristic charm of the Mediterranean. This color has enchanted countless people to Santorini, where they stand between the staircases by the bay, enjoying the deep and vast blue of the sea and sky and letting their souls wander through the windows adorned with romantic bougainvillea flowers.
Understanding Blue
Further Reference: Pantone Announces : Viva Magenta Red
2 Meanings of Blue
Meanings of Blue in Love
Those who love blue are people with artistic souls, refinement, and sensitivity. These individuals view love as an indispensable part of life, and blue represents gentleness, purity, and emotion.
- Dark Blue: Trust, intelligence, dignity.
- Light Blue: Purity, strength, independence, coolness (the meaning of this shade comes from the color of the sea, some of which are more tangible).
- Sky Blue: Peace, calmness, nobility, spirituality, vastness (the meaning comes from the color of the sky).
- Most shades of blue evoke feelings of trust, understanding, loyalty, and brightness. On the other hand, blue also represents depression in American culture.
Meanings of Blue in Love
Meanings of Blue in Design
Blue is a popular color, so you will rarely face rejection when using it in your designs. Moreover, using blue will make your design stand out, and its combination with other colors will make your design more creative. Blue is also the most used color by stylists, so you can find this shade everywhere.
Not too flashy yet still eye-catching, this hue is favored for its elegance, coolness, and soothing effect, creating a comfortable and peaceful feeling for the viewer.
Meanings of Blue in Design
Meanings of Blue in Feng Shui
Blue is the color of calmness, tranquility, and peace. From the clear blue sky to the shimmering waters of the ocean, blue always brings a sense of serenity and gentleness. According to feng shui, blue will maximize its potential if used in the bagua area of your home, such as painting a room blue in the east (for health), southeast (for wealth), and north (for career) directions.
Meanings of Blue in Feng Shui
Meanings of Blue in Culture
In Western countries, blue represents sadness and gloom. Additionally, it also stands for truth, safety, and righteousness.
Blue is also considered the color of boys, in contrast to Chinese culture, which considers it a feminine color. In many Middle Eastern countries, blue signifies safety, protection, and shelter. It symbolizes God, the supreme being, and immortality. Furthermore, some Latin American countries also view blue as a representation of health and wealth.
For Jews, blue is a sacred color, representing their gods. In Hinduism, it is the color of Krishna, the supreme god of Hinduism, representing love and joy.
Meanings of Blue in Culture
3 Using Blue in Daily Life
Choosing Blue Clothing in Fashion
In fashion, blue expresses strength in various shades, from pastel and turquoise to sapphire, navy, and cobalt. In reality, blue has 260 different shades, second only to green’s 295 and more than double the number of red (130) and orange (128) shades.
You can combine blue with white, black, gray, yellow, gold, green, orange, red, beige, pink, and other shades of blue to create a striking look.
Choosing Blue Clothing in Fashion
Choosing the Right Blue in Graphic Design
The color blue evokes a sense of trust, reliability, financial responsibility, and assurance. It makes people think of the sky and the sea, creating a peaceful and friendly feeling. If you are in the finance or banking industry, consider using blue in your logo as it conveys stability and trustworthiness.
Choosing the Right Blue in Graphic Design
Choosing the Right Blue in Feng Shui
According to feng shui, blue is associated with the Water element. Meanwhile, Metal gives birth to Water, so combining blue with Metal colors is an excellent choice.
Additionally, blue can also be combined with other Water colors. Specifically:
- Blue goes well with white, gray, silver, and black (Water colors).
- Blue should not be paired with dark yellow or brown (Earth colors).
Choosing the Right Blue in Feng Shui
The information above provides interesting insights into the color blue. Color adds emotion and meaning to our lives, and we hope you enjoyed learning about the significance of blue. Stay tuned for more articles exploring the meanings of colors in our daily lives!