The colour blue

hibou_creations_the-colour-blue

To me, the colour blue resonates with holiday. Blue sky? It’s joy and happiness. Blue is probably the one colour I wear in many different shades. I do have a weakness for “bright blue”, HEX Code #0000FF). I also like wearing accessories in blue, such as earrings, necklaces, scarves or belts.

This colour is definitely the one I had most fun researching, as there are so many interesting random facts about it. For example, the colour blue is the least common colour in the foods we eat. I had never really thought of that but it’s true! Or birds can’t see the colour blue, owls are the only birds that can see blue… Owls? (HIBOU in French) How do they know this? It’s the colour most preferred by men, and women love it because men love it! Also, mosquitoes are particularly attracted to the colour blue. One of my favorite gemstones is lapis lazuli, which is blue.

Facts

Blue is one of the three primary colours. It’s located between indigo and green on the spectrum of visible light. The modern English word blue comes from Middle English bleu or blewe, from the Old French bleu, a word of Germanic origin, related to the Old High German word blao (meaning shimmering, lustrous). It’s nature’s colour for water and sky, but is rarely found in fruits and vegetables.

Historically, blue was one of the most expensive pigments for painters. This meant that the colour was only used for important subjects. The first documented use of blue pigment is using blue azurite, a vivid deep blue naturally occurring mineral, used widely in ancient Egypt for decoration and jewellery.

Chakras

In the world of chakras, blue is the colour associated with the throat chakra. The throat chakra is the fifth of the seven chakras and is also called the Vishuddhi chakra, which translates to “pure” or “purification.” The center of the throat chakra sits right in between the collarbones, but it radiates all the way down to the heart and up to the third eye. Not surprisingly given its location, the throat chakra governs the mouth, jaw, neck, and throat, including the thyroid gland. The main energy of blue is communication and it is the colour used to soothe the soul.

Meaning, symbolism & cultures

Blue is the colour of trust and peace. It can suggest loyalty and integrity as well as conservatism and frigidity. Blue is the most universally preferred colour, perhaps for its very versatile qualities. Blue energy is pure, soothing, calming, and healing. Blue is also at the cooler end of the spectrum, where things slow down, allowing you to take time to be still. In western cultures, blue is often associated with sadness, hence the expression “feeling blue”. In South Korea it’s the colour for mourning. In Japan, it’s the colour of fidelity and good luck.

Wearing blue

Wearing blue helps create a place of calm and serenity. Blue encourages you to remain focused. It’s a good colour to wear if you want others to consider you knowledgeable, trustworthy and reliable. A recommended colour for interviews. However, too much blue can make you appear cold and distant.