Cyan

Green and blue make cyan

RGB color wheel

SubtractiveColor

Refill Ink Kit Color crop

Komplementärfarben cyan auf rot

Cyan is a color situated between blue and green on the visible spectrum of light. It is one of the primary colors in the subtractive color system, used in color printing, alongside magenta and yellow. In the RGB color model, used on television and computer screens, cyan is created by the combination of green and blue light. In the CMYK color model, cyan is one of the primary colors used in color printing, often referred to as process cyan or pigment cyan.

Properties and Use

Cyan is a color that can have a range of shades from light to dark. The word "cyan" is derived from the Greek word kyanos, meaning "dark blue substance," though the color it refers to in modern times is much lighter than dark blue. Cyan pigments were historically made by mixing copper and chlorine compounds, known as copper phthalocyanine, which are still used in making blue and green dyes and inks today.

In the context of color theory, cyan is considered a secondary color in the RGB color space and a primary color in the CMYK color space. It has a unique place in color theory due to its properties as a subtractive primary color. When used in printing, cyan ink is applied to paper first, followed by magenta and yellow, and finally black (key), to create a full spectrum of colors. This process is essential in the production of color photographs, books, and magazines.

Cyan in Nature

Cyan is not a color commonly found in nature in its pure form. However, it can be observed in certain contexts, such as the cyan-blue sky on a clear day or in some bodies of water that reflect the sky. Some minerals, such as turquoise and some forms of quartz, exhibit cyan or blue-green colors. In the animal kingdom, certain species of birds and fish display cyan coloring, either as a result of pigmentation or structural coloration, where the physical structure of the animal's surface causes light to be reflected in specific ways to produce color.

Cyan in Culture

Cyan has various cultural and symbolic meanings. In some cultures, it is associated with peace, serenity, and healing due to its resemblance to clear skies and clean water. However, its meanings can vary significantly between different cultures and contexts.

Safety and Health

Exposure to cyan-colored light at night has been studied for its potential effects on human health, particularly in relation to sleep patterns. The blue-green light can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, potentially leading to sleep disturbances. However, the impact of cyan light exposure is a subject of ongoing research, and conclusions vary.

See Also

• Color theory
• RGB color model
• CMYK color model
• Visible spectrum
• Pigment

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