Shades of blue

Color icon blue

RBG color wheel

Twenty hues of the Munsell color system at maximum chroma

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Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan

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Shades of Blue refers to the variety of colors that can be described as resembling the color of the sky or the ocean. The color blue itself is one of the three primary colors in traditional color theory, as well as one of the three RGB (red, green, blue) colors used in digital displays and color printing. The perception of blue is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 450–495 nanometers. Shades of blue vary in shade, hue, and brightness or lightness, ranging from near-black navy blue to the very pale baby blue.

Varieties of Blue

The following are some notable shades of blue, each with a unique hue, saturation, and lightness:

Navy Blue

Navy blue is a very dark shade of blue that takes its name from the dark blue worn by officers in the Royal Navy since 1748 and subsequently adopted by other navies around the world. It is a very formal, conservative, and traditional color.

Sky Blue

Sky blue is a color that resembles the hue of an unclouded sky around noon reflecting off a metallic surface. The entry of sky blue in dictionaries reads as a color that is similar to that of the unclouded sky.

Cobalt Blue

Cobalt blue is a bright shade with a slight tinge of green, derived from cobalt salts of alumina. It is used in ceramics (especially Chinese porcelain), jewelry, and paints. Cobalt blue has been used since ancient times for jewelry and paints, and it was especially popular in Chinese porcelain.

Turquoise

Turquoise is a greenish-blue color, based on the gem of the same name. The color is based on the mineral turquoise which is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum.

Teal

Teal is a medium to deep blue-green color. It is made by combining blue with a small amount of yellow, which adds green to the mix. Teal is associated with calmness and serenity.

Cultural and Psychological Aspects

Blue is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. Blue is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. In heraldry, blue is used to symbolize piety and sincerity.

Use in Design and Art

In design and art, blue is a popular color because of its calming effect. It is often used to create a sense of serenity and peace. However, different shades of blue can evoke different feelings. For example, dark blues, like navy, are excellent for corporate designs as they are associated with professionalism and reliability. In contrast, lighter blues can be more energizing and refreshing.

See Also

• Color theory
• Primary color
• RGB color model
• Color wheel
• Color psychology