Colour Symbolism .:. Blue

blue n 1 : a colour whose hue is that of the clear sky or that of the portion of the colour spectrum lying between green and violet 2 a : a pigment or dye that colours blue b : BLUING 3 a : Blue clothing or cloth b pl a blue costume or uniform 4 : one who wears a blue uniform: as a : a soldier in the Union army during the American Civil War b : the Union army 5 a : (1) : SKY (2) : the far distance b : SEA 6 : a blue object 7 : BLUESTOCKING 8 : any of numerous small chiefly blue butterflies (family Lycaenidae) 9 : BLUEFISH — out of the blue : without advance notice : UNEXPECTEDLY (a job offer that came out of the blue) -Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary

Blue is the hue of intellect, peace and contemplation. It represents water and coolness and symbolizes the sky, infinity the emptiness from which existence arises and to which it returns. To the Christians blue is the colour of the Virgin as Queen of Heaven and denotes fath, compassion and the waters of baptism. The ancient Greeks and Romans attributed the colour blue to Aphrodite and Venus, the goddess of Love. -The Secret Language of Symbols by David Fontana

Primary colour long associated with sky, heaven, peace and truth, it became the convention in icon painting to portray the Virgin Mary in blue robes. This is thought to be a continuation of a pagan belief that blue stones and glass could drive away demons, including the witch known as the evil eye. The same tradition survives today with the dressing of boys in blue, while their sisters are dresses in pink, symbolically the colour of earth and appropriately, of fertility. -Living Colours

The colour of Heaven, distance and water. It is usually experienced as transparent, pure, immaterial and cool. Blue is the colour of the divine, of truth and of fidelity, (in the sense of clinging to the truth, as well as with reference to the fixed firmament of heaven). Blue is the colour of the unreal and the fantastic — blue flower being the symbol of the romantic yearning for the infinite. -The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols

Long associated with the serenity of a clear, cloudless blue sky reflected over a calm sea, the light, mid and deep blues bring a feeling of respite and introspection – a quiet, cool permanence. The human mind embraces the concept of blue as tranquil and constant nad translates it into a symbolic images of dependability and loyalty. -Color: Messages and Meanings by Leatrice Eiseman

---

Blue has that eternal quality going for it. How many people do you know that say it is their favourite of all colours? I know many, granted most of them men, but I think that overall, blue is a colour (much like green) that holds an appeal for everyone.

What are your favourite blues? Denim? Cerulean? Powder? Sea? Summer Sky?

All artwork and photography by Liz Kalloch
Painting of Our Lady of Guadelupe by Karen Schmidt-Carbetta

Comments

[kelly]

blue is such an important color in my life. i named my company indigosoul and have received such interesting feedback, my dogs name is delilahblue.

hmmmmm.....favorite shade would be something more aqua like the ocean

[Swirly]

What a gorgeous blog and I love all the entries on blue. For a long time I thought you were a different Liz, so this is the first time I have visited your site, but I will definitely be back & add your site to my sidebar. Lovely lovely!!