The Meaning of Color: Blue
This restful color associated with creativity and spirituality is a favorite in the design world
In this series on the meaning of color, we’re looking at color from a wide range of perspectives: design, psychology, philosophy and nature. So far we’ve examined red, orange, yellow and green. This time we’re taking a deep dive into blue, the color of the oceans and sky. From the way it colors our world to how it’s used in our homes, let’s get to know the color blue a little bit better.
The color blue in feng shui. Blue is the color of the water element, relaxation and confidence. In feng shui, lighter blues and blue-greens represent youth, while deeper blues represent wisdom.
The color blue in nature. From the vast oceans to the sky above, blue is the color of our planet. Being surrounded by blue feels easy, natural and relaxing, calling to mind vacations by the beach or lakeside and leisurely afternoons spent looking at clouds. The mood of a particular blue depends on what is associated with that shade in nature: The aqua of the Caribbean feels easygoing, for instance, while midnight blue is as dark and mysterious as the starry night sky.
Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Blue From the Great Outdoors
Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Blue From the Great Outdoors
Blue and the chakras. If you’re into yoga or meditation, you may have heard of the chakras; in some forms of Buddhism and Hinduism they’re considered centers of energy in the body.
The chakras start at the base of the spine and go up to the crown of the head, with the lower chakras being more closely related to our physical bodies and the upper chakras more to our spirit.
The throat chakra, which is the first of the spiritual chakras, is associated with blue, and the third-eye chakra, located between the eyes, is associated with indigo (a hue between blue and violet).
The throat chakra represents communication and self-expression: speaking your truth and being seen and heard. The third-eye chakra represents our intuition, imagination and wisdom.
The chakras start at the base of the spine and go up to the crown of the head, with the lower chakras being more closely related to our physical bodies and the upper chakras more to our spirit.
The throat chakra, which is the first of the spiritual chakras, is associated with blue, and the third-eye chakra, located between the eyes, is associated with indigo (a hue between blue and violet).
The throat chakra represents communication and self-expression: speaking your truth and being seen and heard. The third-eye chakra represents our intuition, imagination and wisdom.
The color blue in design. Versatile and well-loved, there really isn’t a bad place to use blue in design. From classic blue and white palettes to the Haint Blue porch celiings of the Southern U.S., blue works indoors and out. Lighter blues, evocative of clear blue skies, feel more youthful and optimistic, while deeper blues tend to feel more serious and traditional.
It’s Meant to Be: 10 Ways with Blue and White
It’s Meant to Be: 10 Ways with Blue and White
Using blue at home. Blue works well as a wall color in a home office, bedroom or bath. As a cool color, it’s naturally suited to spaces where you want to create a feeling of calm. But you needn’t forgo blue in the living room — just balance it with a dash of a warm hue like orange or red.
How to Pick the Right Blue Paint
How to Pick the Right Blue Paint
The color blue and you. It seems that most of us tend to have a preference for either cool or warm colors. If you love cool hues like blue, don’t deny yourself! Blue paired with white and creamy neutrals makes for a wonderfully calming whole-house palette.
Where Are You on the Style Spectrum?
Where Are You on the Style Spectrum?
Exploring further. Consider trying one of these explorations to deepen your color awareness:
Read more about designing with blue
- Take a walk outdoors (in nature or in your city) with your camera and snap pictures of all the blue things you see
- Visit your local bookstore and flip through design books, noticing how the color blue is used in designer spaces
- Visit a paint store and bring home some blue paint swatches
- Go on a color hunt in an art museum or gallery, searching for works that use blue
Read more about designing with blue
Color Magic: Tap Into Psychology to Better Use Blue at Home