Blue

A universal favorite of men and women, explore the meaning of this popular color, how to use shades of blue, subtle changes in symbolism from dark to medium to light blues, and colors that go with blue.

Shades of Blue: These words are synonymous with or represent various shades of the color blue: azure, baby blue, beryl, cerulean, cobalt, cornflower blue, corporate blue, cyan, indigo, midnight blue, navy, Prussian blue, robin's egg blue, royal, sapphire, sky blue, slate, steel blue.

In 1999 Pantone named the sky blue color of Cerulean as the color of the new millennium. Pantone selected the color Blue Iris as the 2008 Color of the Year telling us: "Combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple, Blue Iris satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement."

A natural color, from the blue of the sky, it is a universal color. Its cool, calming effect makes time pass more quickly and it can help you sleep. It's a good color for bedrooms. However, too much blue could dampen spirits.

Blue conveys importance and confidence without being somber or sinister, hence the power suit of the corporate world and the uniforms of many police officers. Long considered a corporate color, blue, especially medium and darker shades, is associated with intelligence, stability, unity, and conservatism.

Just as seeing red alludes to the strong emotions invoked by the color red, feeling blue or getting the blues represents the extremes of the calm feelings associated with this color, i.e. sadness or depression, lack of strong (violent) emotion. Dark blue is sometimes seen as staid or stodgy — old-fashioned.

In Iran, blue is the color of mourning while in the West the something blue bridal tradition represents love.

People describe How the color blue makes them feel

• A deep royal shade, indigo, or azure conveys richness and perhaps even a touch of superiority.
• Navy is almost black and is a bit warmer than lighter blues. Combine a light and dark blue to convey trust and truthfulness — banker's colors.
• Although it is a year-round color, pastel blues, especially alongside pinks and pale yellows suggest Springtime while deep blue is a colder weather color.
• Create a conservative but sophisticated look with subtle contrast by combining light and dark shades of blue.

Explore more specific shades of blue with color swatches and RGB values:

• Dark Shades of Blue Color Meanings
• Medium Shades of Blue Color Meanings
• Light Shades of Blue Color Meanings

• Mix the color of blue with green for a natural, watery palette.
• Add gray for understated elegance. light brown, tans, or beige are environmentally friendly color combinations.
• Throw in a dash of blue to cool down a hot red or orange scheme.
• Grab attention with the contrast of blue and yellow.
• Dark blue or navy with white is fresh, crisp, and nautical.
• Red, white, and blue is a patriotic color trio for many countries, including the United States.
• Use dark blue with metallic silver accents for an elegantly rich appearance.

This selection of Medium and Dark Blue Color Palettes feature 2, 3, 4, and 5 color combinations centered around dark shades of blue such as Navy, Dark Slate Blue, and Dark Cyan.

• Shades of Blue from COLOURlovers with HEX and RGB Codes
• Blue Color Palettes from COLOURlovers

• Feng Shui Use of the Color Blue
• Blue Master Bedroom Style
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• Graphics Challenge: The Color Blue
• Blue Wallpaper Printables for Miniatures
• Map Colors Yes, blue for rivers and lakes but also...

• azure
• baby blue
• beryl
• cerulean
• cobalt
• cornflower blue
• corporate blue
• cyan
• indigo
• midnight blue
• navy
• Prussian blue
• robin's egg blue
• royal
• sapphire
• sky blue
• slate
• steel blue

Good blue

• True blue - someone loyal and faithful
• Out of the blue - unexpected (could be positive or negative)
• Blue ribbon - first rate, top prize
• Blueblood - person of noble birth, royalty
• Bluestocking - well-read or scholarly woman
• Bluebook - register of socially prominent people
• The Blues (capitalized) - popular style of music sometimes characterized by melancholy melodies and words
• Baby blues - Blue eyes (also see Bad blue words)

• Feeling blue - feeling sad or depressed
• Blue devils - feelings of depression
• The blues (not capitalized) - depression, state of sadness
• Blue Monday - feeling sad
• Baby blues - post-partum depression
• Singing the blues - bemoaning one's circumstances
• Blue laws - laws originally intended to enforce certain moral standards
• Blue language - profanity
• Bluenose - puritanical individual
• Into the blue - entering the unknown or escape to parts unknown
• Out of the blue - unexpected (could be positive or negative)

Is Blue Your Favorite Color?

• Yes, I'm relaxed and confident in my choice of the color blue

• No, my favorite color is Green | Gold | Turquoise | Black | Purple | Pink | Red | Orange | Yellow