Blue is one of the primary colors and perceived as a constant in our lives. We speak about ‘blueprints’ and ‘out of the blue’. This color is strongly associated with sky and water. It is quite dominant in our lives, especially here in New Zealand where we are surrounded by the ocean and often see the blue sky.
The color blue is all about reliability, trust and dependability. The blue color of the sky is protecting us from harmful cosmic rays and the blue of the ocean has a calming effect on our emotions and reminds us to go with the "flow of life".
When there is no calmness, trust or faith in our life or when fear, doubt or uncertainty prevent us from having honest and open communication, we can become depressed and feeling blue. The color blue is related to our communication organs, voice and throat. It is important to voice and or speak your truth.
Every morning you choose to wear certain colors you feel like wearing. The colors you choose not only reflect how you are feeling but also reveal your personality, your condition and how you deal with life on a daily basis. Behind every color you wear there is a message and an emotion.
The color blue is worn very frequently, especially because of the worldwide use of jeans. The expression ‘blue jeans’ comes from the word blue de Gênes, or blue dye from Genoa.
People who predominantly wear the color blue are often reliable and faithful people for whom sincerity and integrity are important. Their friends and colleagues can depend on them and on their commitment. They will not only display these characteristics themselves, but also look for these in others.
Blue-wearers are often great communicators with leadership qualities and a creative mind. They enjoy problem-solving and have a practical approach to life which is sustained by logical thinking and an analytical mind. This color has a calming and soothing effect on others and teachers, diplomats, counselors, nurses and caregivers often appreciate and wear this color.
For those who predominantly wear the color blue, one of the challenges in their life is to maintain inner peace, especially in uncertain circumstances because they prefer to be in control.
Culture
Different cultures have different connotations with the color blue: Cherokees: defeat, trouble, represents the North. China: immortality. Iran: color of heaven and spirituality, mourning. Eastern: wealth, self-cultivation. Western: depression, sadness, conservative, corporate, ‘something blue’ in bridal tradition, baby boy. Astrology: Capricorn and Aquarius (dark blue), Virgo (light blue). Feng Shui: Yin, water, calm, love, healing, relaxing, peace, trust, adventure, exploration. Psychology: calming, lowers blood pressure, decreases respiration. Stained Glass (Dante): wisdom of God, the light of heaven, meditation, enduring loyalty and eternity.
Picture a calm blue ocean with a clear blue sky. A peaceful and quiet setting where you feel uplifted and calm. Its coolness slows us down, making us unwind and take life at a more leisurely pace. Blue is used in promoting and packaging products that are related to calmness or cleanliness but blue is not a color for food.
Product or company branding can use the color blue to express trust, reliability and communication skills. Jaundice in newborn babies is caused by the accumulation of a bile pigment called bilirubin in the blood. It is very common and generally clears up in a few days, but some babies may need phototherapy treatment. The baby is placed in an incubator and exposed to blue light. This breaks down the bilirubin, which then passes out of the body in the urine.
Humans are soothed and replenished when they view blue and there is some evidence that when blue enters our eyes, the brain sends out chemical signals that work as a tranquilizer. For this reason, many hospitals now use blue for surgeons’ and nurses’ uniforms and the walls of the operating theatre. People who suffer from insomnia can benefit from a blue light in the bedroom and sleeping under blue-colored sheets.
Domestic Interiors
The color blue is about protection and comfort and different hues of blue can enhance peace and calmness in a room, especially the bedroom, since this is the place where we want to switch of from the world and sleep peacefully. Blue can also be used in treatment rooms, bathrooms, relaxation areas, nursery and study if combined with warm colors. Avoid using blue in dining areas, cold or dark rooms and entertainment areas. Blue is a cool color and will give the impression that the room is cooler and larger.
Food
Blue and indigo food is soothing and tends to be cooling. These are blue foods: blueberries, blue plums, bilberries, blackberries, boysenberries, seaweed, chicory flowers, black cherries, black soybeans, brewer’s yeast, vanilla beans, wild mushrooms, black olives, juniper berries, raisins, prunes and some freshwater fish.
By Thelma van der Werff
Thelma van der Werff has had a lifelong interest in spirituality and first began working with color using the Aura Soma color system several years ago. Color coaching came out of her desire to make an awareness and knowledge of the power of color more easily accessible. She has self-published five books about her work: Why Are You Wearing Those Colors?, Dress to Impress, The Power of Colour in Black & White, Colour First Aid Book and most recently How to understand children through the colours they choose. - More info
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