Blue is often associated with the southwest region of the United States, which includes the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The blue skies, blue waters, and prevalence of blue in native art and culture leads many to believe that blue is a quintessential southwest color. However, the notion that blue is somehow intrinsically tied to the southwest is not entirely accurate.
The Southwest Landscape
It is true that the southwest landscape provides plenty of blue hues. The region is known for its clear, blue skies and bodies of water like the Gulf of Mexico provide blue coastal views. Lakes and rivers cutting through the southwest terrain also contribute blue hues. Notable blue bodies of water include the Pecos River in New Mexico, Lake Texoma on the Oklahoma-Texas border, and Lake Pleasant in Arizona.
The Southwest is also home to the Grand Canyon, which not only contains the blue ribbon of the Colorado River below, but also reflects hues of blue from the sky above. At sunrise and sunset, gradients of pink, purple, orange and blue fill the canyon walls. The depth and width of the canyon creates an immersive blue-sky experience.
So the prevalence of blue water and sky in the Southwest landscape lends itself to the association between the color blue and the region. But blue is not unique to the southwest; bodies of water and open skies can be found across the country and around the world.
Native Southwest Culture
Blue also plays an important role in traditional Southwest native art and culture. For tribes like the Navajo and Hopi, blue-colored corn is ceremonially significant. Indigo dyes from the indigofera plant were used by early Pueblo people to color blankets, baskets, and pottery.
The color blue also carried spiritual meaning for tribes like the Zuni, who associate the color with the direction West, where spirits go after death according to their beliefs. Turquoise jewelry and art has decorated native Southwest tribes for centuries. The blue-green turquoise stone holds considerable spiritual meaning.
While blue decorates native Southwest art and culture, it was not a color readily available to Southwest tribes historically. Traditionally, Southwest native art was dominated by earth tones, with blues and greens used more sparingly. Native Southwest cultures valued blue highly, but did not use it universally.
The Santa Fe Style
In the early 20th century, the Santa Fe style of art and architecture emerged, heavily influencing design in the Southwest. The Santa Fe style pulls inspiration from traditional native Southwest art and design elements like adobe construction. But it also incorporates more modern styles like Art Deco. And it makes prolific use of the color blue.
The bright blue skies of New Mexico inspired artists like Georgia O’Keeffe. Her paintings featuring blue skyscapes aligned with the Santa Fe style’s embrace of blue as a signature color. Architects in Santa Fe painted doors and exterior accents in shades of blue. Clothing and textiles in the Santa Fe style made blue a staple color.
The Santa Fe style increased the prominence of blue in the Southwest region significantly. But its central incorporation of blue is not necessarily reflective of authentic native Southwest culture and tradition. Rather, it represents a localized re-interpretation combining native and European influences.
The Psychology of Blue
Humans tend to view blue as a calming, tranquil color. Studies show people actually see blue light wavelengths for longer periods, making time appear to pass more slowly. Blue’s soothing psychological effects stem partially from its rareness and distance in nature—few plants and animals display true blue, and we associate the color with the distant sky and sea.
This calming influence likely contributes to blue’s popularity in the Southwest. The region’s laidback pace and peaceful atmosphere lends itself to colors with relaxing associations. And blue offers both a visual and psychological cooling effect that combats the Southwest heat. So there are practical reasons behind blue’s strong presence in the Southwest.
Blue in the Broader United States
Blue may be strongly tied to the Southwest, but it holds significance across the United States. Blue represents tranquility, stability, and patriotism. It channels optimism and trust, hence its common use by major U.S. companies and corporations. The prevalence of blue across the country reflects these positive associations rather than direct geographic or cultural links.
While blue enjoys popularity nationally, different regions have their own color associations as well. These reflect the local flora, fauna, and culture. For instance, green carries Irish heritage in the Northeast and Appalachia, purple evokes mountain blooms in the Rockies, orange embodies autumn in New England, and gold channels Pacific Coast sunsets. So blue is just one of many colors representing the diverse landscapes and cultures found in different parts of America.
International Associations With Blue
Looking internationally, blue holds deep cultural meanings across many societies. In China, blue symbolizes immortality and new beginnings. Egyptians considered blue lucky and protective. The high value of blue lapis lazuli in ancient times reflects blue’s prestige globally. Blue today retains positive worldwide meanings of trust, stability, wisdom, and calm.
However, blue actually carries contrasting associations in some cultures. For instance, blue symbolizes defeat in France, while in Iran it represents mourning and loss. Blue’s associations vary around the world based on local color preferences, availability of blue dyes and pigments, and specific cultural or religious symbolism. This complex global relationship with blue extends beyond any one regional tie.
Conclusion
In summary, blue has a noticeable visual and symbolic presence in America’s Southwest. This stems from the local geography, native cultural traditions, regional architecture and art, psychological associations, and practical benefits of using cool blue tones in a hot climate. However, blue maintains significance across the United States and internationally as well. Blue is globally tied to positive qualities like trust, stability, and calm. While the Southwest may foster a strong connection with blue, this color cannot be described as intrinsically southwestern. The ambivalent and complex cultural history of blue shows it has diverse and varied regional meanings. So whether blue qualifies as a quintessential Southwest color remains open to interpretation.
