Is Navy a Shade of Green?
The color navy is a dark shade of blue that has a slight tint of green to it. Many people wonder if navy should be classified as a shade of blue or green. While navy appears somewhat greenish, it is generally considered a dark blue rather than a green color.
The Origins of the Color Navy
The first recorded use of the word “navy” as a color name in English was in 1840. It was used to describe the very dark blue color of the uniforms worn by officers in the British Royal Navy. The color was apparently chosen due to its similarity to the dark blue color of the ocean.
Prior to this, the term navy blue referred specifically to the blue color of the uniforms worn by enlisted sailors in the Royal Navy. Their uniforms were made from a coarse wool cloth called navy blue. The officers’ uniforms were made from higher quality wool dyed a much darker blue. This deep blue color soon became known as navy.
Navy Blue vs. Other Blues
Navy blue is considered a shade of blue rather than green for several reasons:
| Color | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Navy | #000080 |
| Blue | #0000FF |
| Green | #00FF00 |
– It sits next to blue on the color wheel. Green is on the opposite side.
– Its hex code #000080 contains mostly blue with a small amount of red and green mixed in. A true green would have much more green in the hex code.
– When visualized on the light spectrum, navy has a dominant wavelength closer to blue than green.
Navy’s Relationship to Blue and Green
Although navy leans slightly toward green, it remains firmly in the blue family. Here are some key ways navy compares to blue and green:
– Navy is a darker shade of blue. It has more blue pigment and less white added than lighter blues.
– Navy has a small amount of green mixed in, giving it a slightly greenish cast. But blue is still the dominant color.
– On the RYB (red, yellow, blue) color model, navy sits between blue and green. But it is much closer to blue.
– Navy has low saturation compared to pure blue. This makes it appear slightly duller and less vibrant.
– When navy is lightened by adding white, it becomes a medium blue. Adding more green would make it teal.
Is Navy More Blue or Green?
While navy has subtle green undertones, it continues to be categorized as a shade of blue due to:
– Its historic origins as a dark blue color associated with naval uniforms.
– Being recognized as a blue rather than green in most color classification systems.
– Greater overall visual similarity to blue than green. It is usually paired with other blues.
– Closer proximity to blue than green on the color wheel and light spectrum.
– Strong cultural associations with blue (oceans, uniforms, etc.) rather than green.
How Dark Can a Blue Be Before It’s Navy?
There is no definitive boundary where a dark blue becomes navy blue. However, most color experts say a blue crosses into navy territory when:
– It has a hue angle between 195-225 degrees on the color wheel.
– Its saturation decreases to around 20-30%.
– Its lightness or value drops below 25-30%.
– It takes on a slightly greenish cast while maintaining dominant blue tones.
– It reaches a shade dark enough to be confused with black in low light conditions.
Any blue that meets some or all of those criteria can reasonably be described as a navy blue. This typically occurs between the hex codes #00008B (dark blue) and #000033 (very dark blue).
How Navy Got Its Name
Navy became known as its own distinct color due to the British Royal Navy uniforms in the early 1800s. But navies have used dark blue colors since the Middle Ages due to:
– Blue dyes being more affordable than red or purple for mass military uniforms at the time.
– Blue clothing fading to a navy shade under the harsh sun and washing of shipboard life.
– The need for camouflage with the ocean environment when viewed from a distance.
The ubiquity of navy blue naval uniforms led to the color being named after the armed forces branch. Before 1800, the navy blue color was simply called deep or dark blue.
Use of Navy Blue in Uniforms
Navy blue remains popular for uniforms today due to its authoritative and professional appeal. It also hides stains and wear well. Some notable current uses of navy blue in uniforms include:
| Organization | Category of Uniform |
|---|---|
| U.S. Navy | Enlisted ranks |
| U.S. Air Force | Service dress |
| NYPD | Patrol officers |
| UPS | Delivery drivers |
Many airlines also use navy blue for flight attendant and pilot uniforms. Police forces of major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and London have navy blue uniforms. The color is also popular with security guard companies.
Navy Blue in Fashion
Beyond uniforms, navy has long been a staple color in fashion. It became especially popular for menswear in the 1920s and 1930s. Reasons for its frequent use include:
– Being versatile enough to work in any season.
– Pairing well with neutrals like gray and beige.
– Providing a slimming effect compared to lighter blues.
– Conveying sophistication and modernity.
Some classic fashion items that are commonly available in navy include suits, overcoats, blazers, trousers, pea coats, and the “little black dress”. J.Crew and Banana Republic are two clothing brands particularly known for their navy blue selections.
Navy Blue Cars
One product category where navy blue stands out as an extremely popular color choice is automobiles. Navy has been offered as an exotic, luxurious, or sporty paint color by brands ranging from Ford and Toyota to Jaguar and Porsche.
Some iconic navy blue car models over the years include:
– 1930 Cadillac V-16
– 1964 Ford Mustang
– 1976 Toyota Corolla
– 2010 BMW 5 Series
– 2017 Chevy Camaro
Car manufacturers say consumers often prefer navy for its classy, understated look compared to brighter blues. It is a commonly available color today on both economy and luxury vehicles.
Use of Navy Blue in Home Decor
Navy is widely embraced in home decor and design for its soothing, cozy effect. It works in many design styles from traditional to contemporary. Some favorite ways to incorporate navy blue at home include:
– Walls in dining rooms, bedrooms, and studies
– Upholstered chairs and headboards
– Bedding and pillows
– Rugs and carpeting
– Curtains and drapes
– Accessories like vases, pillows, and trays
Navy pairs particularly well with light woods, metallics, white, and pale neutrals like tan and gray. The color helps create an intimate, cocooning effect in darker rooms but also stands out boldly against pale backdrops.
Navy Blue Gemstones
There are a few gemstones that naturally display a rich, dark blue color evocative of the navy. These include:
– Sapphire – Corundum in darker blue shades
– Tanzanite – Only comes in blue/violet tones
– Azurite – A deep azure blue carbonate mineral
– Lapis Lazuli – Has gold flecks in its midnight blue hues
The most famous navy blue gem is likely the Hope Diamond, a 45.52 carat dark grayish-blue diamond with a distinctive navy undertone. Sapphires also commonly occur in navy shades. Jewelers may dye lighter blue gems to achieve a navy blue color.
Navy Blue in Nature
While not the most common color in the natural world, navy blue can be found in some striking plants, animals, and bodies of water. Some examples include:
– Indigo snakes – Glossy blackish-blue reptiles
– Blue tang fish – Bright navy tropical fish
– Navy blue butterflies – Rare tropical species
– Blue ponds – Waterways colored navy by minerals and algae
– Blue caves – Caverns with navy blue formations and pools
– Jacaranda trees – Produce blueish-purple flowers
The ocean also takes on a deep navy blue hue far off coastlines where the water is very deep. Navy blue is more unusual than lighter blues in nature, making its appearances quite dramatic.
Navy Blue Pigments and Dyes
Historically, navy blue fabric was dyed using indigo, a plant-derived blue pigment. However, most modern navy blue dyes and pigments are synthetic. Common types include:
– Indanthrone blue – Originally called anthra navy
– Phthalocyanine blue – A pigment first made in the 1930s
– Prussian blue – Invented 1704, an iron-based pigment
– Indigo – The traditional plant-based navy dye
Navy has also been mixed using other blue pigments like ultramarine, cobalt, and manganese together with black to create deeper shades. Today it can be easily mixed from primary colors.
Navy Blue in Culture and Society
Navy blue has developed many cultural connotations and associations through its history. Some examples include:
– Authority – From naval and police uniforms
– Masculinity – Often seen as a masculine color
– Professionalism – Used in offices and business wear
– Calm/Stability – Invokes feelings of composure and reliability
– Knowledge – Associated with education and academia
– Piety – Used in religious orders like Christianity
– Pride – Represents national pride in the military
– Mystery – Evokes the unknown like the depths of the sea
So while navy leans more semantically blue, it takes on its own distinct symbolic meanings different from other blues.
Conclusion
In summary, despite a hint of green, navy blue remains closest to blue on the color wheel and light spectrum. It is classified as a dark shade of blue across color systems, fashion, design, and culture. But the inclusion of subtle green tones gives navy a unique dual character between blue and green that sets it apart from other shades. So in both form and meaning, navy truly exists in an intriguing space between blue and green.
