Teal is an interesting color that seems to straddle the line between green and blue. While many people consider teal to be a shade of green, there is an argument to be made that teal should actually be classified as a shade of blue. In this article, we will examine the various perspectives on whether teal is considered a blue color or not.
Some of the key questions we will explore include:
– What is the technical definition of the color teal?
– How do color theory and color wheel models classify teal?
– How do paint companies and other color authorities categorize teal?
– What are some cultural and linguistic perspectives on teal?
– What are some situational contexts where teal takes on a more blue or green identity?
By thoroughly investigating these questions from multiple angles, we will have the information we need to definitively answer whether teal is usually considered a shade of blue or green.
The Technical Definition of Teal
From a technical standpoint, teal is defined as a medium bluish-green color. The name “teal” comes from the common teal bird, whose feathers exemplify this specific color.
Specifically, teal gets its RGB color code from a stronger presence of blue than green values. The RGB values for teal are:
– Red: 0
– Green: 128
– Blue: 128
As the green and blue values are equal in teal’s technical definition, it contains a balance of blue and green light. However, some color experts argue the slight increase of blue light still gives teal a stronger blue appearance.
Color Theory and Color Wheels
Looking at color theory and color wheel models provides more context on how teal is classified in color science.
On a traditional RYB color wheel, teal falls between the primary colors of blue and green:
| Red | Yellow | Blue |
| Green | Purple | |
| Teal |
Based on this color wheel, teal exists in the middle between green and blue, containing elements of both.
Modern color wheels based on RGB and CMYK coding systems similarly place teal between blue and green. However, teal typically skews closer to blue on these color wheels due to its slightly higher blue light composition.
Overall, color theory reinforces that teal is a blend of blue and green. But its technical specifications give it a stronger blue tilt.
Paint Company Classifications
Looking at how major paint companies categorize teal gives us additional practical insight into how this color is viewed.
At Sherwin-Williams, teal paint colors are classified under blues. Some examples of Sherwin-Williams teal paints include:
– Nebulous Teal
– Beach Glass
– Tradewind
– Blue Nile
Benjamin Moore also classifies teals under its blue family of paint colors, with names like October Mist and Watery.
Behr groups teal shades in both blue and green categories. However, teals under blues outnumber teals under greens by nearly two to one.
So while not unanimous, major paint brands tend to categorize teals as shades of blue more often than shades of green.
Cultural and Linguistic Associations
Looking beyond technical specifications, we can also examine how teal is viewed through a cultural and linguistic lens. This can provide insight into more colloquial associations with teal.
In many worldwide cultures, teal is strongly linked to blue shades over green. In Spanish, teal is described as “azul verdoso”, meaning bluish green. The French word for teal is “sarcelle”, relating it to dark blue shades.
In Japanese culture, teal is known as “ai-iro”, with “ai” meaning indigo or blue. The German word for teal is “blaugrün”, also grouping it with blue first before green.
In everyday English usage, describing something as “teal” evokes an image of a blue-green rather than emphasizing the green aspect. Saying an object is “teal colored” implies a stronger blue tone than simply saying it is “green”.
Contextual Variations in Teal
Despite generally skewing toward blue, there are certain situations where teal takes on more greenish associations:
– When printed on white paper, teal can look more green due to less blue light shining through the paper.
– On computer screens that are less color calibrated, teal may appear slightly more greenish.
– In interior design contexts, teal is sometimes paired with greens to achieve a “teal and lime” or “teal and sage” look.
– Teal gems and minerals, like turquoise, contain natural green hues that link teal more with green color imagery.
So while teal generally leans blue, its context can influence an object to read as more blue or more green.
Conclusion
Based on an evaluation of technical specifications, color models, paint classifications, cultural associations, and contextual variations, teal is more widely considered a shade of blue than green.
While teal consists of a balance between blue and green, its slight technical skew toward blue gives it a stronger blue identity. Teal paint colors are predominantly categorized with other blues. And in common usage across many languages, “teal” evokes a bluer color than simply saying “green”.
However, teal’s position between blue and green means it can shift toward green in certain contexts. Printed materials, computer screens, and mineral associations can make teal appear more greenish.
In the end, teal is best described as a blue-green or green-blue color. But if forced to choose between blue and green, teal is viewed as a shade of blue by a slight majority overall. So while teal has links to both, it is primarily considered a member of the blue family.