Teal is a fascinating color that sits between green and blue on the color spectrum. Many people wonder whether teal should be classified as a green or a blue. The answer is not straightforward, as teal has qualities of both green and blue. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the origins and definitions of teal, examine its hexadecimal code, and analyze how it is perceived by the human eye. With this information, we can make an informed decision about whether teal falls into the green family or the blue family.
What is Teal?
Teal is a medium blue-green color that takes its name from the common teal bird. The word “teal” comes from the Old French “tele” meaning “dark blue-green color.” Teal first became known as a distinctive color in the mid-1600s. Prior to this, blue-green shades were often called “green” or “blue” without much differentiation.
Teal sits between green and blue on the color wheel. It is created by mixing blue into a green base or adding yellow to a blue base. The addition of blue-green paint pigments like viridian or phthalo green shifts a color toward teal.Certain green minerals like malachite and turquoise also produce a teal color.
Teal Hex Code
Colors on computer and web displays are defined using hexadecimal color codes. The hexadecimal code for teal is #008080. This code indicates teal is an equal mixture of red, green, and blue light.
Breaking the code down:
- 00 – No red
- 80 – 50% green
- 80 – 50% blue
With equal parts green and blue, teal sits directly between the two colors in the RGB color model. This positions teal as a true secondary color, halfway between the primary colors of green and blue.
Perception of Teal
Although the technical definition shows teal as an even mix of green and blue, our eyes don’t necessarily perceive it that way. The human eye is more sensitive to green light than blue light. This means teal often appears more green than its technical specifications would suggest.
Our surrounding environment also impacts how we see color. Teal will shift slightly towards green against a neutral backdrop. But when viewed against a blue background, the same teal may appear more blue-dominant. Our brain also tends to automatically counterbalance colors. So a teal object surrounded by reds may appear more green-tinged as the eyes compensate for the warm background.
Is Teal Considered a Green or a Blue?
Given its ambiguous nature, is teal classified as green or blue? There are good arguments on both sides:
The case for green:
- Teal sits between green and blue on the color wheel.
- Its hex code contains 50% green light.
- The human eye perceives it as more green than blue.
The case for blue:
- Teal is made by mixing blue and green.
- Many blue gemstones like turquoise naturally display a teal color.
- Teal gets its name from a blue-green bird.
Teal vs. Other Colors
Comparing teal against other colors can also help determine whether it fits best into the green or blue family:
| Color | Hex Code | Green vs. Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Teal | #008080 | Equidistant |
| Sea Green | #2E8B57 | Green-dominant |
| Turquoise | #40E0D0 | Blue-dominant |
| Aquamarine | #7FFFD4 | Blue-dominant |
Teal is the only color equally balanced between green and blue. Other blue-greens lean more strongly towards either green or blue. This supports the classification of teal as a true intermediate.
Teal in Color Systems
Looking at how teal is classified in formal color systems also provides insight:
- In the RYB (red, yellow, blue) color model, teal is considered a tertiary color made by mixing blue and green primaries.
- On the HSL (hue, saturation, lightness) wheel, teal sits between blue and green hues at 180 degrees.
- In the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) system for print, teal is made by mixing 100% cyan and 50% black.
- The Natural Color System used by scientists places teal in the blue-green color category.
While not definitive, these color models all point towards teal being an intermediary shade between green and blue.
Cultural Associations of Teal
The cultural associations and symbolic meanings of teal can also provide insight into its green vs. blue status:
- In color psychology, teal is associated with balance, harmony, openness, and intuition.
- It represents renewal and emotional healing in color therapy.
- In Western cultures, teal decor suggests sophistication, subtle wealth, and modernity.
- Teal gemstones like turquoise have significance in Southwest Native American cultures.
- Teal is associated with environmentalism and ocean conservation.
Many of these associations arise from teal’s connections to both water and nature. This dual relationship again highlights teal as a blend of the natural greens and aquatic blues.
Usage of the Word Teal
The actual usage of the word “teal” also holds clues about its green vs. blue status:
- In fashion, teal describes a range of blue-green shades used for clothing, accessories, and cosmetics.
- Cars, electronics, housewares and other products are often marketed in “teal blue” or “green teal” colors.
- The terms “teal green” or “green teal” occur more frequently than “teal blue” in written texts.
- Online color tools such as HTML color pickers categorize teal under both greens and blues.
The compound terms “teal green” and “teal blue” reinforce the dual nature of this color. But the greater usage of “teal green” suggests a stronger green association in common parlance.
Conclusion
Given its equal balance between green and blue, teal sits at the crossroads of both color families. But upon closer inspection, the evidence suggests teal is more aligned with the green side of the spectrum. While its technical definition may be equidistant, our perception is strongly influenced by the eye’s bias towards green. And references in culture, color systems, and language also tend to place teal under the umbrella of greens more often than blues. So when forced to choose one family for teal, the scales tip slightly towards green.
Yet perhaps the most accurate classification is to simply call teal a blue-green, honoring its liminal position between both color worlds. Teal’s very ambiguity is what makes it so rich in meaning. So instead of arguing green or blue, we can appreciate teal in all its subtle shades. As an equilibrium between land and sea, heart and mind, teal will continue reflecting our many states in between.