Teal is a deep aqua-blue color that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The refreshing shade lies somewhere between green and blue on the color wheel, evoking a sense of balance and harmony. But what meaning and symbolism does the color teal hold?
Teal draws the eye and manages to be both invigorating and calming at the same time. While its uses span interior design, graphic design, fashion, and beyond, teal is often overlooked in favor of more traditional colors. However, its unique blend of cool blue and lively green gives teal an eye-catching vibrance.
In this article, we’ll examine the various meanings and symbols associated with the color teal. Understanding the color psychology and context behind teal can help you determine if and how to incorporate it into your own designs and life. From teal in nature to teal in branding, we’ll cover all you need to know about this magnificent medium shade.
The Origins and History of Teal
Teal has only been recognized as its own distinctive shade relatively recently. However, the history of this rich color connects back to ancient times.
The first known use of the word “teal” in English dates back to the late 1700s. However, it didn’t come into popular use to describe the specific greenish-blue color until the 1920s. By the 1930s, most dictionaries recognized teal as referring to a medium blue-green color.
While teal has more modern origins as a distinct shade, ancient peoples were still familiar with the striking blue-green colors found in nature. Glazes and dyes featuring teal-like shades appeared in Chinese and Greek art dating back to the 5th century BCE. In the Far East and Byzantine regions, artisans used mineral-based pigments like azurite and malachite to produce vivid blue-greens.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, dyeing fabrics certain colors became an intricate process with complex rules. Sumptuary laws dictated who could wear which colors based on social class and standing. Normal folk adorned themselves in earthy browns and greens, reserving vibrant shades like blue and purple for royalty. However, those with wealth and status found ways to incorporate teal by using mixtures of woad or pastel and indigo dyes.
The Meaning and Symbolism of Teal
So what does this refreshing and elegant shade represent in color psychology? Teal manages to encompass both warm and cool properties, striking the perfect balance between green and blue. This distinctive blend results in a color that takes on a wide spectrum of symbolic meanings.
Balance and Harmony
Sitting between a warmer and cooler shade, teal is the epitome of equilibrium. Just as teal blends the invigorating aspects of green with the calming aspects of blue, it represents a state of harmony in both the body and mind. Teal is an ideal color for spaces devoted to meditation, introspection, or spiritual growth.
Healing
Linked to balance and tranquility, teal is also associated with healing. Use teal in areas where you want to promote feelings of rejuvenation and renewal. Hospitals, medical facilities, and clinics frequently use teal due its soothing, therapeutic effect.
Open Communication
From a color psychology perspective, teal also signals openness in communication. The balance between warm green and cool blue means this shade can come across as both friendly and honest. Use teal to create an atmosphere of trust and transparency.
Femininity and Fertility
Teal has strong connections with feminine energy in cultures around the world. Many myths link teal shades to goddesses of fertility, including Astarte and Aphrodite. During the 15th century in Europe, teal became a color reserved for females of nobility about to be wed. Beyond weddings, include teal in spaces designed for female energy and empowerment.
Wealth
While for centuries teal was reserved for those of privilege, today it has associations with wealth and prosperity. From brand marketing to interior design, displaying teal demonstrates a refined sophistication and ambition. However, teal does this in a more subtle way compared to a bold metallic shade like gold.
Creativity and Innovation
Teal’s blend of warm and cool properties results in an invigorating color that sparks creative thinking. Use teal in workspaces where you want to inspire innovation or imaginative ideas. Teal encourages individuals to be both intuitive and focused in their thought process.
Tranquility
More than other shades of blue-green, teal has an especially peaceful essence. The fusion of calm blue with lively green creates a restorative equilibrium. Decorating with teal can promote tranquility and relaxation in the home. Hospitals also use teal to create environments facilitating healing.
Teal in Nature
While teal may seem like an unnatural color, it is actually prevalent throughout the natural world. Teal appears in minerals, plants, animals, and bodies of water. Understanding how teal manifests across nature provides deeper insight into its meanings.
Gemstones
Turquoise has been prized by cultures worldwide for thousands of years. The piercing blue-green stone takes on varying shades, frequently exhibiting the perfect balance of blue and green that defines teal. Azurite and malachite are two other minerals that acquire vibrant teal tones. In ancient civilizations like Greece and Egypt, these stones were turned into jewelry, cosmetics, and dyes.
Flora
Lush green vegetation takes on blue undertones when viewed at a distance or en masse. The blue-green color many plants exhibit when photographed up close also falls into the teal family. Tropical foliage, succulents, mosses, and algae showcase the stunning color teal can take on in the plant kingdom.
Fauna
While less common for fur and feathers, certain animal species reveal teal tones either externally or internally. For example, the teal-hued Carolina anole changes color as a form of communication. Meanwhile, a muscle protein called iridescent gives some beetles an inner teal glow. Underwater life including fish and coral display perhaps the most brilliant teal shades found in nature.
Bodies of Water
From lakes and rivers to oceans, many bodies of water around the world radiate dazzling teal shades. Aqua blue water blended with green plant life, minerals, and the sea floor results in gleaming teal tones. Tropical seas notorious for their crystal teal waters include those near Bahamas, Hawaii, and the Maldives.
The Use of Teal in Design
Beyond its natural origins, teal has become a popular choice for all types of design fields. Teal is versatile enough to blend well with many color palettes, without clashing or overwhelming. Let’s look at how teal is used in graphic, interior, and fashion design.
Graphic Design
In graphic design, teal works excellently for branding purposes. It is eye-catching without being garish. Teal logos and marketing materials give off a sense of trust and professionalism. Brands that have incorporated teal for instant recognition include Pepsi, Toyota, Starbucks, and more. Use teal to add a refreshing pop of color to any visual project. It works nicely when blended with neutral backgrounds or complementary shades of yellow, purple, and magenta.
Interior Design
For interior spaces, teal can create an uplifting yet tranquil ambience. It works well for accent walls, furniture upholstery, pillows and throws. However, use teal more sparingly on large surfaces, as it can become overpowering. Look for opportunities to balance teal with creams or warm woods. In bathrooms and kitchens, teal comes across as rejuvenating. Overall, teal adds a refined touch to any room with its hints of luxury.
Fashion
On the fashion palette, teal is a flattering color for many skin tones. It has become a popular color for bridesmaid dresses, cocktail attire, and everyday casual wear. Incorporate teal into wardrobes as an alternative to traditional blues and greens. However, also look for ways to use teal as an accent shade against neutrals like tan, gray, and white. Teal offers a color pop in scarves, shoes, bags and jewelry.
Teal in Branding
Today, many major companies leverage teal as part or all of their brand identity. The associations teal holds with balance, trust, and tranquility make it an ideal color for establishing brand personality and recognition. Let’s look at some of the top brands that have adopted teal, and what the color may signify for their brand.
| Brand | Industry | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Starbucks | Food & Beverage | Balance, Harmony |
| Pepsi | Food & Beverage | Balance, Tranquility |
| Dolce & Gabbana | Fashion | Femininity, Luxury |
| Tiffany & Co. | Luxury | Femininity, Wealth |
| Microsoft | Technology | Creativity, Innovation |
As shown in the table, while teal may signify relaxation and tranquility for food and beverage brands like Starbucks and Pepsi, fashion houses like Dolce & Gabbana use teal to evoke femininity and indulgence. Microsoft on the other hand leverages teal in its logo to stimulate creative thinking.
Ultimately, teal is a versatile branding color with broad appeal. It manages to be stimulating yet soothing, traditional yet modern. For this reason, teal should be considered strongly by companies across categories wishing to connect on an emotional level with consumers.
How Different Cultures View Teal
It’s important to understand how the meaning of teal can vary slightly across cultures. These differences arose both from the historical use of teal in various civilizations, as well as linguistic associations.
Western Cultures
Modern western cultures frequently associate teal with balance, tranquility, and healing. However, historically teal carried importance as a color marker for social status and wealth. Nobility in Europe wore teal garments made with expensive dyes. Brides chose teal dresses to symbolize commitment. Over time, the color became more democratized but maintained feminine connotations.
Eastern Cultures
In Chinese culture, teal ties to themes of immortality and spiritual healing. Jade, a teal precious stone, has held deep meaning for centuries. Teal also connects to fertility and new life in the spring season. During the Ming Dynasty, teal grew popular among Chinese royalty. Today, it signifies refinement.
Middle Eastern Cultures
Turquoise gemstones mined in Persia became a signature of kings and tycoons in the Middle East. The signature teal shade signified healing, protection, and prestige. Muslim countries associate teal with life, renewal, and divine power. Teal also represented the joining of heaven and earth.
Ancient Greece
While purple signified high royalty, ancient Greek aristocracy wore teal as a symbol of privilege and wealth. Greeks associated teal with Aphrodite, goddess of fertility and beauty. However, later teal was also used in murals depicting healing sanctuaries.
Ancient Egypt
Egyptians viewed teal as a restorative, heavenly color. The shade adorned the crown of Nefertiti, and lined the eyes of pharaohs. Teal gems were buried with mummies to accompany the journey into the afterlife. Teal also held meaning as a color of spiritual rebirth.
So while teal maintains some consistency across cultures, it also carries slightly distinct meanings tied to each region’s history and symbols. Keep these perspectives in mind when using teal in a global or multicultural context.
Teal in Gender Representation
Teal has significance both for female empowerment and genderqueer identity. As a balance between blue and pink, teal became an early symbol of breaking gender binaries. Looking at teal through the lens of gender provides deeper insight into its cultural impact.
Teal and Feminism
For centuries, teal conveyed privilege among noble females in many societies. Today, it maintains these feminine associations. The color represents fertility and growth, linking it to feminine energy. As a result, the color became adopted as one of unity among modern feminists. Teal is viewed as speaking to feminine complexity – both softness and strength.
Teal and Androgyny
Teal also comes to represent androgyny and gender fluidity. Sitting between masculine blue and feminine pink, teal strikes the perfect balance of the two. For those who identify outside of the gender binary, teal became an emblem of genderqueer communities. Teal conveyed the full spectrum of gender identity in a singular shade.
Teal Ribbons
In health initiatives, teal ribbons promote awareness of issues impacting female reproductive organs. This includes ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers. Teal ribbons also represent support for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and infertility. The color echoes feminine identity and women’s health.
So from unity to fluidity, teal remains an important representation of both womanhood and genderqueer identity today. The color became particularly significant in LGBTQ+ pride symbology as well.
Teal in Religion and Spirituality
Religious and spiritual traditions adopted teal early on for its connections to healing and the divine. Teal represents equilibrium between the body and spirit, between the earth and the heavens. Let’s explore the symbolism of teal across faiths and practices:
Hinduism
In Hindu tradition, teal relates to Anahata or the heart chakra. Located at the center of the body, this chakra bridges earth and sky. Teal also connects to fertility, water, and the goddess Lakshmi. It calls to mind the blue skin of divine beings.
Buddhism
Teal carries importance in Buddhism for representing wisdom, psychic powers, and enlightenment. It also symbolizes the hope for reincarnation after death. The color adorns Buddhist prayer flags, architecture, clothing, and artwork.
Islam
As mentioned, teal held prestige in Middle Eastern cultures. The jewel tones of turquoise gemstones from Persia related to Islamic art and architecture. The color maintains a heavenly connotation, used across mosque interiors and the exteriors of buildings.
Judaism
While less pervasive in the faith, teal connects to divinity and spirituality in Judaism. The color echoes the calm, sustenance found in worship. It also ties to fertility and God’s covenant with Abraham.
Christianity
For Christians, teal represented sanctity, healing, and protection during the Middle Ages. Stained glass windows featured teal tones, believed to ward off evil and repair the soul. Pilgrims carried teal amulets on their journeys.
So across most Eastern and Western religions, teal carries a common thread of healing, heavenliness, and the promise of rebirth after death. It bridges realms of body and spirit, humanity and divine. This spiritual symbolism leads teal to remain an important religious color today.
Teal in Politics and Activism
Political movements and social justice initiatives have taken ownership of teal as well. For these causes, teal represents balance, unity, fluidity and empowerment.
Suffragettes
During the early 20th century fight for women’s right to vote, American and British suffragettes wore teal badges as a symbol of solidarity. Teal struck the balance between gender norms of the era.
Sea Green Politics
Teal, or sea green, became associated with Green politics focused on environmentalism. The color echoes the natural greens and blues of the earth. Early Green parties across Europe adopted teal branding and visuals.
LGBTQ+ Pride
A gradient rainbow featuring a teal stripe represents LGBTQ+ communities, with teal specifically speaking to transgender rights. Teal echoes themes of gender fluidity within these spaces.
Disability Pride
The disability rights movement also adopted teal to symbolize self-sufficiency and independence with support. Teal briges accessibility and empowerment, making it ideal for disability pride imagery.
So while teal in politics is multi-faceted, it frequently relates to causes championing equality, freedom, and human rights. Teal banners at marches signal solidarity and unity behind these societal beliefs.
Teal in Healthcare and Wellness
Lastly, teal carved out an important niche within healthcare spaces focused on healing of body, mind and spirit. Hospitals, clinics, spas and fitness centers utilize teal for its restorative properties.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals, medical offices, and clinics paint walls teal to create a calm environment facilitating healing. Teal work uniforms and scrubs provide the same uplifting, therapeutic impact.
Self-Care Products
Beauty, skincare, and bath products increasingly adopt teal
