Blue is one of the most popular and iconic colors. It is associated with calmness, stability, nature, and trustworthiness. But blue is famous for much more than just its soothing qualities. Throughout history and across cultures, the color blue has taken on many symbolic meanings and uses. Let’s explore some of the key things that blue is most famous for.
The Sky and Oceans
One of the most universal associations with blue is the sky and sea. The daytime sky and open ocean waters appear in brilliant shades of blue. This is due to the way sunlight interacts with the atmosphere and water molecules. The natural vivid blue color of the sky and oceans has inspired philosophers, artists, poets and musicians for centuries. It is often used to represent depth, stability, infinity, and calm.
Some key facts about the blue sky and oceans:
| The sky | Appears blue due to Rayleigh scattering – the scattering of sunlight off gas molecules in the atmosphere |
| The ocean | Reflects blue wavelengths and absorbs longer red wavelengths |
| Blue connotations | Depth, stability, calm, infinity |
The soothing natural blue shades of the sky and sea evoke a sense of constancy and permanence. Blue is strongly associated with these ethereal natural settings.
Coolness and Calm
Blue is famous for evoking feelings of coolness, calmness and tranquility. In color psychology, blue is considered a soothing, peaceful color. Looking at shades of blue has been found to lower heart rate and reduce blood pressure. The cool calming qualities of blue may be due to its links with water, sky and stable nature.
Some key facts about blue and calm/coolness:
| Heart rate | Lowered by looking at blue |
| Blood pressure | Reduced by blue environments |
| Calming effects | Blue has a calming reassuring quality |
Blue is strongly associated with restfulness and cooling – both physically and mentally. It has a pacifying effect on the human psyche.
Professionalism and Authority
Across many cultures, blue is considered to represent professionalism, authority and trustworthiness. The color blue has been adopted to convey professional dependability in many corporate logos, uniforms and branding.
Some common associations between blue and professionalism:
| Business suits | Blue is a standard color, denoting professionalism |
| Police uniforms | Most contain blue elements, linking to authority |
| Branding | Many major corporations use blue in logos |
Blue uniforms, suits and corporate identities take advantage of the color’s links with stability, calmness and security. It has an air of competence and reliability.
Depicting Sadness and Melancholy
While blue evokes calmness in some contexts, it can also convey sadness or melancholy. The phrases “feeling blue” and “singing the blues” refer to downheartedness and sorrow. In art, blue is often used to depict melancholy and despair.
Some key links between blue and sadness:
| “Feeling blue” | Common phrase meaning sadness |
| “Singing the blues” | Refers to expressing sadness in music |
| Picasso’s “blue period” | Melancholy blue paintings done after friend’s death |
So while blue is associated with stability and peacefulness, it can also call to mind loneliness and moroseness in some contexts. This may be linked to its cool, distanced qualities.
Symbol of Masculinity
Traditionally, blue has been viewed as a masculine color in many cultures. Light blue in particular is seen as representing boyishness and manliness. This may be partly due to its associations with calm dependability.
Some symbolic links between blue and masculinity:
| Baby boy clothes | Often blue to denote masculinity |
| Light blue | Considered a “boyish” color |
| Corporate branding | Light blues used to appeal to male preferences |
The masculine connotations of blue cross cultural boundaries. It is widely considered a male color and used in gender-specific branding and products.
Appetite Suppressant
Research has shown colors can impact appetite. In a phenomenon known as “sensory-specific satiety”, exposure to a color while eating leads to decreased appetite for that color-food link in the future. Of all colors, blue has the strongest appetite-suppressing effect.
Key research on blue and appetite:
| Tests | People exposed to blue while eating reduced subsequent blue food consumption |
| Effects | Blue light decreased appetite regulating hormones vs. other colors |
| Applications | Blue lights/plates may help limit overeating |
The cool, calming qualities of blue seem to have an extra impact on suppressing appetite. This effect may potentially be harnessed to help curb overeating.
Boosting Productivity
Exposing employees to the color blue has been shown to temporarily boost productivity in the workplace. Blue environments and computer screens lead to increased concentration, focus and alertness.
Key links between blue exposure and productivity:
| Office walls | Blue walls boosted productivity vs. white walls |
| Computer screens | Blue background enhanced concentration vs. green |
| Impacts | Increased alertness, focus and short-term productivity |
While research is still preliminary, the calming yet mentally stimulating effects of blue seem to give cognitive performance a boost. Many companies now incorporate blue hues in workplaces.
Boosting Creativity
Blue also seems to give creativity a lift. Exposing people to blue environments has been linked with boosting creative performance on tasks requiring innovation and imaginative thinking.
Links between blue and enhanced creativity:
| Tests | People exposed to blue generated more creative uses for objects |
| Brain activity | Blue exposure increased right-brain activity vs. red |
| Settings | Blue walls, lighting and computer screens boosted innovation |
The non-threatening cool nature of blue appears to stimulate free-flowing innovative thinking. Blue surrounds have now become popular in workspaces where creativity is key.
Symbolizing High Technology
Blue has become the color most associated with high technology and innovation. Soft blue tones are widely used in the branding, hardware and interfaces of leading tech companies.
Key tech links for blue:
| Iconic blue branding | |
| Intel | Famous blue logo |
| Hardware | Blue LED lights denote high-tech gadgets |
The dependable, calmly optimistic qualities of blue seem to resonate with cutting-edge technology. Blue = high-tech has become a cultural shorthand.
Conclusion
While blue has a long symbolic history, it remains one of the most influential colors today. It is associated worldwide with calm stability, professionalism, cool sadness, masculinity, suppressing appetite, enhancing performance and representing technology. The multifaceted color blue continues to have a major cultural impact and meaning.
