The Colour Blue

The colour blue symbolises wisdom, infinity and eternity. It is associated with the Universe and divine existence. Sky blue - clarity of thought. The ancient Egyptians used this colour to depict truth, the essence of all things. It was also the colour of the goddess of heaven. American researcher F. Birren writes in his book "Color Symbolism": "The human body is red, the intellect is yellow, but the spirit is blue." The colour red symbolises hot, passionate love, while blue symbolises rather a cool love oriented toward spiritual relations. To the ancient Greeks the colour blue was associated with the heaven-gods Zeus and Hera, as well as the goddess of love Aphrodite.

Sky blue symbolises protection, peace and inspiration. It is the colour of the Virgin Mary, who in paintings is symbolically depicted in blue clothing. Blue is also considered the colour of the feminine principle and development.

Research has proven that the light rays of the colour blue can be used in treating various ailments. Under the influence of light blue, muscular tension and blood pressure are also reduced, and breathing is slowed. As a result of the influence of the colour blue, a person may even experience a reduction in the sensation of pain. In psychiatry the colour blue is recommended to reduce agitation and nervous tension. However, as with any colour, blue too should not be overdone. Prolonged oversaturation with the colour blue can cause apathy. Oversaturation with a colour occurs when a person is exposed to a colour for an extended period - for example, spending a long time in a room in which one bright colour dominates with few accents of other colours. Oversaturation usually occurs with vivid, bright, strong colours.

Dark blue, like light blue, lowers muscle tone and, if prolonged physical work is being done, can affect work productivity. The colour blue helps to restore strength after heavy emotional experiences. It expresses a striving for security and harmony, and is connected with self-analysis and introspection.

In nature the colour blue can best be felt in the blue of the sky and in the sea. While in nature and observing landscapes saturated with this colour, a person feels harmony, relaxes, and listens in to the sounds of the surrounding world and their inner world.

It has been established that the colour blue is liked by the majority of adults throughout the world. It suppresses the appetite least of all, it liberates the nervous system, and stimulates creative potential. Kandinsky acknowledged that blue is the deepest of all colours. The gaze seems to sink into it freely, meeting no resistance. It is the most immaterial of colours, the purest.

Dark blue blends surfaces well. Depending on the shade it can be either neutral or cool. Light grey-blue, light blue optically expands the space and distances planes. Greenish-blue creates an impression of depth and unreality.

Differences in meaning are observed in the characterisation and use of light or dark, dull or saturated colours. The adjacent colour is also important in its psychological influence on the perceiver. Let us look at how the presence of other colours affects the perception of blue:

blue + cherry red  - integration of personality in red, in critical situations allows one to trust oneself, to overcome the feeling of loneliness;
blue + green  - strengthens imagination and creative thinking, teaches one to freely express one's emotions and accept other people;
blue + yellow  - a calming, balancing combination, good for tense situations, provides new ideas;
blue + white  - creates a philosophical view of life, liberates from egocentrism, eases the learning process, calms impulsive people;
blue + pink  - a sense of being protected, allows one to realise one's creative intentions, balance, independence, intuition;
blue + red  - helps to maintain calm in crisis situations;
blue + violet  - lends clarity of thought, helps to plan and organise group work, allows one to resolve problems in relationships;
blue + lemon yellow  - balances the analytical and creative mind, helps to formulate feelings;
blue + orange  - allows one to understand mental processes, joy of creative activity, spontaneity, helps to keep pace with the times;
light blue + light pink - stimulates optimism, creates inner peace and the strength to realise one's artistic intentions;