Behind the scenes: secrets of the colour blue
Blue conjures the skies and the ocean, the mountains in the distance…
“The sky was a midnight-blue, like warm, deep, blue water, and the moon seemed to lie on it like a water-lily, floating forward with an invisible current.”
– Willa Cather
This article shares secrets behind the colour blue for our well-being, our imagination and our psyche. For good reason, blue is one of the most popular colours on the planet. Blue conjures skies and the ocean, the mountains in the distance. It represents introspective journeys, the colour of dedication and bravery. Blue is the symbol of wisdom and depth of understanding, of rest and insight, of safety and security. It signifies serenity and embodies constancy. However blue is also a colour of contrast. The colour is also a symbol of depression, sadness and the depths of the human psyche.
Physical effects of blue on health and well-being
Research has found people are more productive when they work in blue rooms. For instance, 2018 research findings in the journal Frontiers of Psychology found blue was conducive to study activity for university students. The same research also reported that respondents felt calmer in blue rooms.
Research into the colour blue has also been found to lower the heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.
Exposure to blue light can kill some bacteria and can also help whiten teeth. Seriously. Ask your dentist.
Mosquitoes are attracted to blue twice as much as to any other colour.
Research has found that eating food off a blue plate can help to suppress your appetite.
On feeling blue
Stormy can occur from time to time in our lives, creating potentially frightening, unsettling and scary associations. Blue can be icy, cold and impersonal. Sadness can be present. After conducting some research it turns out the phrase “feeling blue” has been used in both literature and western societies to describe feeling flat or depressed for over 200 years.
On blue in society
Ever wondered why police uniforms are often blue? Turns out that in ancient Rome, blue was worn by the public servants to denote their role. The wearing of this colour marked the beginning of the idea for today’s police uniforms. Who knew?!
Another fact for art lovers: historically, blue was one of the most expensive pigments for painters. Because of the cost, blue was only used for important subjects. In the Renaissance age for instance, the Virgin Mary was considered significant subject to paint. Artists would show this by painting her wearing blue robes, signifying her importance.
Blue and spirituality
For those who are interested in metaphysics and the spiritual side of colours, blue is the colour of the throat chakra (‘Visuddha’), representing knowledge, health and decisiveness. The Visuddha chakra is connected with hearing, speech and spiritual communication. Physically, the chakra is connected to the throat, neck, lungs, endocrine gland and hands.
About Kirstie Page
Kirstie Page is an Australian mixed media artist, classically trained musician and former dementia trainer with experience working on the front line in aged care. Kirstie creates beautifully colourful, uplifting artworks that incorporate her understanding of science and dementia to provide comfort and joy to people, including those living with dementia.
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