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Is indigo blue


What Color is Indigo? Blue or Purple?

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The color Indigo is a deep and rich color that is one of seven in the rainbow. But is indigo is more blue or purple?

The truth is, the color indigo is more blue. It is three-quarters blue and one-quarter purple.

Why is indigo more blue than purple? On the color wheel, indigo sits halfway between violet and blue. Violet is halfway between blue and purple. 

Indigo at a Glance

Hexcode#4b0082
Web Color #330099
PANTONE Color19-3215 TCX Indigo
RGB29.4% red, 0% green and 51% blue
CMYK42.3% cyan, 100% magenta, 0% yellow and 49% black
Meanings Integrity, spiritual, concentration,
higher consciousness, drama, addiction
Color Wheel PlacementA tertiary color between blue
and violet (purple)
Indigo Color CombosYellow

Indigo Variations

Part of the confusion comes from so many different indigos out there. There’s the dye, which is dark blue. Then there’s colors in the different color systems that are similar but not really. Here are what the codes look like. No wonder indigo is so misunderstood.

HexcodeWeb colorPANTONERGBCMYK

History of Indigo

The word indigo also refers to a dye made from the ndigofera a species of plants that were cultivated in East Asia, Egypt, India, and Peru.

The earliest use of indigo dye dates to around 4000 BC. The blue dye can be made from two different types of plants: the indigo plant, which produces the best results, and from the woad plant Isatis tinctoria. 

Color of Intuition 

The psychological meaning of the color indigo is complex, but it is most associated with intuition, creativity, and spirituality. 

The Color Indigo and the Rainbow

Indigo has a biblical and scientific meaning. The placement of the color in the rainbow gives it significance.

The rainbow is mentioned in the story of Noah’s Ark. It “is a sign from the Almighty that we are not forgotten.”

God appeared before Noah after the flood, along with a rainbow.

The rainbow is thought to symbolize God’s Integrity with each of the seven colors of the rainbow representing components that come together to create white, or God’s love.

It is believed that the colors violet, indigo and blue symbolize the three Heavens. Violet symbolizes the throne of God. The color indigo represents the universe. Blue represents the Earth’s sky. 

Isaac Newton Put Indigo in the Rainbow

Isaac Newton first placed indigo as one seven base colors of his work in the mid-1660s. Newton used a prism on a beam of sunlight, which resulted in a rainbow-like band of colors on the wall.

He could see seven colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. He also noted the infinite spectrum between the base colors. 

Indigo Has Four Distinct Tones

This color palette captures an indigo-ish spectrum.

Indigo is a perplexing color that has four major tones. As you can tell from the photos, sometimes it looks more blue, sometimes indigo looks like purple’s twin.

The color electric indigo is a bright and saturated color between the traditional indigo and violet. This is the brightest color indigo that can be approximated on a computer screen; it is a color located between blue, a primary color and the color violet of the RGB color wheel.

ELECTRIC INDIGO

The web color blue-violet or deep indigo is a tone of indigo brighter than pigment indigo, but not as bright as electric indigo.

BLUE VIOLET

The web color indigo is equivalent to the color indigo that is usually reproduced in pigments and colored pencils.

WEB COLOR INDIGO

The color of indigo dye is a different color from either spectrum indigo or pigment indigo. This is the actual color of the dye. A vat full of this dye is a darker color, approximating the web color midnight blue.

INDIGO DYE

Indigo in Home Decor 

Indigo may not be your first thought when it comes to home decor, but it can add a sense of tradition and depth to a room.

Don’t worry about having a purple living room, indigo home decor items lean more toward deep blue and the indigo dye color. 

Why Use Indigo

Indigo is bold. But its depth is rich and comforting. To add depth to the walls, add some applied molding and paint it the same color. Indigo paint on the walls can bring dazzle and coziness to a library, den, or home theatre.

If your home is already decked out in coastal decor, indigo brings sophistication and class to this casual style.

For those of you who don’t want to commit to a wall color, use indigo as a powerful accent color with area rugs, curtains and throw pillows. 

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Colors That Go With Indigo

What colors go with indigo? A lot more than you think.

White a Classic Combo

Dark blue and white are crisp, clean and classic. This color combination is the equivalent of a little black dress. It can be traditional, coastal, global, fun, boho. Dress it up or dress it down, you can’t go wrong with white.

Red a Natural Match

Indigo and red go together like cheese and crackers. They are a satisfying way to decorate the room. Don’t worry, you won’t feel like you were born on the Fourth of July. Red is an energetic color, one that balances the calm, focused energy of indigo.

Chartreuse (Green Yellow) Gives Indigo a Punch

Chartreuse, you know that electric green and yellow color that makes you look like you’ve had the stomach bug? It looks absolutely fabulous with indigo. Indigo loves yellow, so a yellowy green bold color gives the dark color a pop. Chartreuse throw pillows look amazing on an indigo couch. If you painted the room indigo, try hanging a chartreuse art piece on the wall. Wow!

Calm Down With Indigo and Brown — Oh Yeah Baby.

Imagine a fire crackling away in the fireplace, the smell of leather and books. You’ve got a glass of wine or scotch in one hand and a classic novel in the other. Blanket? Check. Comfy couch? Check. The kids, cat, husband, dog and chaos are all done for the day. It’s time to relax and recharge in the dark cocoon of indigo and brown. It’s magic.

Yellow and Orange Are Indigo BFFs

Complimentary colors bright bold orange and yellow are blue’s besties. If you want a modern look that will dazzle go for the orange.

Related Questions 

Is Indigo a Warm or Cool Color?

Indigo is a cool color. But surprisingly enough, it warms up a space.

What Does the Term Indigo Children Mean?

Indigo children, according to a New Age belief are children who possess special or unusual traits and are sometimes called interdimensional.

The idea emerged in the 1970s from Nancy Ann Tappe and was taken on by Lee Carroll and Jan Tober. In the 1990s a series of books was published about these children. No scientific studies have supported the existence of these so-called indigo children. 

What color is indigo? And how to use this dark blue-purple |

A deep, intense shade that comes from a natural dye, indigo sits between blue and violet in the colors of the rainbow. There is much debate over what color indigo represents most and if it is closer to a blue or purple shade; in this article we will explore the frequent questions asked when researching, what color is indigo? 

What color is indigo?

Labeled a secondary color on the color wheel, indigo is formed from mixing primary colors blue and red, creating a beautiful, rich shade. As indigo is mixed, there are many different shades available, sometimes causing confusion over what the ‘true’ color is meant to be. 

Pantone have selected their color of 2022 as ‘17-3938 Very Peri’ which is described by Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, very similarly to what makes an indigo shade, ‘encompassing the qualities of the blues’ with a ‘violet red undertone’. Eiseman goes on to say the color, ‘displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions’. 7-3938 Very Peri marks how we will be seeing this color palette used across the design world this year to create uplifting, inviting spaces. 

When choosing room color ideas, indigo is a timeless and versatile shade to use in an interior space. Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball Brand Ambassador, states, ‘indigo can create a very regal backdrop for an elegant sitting room when teamed with a clean white trim - or it can play to the ‘Pop Art’ characteristics when teamed with a bright and clean yellow’. We now explore some of the common questions asked when researching, what color is indigo? 

(Image credit: Future)

Is indigo considered purple or blue?

Whether you are decorating with blue or decorating with purple, you may be wondering which category indigo falls into.

With there being many different shades of indigo available, there can sometimes be confusion over whether indigo is considered purple or blue. Indigo sits between blue and purple (violet) in the color wheel, so it can be considered as a mix of both. Patrick O’Donnell from Farrow & Ball states, 'indigo is perceived mainly as blue with an underlying violet note. It can sometimes be a hard color to truly classify, as some ‘indigo’ colors can read closer to purple'. 

(Image credit: Future)

What color is closest to indigo? 

The closest color to indigo according to the color spectrum is blue. As discussed, indigo sits between blue and purple (violet) on the color wheel, violet sits halfway between blue and purple, so the indigo shade is technically closest to blue.  

(Image credit: Future)

Is indigo the same as purple? 

As indigo is a mixture of primary colors, there are many contrasting shades out there, which adds to the debate of what color indigo is meant to be. It is close to the shade of purple but sits independently within the color spectrum. 

(Image credit: Future)

Is indigo the same as navy? 

Both indigo and navy can be considered as darker blues so there is a connection between them, however, indigo can be seen as a more contemporary blue and slightly lighter than navy, whilst navy is more traditional and somewhat darker than indigo. 

When it comes to blue room ideas, Jane Rockett, co-founder of Rockett St George, says, ‘Indigo and deep navy tones promote calmness and are the perfect choice for your living room, bedroom or guest room – typically spaces that you go to for escape and respite.’

Because indigo isn't overpowering – in fact, this color often feels like it is receding – it can help a compact room appear to have more space, which can makes it a great color choice also for small room ideas.  

Is indigo a good color for the home?

Indigo is a good color for a home – and not just aesthetically. Our perception of indigo has an affect on our moods, too. This is true of all blue room ideas. However, bear in mind that purple room ideas, to which indigo is closely related is rather more stimulating.

As fabric and wallpaper designer Vanessa Arbuthnott says in our feature on color psychology in interior design, 'It’s been proven that students exposed to indigo, blue and purple before undertaking an exam achieved greater results, making it the perfect color palette for our home office or bedroom.'

What colors go with indigo? 

Indigo creates instant impact in a room, so you might decide to use it with white or grey to temper it and to create an elegant feel. In a cool, north-facing room, you could bring warmth and contrast by putting indigo with deep, earthy yellows or pinkish-terracottas. In naturally bright rooms, accent colors in cooler shades on the same side of the color wheel (think pale blues), will help dampen the bold effect indigo creates.  

Is indigo a good color for living rooms?

Blue living rooms can feel cold unless they receive plenty of sunny daylight, but the hint of red in indigo can make it a great choice. Used on walls, it will make the space feel cozy and vibrant; or you could introduce it as an accent shade in flooring, contrasting with white walls for a timeless feel.

Is indigo good for bedrooms?

Blue bedroom ideas are known to promote a calm feeling and good quality sleep, however, be aware that indigo does have a touch of red in it, so it won't necessarily feel calm and relaxing. However, it will feel warm and cossetting if used on walls or bedlinen. 

Is indigo good for kitchens?

Blue kitchen ideas have emerged as some of the most popular kitchen color ideas in the past few years, and no wonder. Cabinetry painted in blue, particularly deep blue such as indigo, looks elegant, smart and timeless.  

Is indigo good for bathrooms?

While blue bathroom ideas are traditional and perennially popular, they can feel cold. It's also important for bathrooms to be bright, which means indigo is a challenging shade. We would advise limiting indigo to towels and accessories, or putting it on walls of powder rooms which can be less practical.  

Indigo color, its combination in clothes and interior. Tables, photo

lookcolor.ru » Blue » Indigo color, its combination in clothes and interior. Tables, photo

Indigo is a bright dark blue shade that creates wonderful combinations, both in clothing and interior. Gorgeous palettes, tables. Photo.

Indigo is a dark, vibrant shade of blue with purple undertones. Its name comes from a plant from which rich, bright paint was extracted in India. The dye was exported all over the world, it also became the parent of blue jeans (they were painted with this shade). And yet, in his homeland you can find the most incredible shades of indigo, both in clothes and in the interior.

Contents

This is a spectral color that can only be achieved with a special dye, but if it is divided into halftones, then blue, black and purple can be distinguished in it, where black is the power of the subconscious, purple is mysticism, and blue is the intellect. Hence the intellectual, innate super abilities that are attributed to indigo children. At the same time, this color can be attributed to cosmic distances, a thirst for knowledge, something more than the ability to embrace an ordinary person.

Pantone indigo shades

All tones of this color are very dark, but the balance between bright blue and purple reflections can vary in them. Brightness is also a variable value. In the Pantone system, tones are more muted than true paint.

Indigo photo

Indigo color combination

Indigo is a grateful tone for a combination. Bright, and at the same time not pressing on the psyche, it can be combined with both very bright shades and muted ones, forming wonderful, harmonious pairs full of contrast and grace.
See also combination with blue.

Indigo Art

The combination of indigo with white and blue is one of the main ones in terms of light and brightness contrast. Lighter shades emphasize the depth and saturation of the tone, allow it to shimmer. The combination consists of white, light gray-beige, pale gray-blue, royal blue, sea buckthorn (yellow-orange), black.

Ethnic handicraft

In addition to white tones, indigo is often accompanied by beige, beige-brown and golden brown. In this combination, a thermal contrast is laid, which gives the main color additional juiciness. This range includes white-gray, light gray-beige, beige-brown, tomato, denim, electric blue.

Boat at dawn

The more pale blue and blue tones in the palette, the more noticeable are the differences of indigo - transcendent inner light. And if there is a warm, pastel, pink shade in the range, then you can understand how this amazing tone of blue is all acceptable.
The palette is made up of pale peach, sky blue, aquamarine, gray-yellow-beige, dark blue, black.

Silhouette of a ship in the golden sea

Subdued yellows, golds, golds, beiges and browns are the perfect setting for this color. And if yellow makes a scandalous pair with blue, with indigo the combination will be bright, but natural, since it is extremely saturated.
The combination with indigo is pale yellow, straw, gold (old gold), yellow-brown, blue-green, blue-black.

Combination table with indigo

The combination of indigo colors is usually juicy, expressive. As a dark tone, it almost always enters into light contrast. As a deep, cool shade, thermal contrast is also fundamental. Pastel shades on a dark blue background look like twinkling, midnight lights, without losing their color. And rich mid-tones become more juicy.

The combination of indigo and pink is contrasting and touching. Both warm, bright, and cold pale ones can participate in it. There will always be a contrast between warm and cold and light and dark. An example of a combination with white-lilac, orchids, krivek, coral, magenta.

Like the combination of blue and red - it is filled with the power of a "super hero", but compared to the middle blue, the pair looks more impressive due to the additional contrast of dark and light. Consider pairing with light red, alizarin, coral red, ruby, maroon.

Indigo pairs with orange as complementary tones, but its dark relative with purple undertones will give this combination extra charm, especially if the orange shades are not pure, such as coral and peach tones.
Combine indigo with light peach, coral orange, carrot, dark coral, coral orange.

Indigo is combined with yellow , where the yellow is related to orange, it blends more gently with bright dark blue, due to the saturation of the main tone and its dark direction. Yellow is also complementary to purple, which is related to indigo.
Colors from the yellow-blue palette: champagne, banana, mustard, bright gold, dark yellow.

Indigo and warm green meet , where grassy green tones create a thermal contrast with the main tone. Its soft, muted representatives, such as the color of avocado, the frog in a swoon, protective, the color of the needles, dark green create an atmosphere of mystery of the night forest, which is pleasant not only aesthetically but also morally.

Indigo goes well with cool green. Green, and even more so its cold shades, are relatives of blue in the Itten circle, thus the shades can flow into each other and form intermediate shades. Cool green is lighter than the main color, so there is a light contrast in the pair. Combine indigo and water color, light gray green, mint, emerald green, patina color.

Indigo and blue, blue are combined. The main color is a shade of blue, so the presented gamut can be called "in one tone". Lighter shades of blue contrast in lightness, reinforcing the cold color. The deviation of paired colors to the blue-green or purple side - represents the play of light and halftones in combination. Combine the main tone with aquamarine, bright blue, denim, Prussian blue, the color of the black sea.

Combination of indigo and violet. Violet colors are almost shades of indigo and make up the same harmonious contrasting pair with it as with blue. However, purple tones can be considered warmer, due to the admixture of red, so you can see a slight combination of cold-warm.
For example: blue-violet, lavender, amethyst, blackberry, purple can be paired.

Indigo and brown go together.

One of the most aesthetic combinations would be brown and a hint of blue: complex golden, rich beige-brown tones are the perfect match in terms of soft thermal contrast, to achieve a combination of medium brightness and light contrast. Take note of the range with beige-brown, cocoa color, cinnamon, light chestnut, mahogany.

Indigo and neutral color match. The color itself is very juicy and aesthetic, so it may well play the “first violin”, and for this it will need a contrasting frame of neutral colors such as cream, papyrus, light gray, anthracite, black.

Indigo in clothes

The indigo color in clothes is quite common, given that it was originally a dye for fabric, but bright blue surfaces glowing from the inside in clothes are rare. First of all, because they are suitable only for a contrasting appearance, of which there are not so many representatives.

Who will suit the indigo color in clothes?

For the “spring” color type, the indigo color is too dark, but still, if they are ready to give up a gentle, light, light image, then bright blue will sufficiently satisfy this need, without generally harming the appearance.
For "winter" a juicy shade of dark blue will be ideal, and not only because it is in a cold range, it is also dark enough to fully force the contrast of their appearance to play.
For "summer" and "autumn" will be more beneficial "extinct" tones of indigo, in which the purple part is more pronounced.

Indigo color combination in clothes: wardrobe selection

The combination of indigo in clothes is varied: from compositions with restrained shades to really bright and shocking combinations.
Let's take a look at how these combinations manifest themselves in the wardrobe.

Combinations of black and indigo - mystically dark and mysterious. It is necessary to use bright colors otherwise everything will merge into one tone.

Gray and indigo - light gray is used in combination with dark or black to deepen the effect, a couple where bright blue comes to the fore, while maintaining a cool range.

White and indigo - an extremely contrasting tandem, for a more complex and soft effect, it is better to take complex shades of white or cream.

Golden and light beige tones are the perfect frame for this color: juicy, bright and at the same time calm and graceful.

Brown combined with indigo creates an expensive style, like sapphires and leather.

Various shades of blue create a cool contrast with dark blue, often diluted with warmer tones such as beige, pink, gold, etc.

Pink tones for a pair with bright blue can be either muted lilac (such combinations are good for a non-contrasting appearance) or flashy fuchsia tones.

Violet tones are a harmonious pair for indigo, however, it needs to be diluted with lighter neutral shades: light beige, light gray.
Red combined with rich dark blue is one of the mystically strong tandems.

Combinations with orange are varied. Due to the excessive expressiveness of the pair, the combination is often complemented by neutral shades: white, beige, just as discreet brown and green.

The combination of indigo with yellow can be very diverse, depending on the shade of the latter. Soft tones of mustard dampen the riot of bright blue, while pure yellow, on the contrary, make it shine.

Combinations of green, as well as blue with light blue, are best to dilute with additional tones: beige, brown, gold, white.

Indigo interior color

Indigo in the interior gives a mystical image to the interior, even if it is only furniture or individual items. But we want to show how this color will look, prevailing in the interior.
Walls of bright dark blue color surround the room with twilight, against which lighter interior items look like light sources. The whole situation speaks of the unreality and sacredness of the environment.
To dilute this impression, lighter, less bright tones of blue and cyan will help.
In the interior, golden, light brown tones in furniture or on the floor will look good.
Use warm light, it will help smooth out the oppressive feeling of darkness, replacing it with pleasant sunset gatherings with fire.
Blue-green plants will be a good decoration. Preferably tropical.

VIEW COMBINATIONS WITH OTHER SHADES OF BLUE (click on the picture)

Indigo color in clothes, how to wear it and combine it

The ability to combine different shades will satisfy the taste of the most demanding beauty. Each girl thinks about the eternal question of how to give her image an unforgettable "zest" and often their choice falls on a color palette that emphasizes the indigo color in clothes.

After all, this color has long taken a strong position in all popular "Fashion-palettes". Thanks to the versatility of combinations with other colors, this color can look different from cold restraint and nobility to bright seduction.

It is not surprising that the name of this deep shade comes from the Indian plant indigofer, which was the main ingredient in the preparation of the dye. Due to its passage, many foreign manufacturers give the name to this color - "indian blue".

What color is indigo?

Indian blue has deservedly occupied a niche between dark blue and purple, which is why many scientists attribute it more to purple. It is interesting because it combines a spectrum of shades of blue and purple. At first glance, this shade is cold, but when combined with bright colors, it will bring originality and unusualness to the image, creating quite creative images. The saturation of the indigo color with shades can amaze anyone.

Shades of indigo go well with expensive silk, satin, velvet fabrics, thanks to their flowing structure, you cannot take your eyes off such things. The advantage of indigo as a color scheme is that it is saturated and evokes various associations, creating an original and unforgettable image. This color will easily fit into the wardrobe of both women and men. Most designers and stylists recommend using indigo at any time of the year, creating accents with shoes, bags and accessories.

Psychologists say that blue is the color of good luck. It helps to eliminate bad mood and absent-mindedness. Everyone who prefers shades of blue in clothes has an extraordinary character filled with melancholy, honesty and modesty. Those who prefer shades of blue have special features: slight insecurity, modesty. The contrast will be the choice of indigo color in the wardrobe of people with predominant traits of disobedience, calmness and generosity. Indigo shades are most suitable for girls with the "summer" and "winter" color types.

Indigo wardrobe

Based on the tips and ideas at the annual fashion shows, the question of which indigo color combination is stylish should not arise, because this shade is present in almost any wardrobe. This color can hardly be called neutral, so you need to approach the combination with other colors wisely. If you take into account all the nuances, you can get a very spectacular outfit for both an official event and a walk. When combining indigo color with other representatives of the color range, first of all, you need to pay attention to your color type. So, for example, the combination of turquoise and Indian blue can visually change the color of the eyes.

But the right palette of colors will be very relevant, making an impression on others.

Basic and contrasting color combinations

Basic indigo combination with white, gray and black. Outfits with an accent on white in a duet with this shade of blue will be a great option for office style. Gray will give formality, and black solemnity.

A touch of romance and mystery will bring a palette of pink and purple colors. Shades of pink can make a big difference in a discreet indigo color. Purple will create a romantic image with a touch of mystery.

An accent of unity with nature in a combination of brown, green and beige. Outfits of this color scheme are ideal for every day, but it is an accessory or the main thing of indigo color that can give them individuality. It can be like an indigo hat under a coat. And vice versa, a basic indigo dress complete with beige pumps. A fresh accent will be made by a combination of any shades of green.

The combination of warm shades and cool indigo, such as yellow, red, orange, will create a bright and cheerful look. You should pay attention only to bright shades, they will make the image more relaxed and feminine. Red should be treated with some caution. When combining these shades, you need to observe a fine line, crossing which you get a vulgar image. It is better to pay attention to accessories in red.

It is known that shades of the same color harmoniously match each other, especially if they are contrasting. So you can safely combine blue and indigo things with each other. This will make the image expressive.

Separately, it should be noted that one of the irreplaceable things in the wardrobe is a successful pair of jeans. Indigo skinny jeans are the perfect entry into the denim industry. A feature of the model is that it completely takes the shape of the body, combined with both T-shirts and shirts, and with strict jackets and cardigans, creating a stylish look for every day and looking good on the photo. But you shouldn't limit yourself to jeans - skinny is not worth it, because many fashion designers remain partial to various indigo denim garments.

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