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Blue

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A stunning view of Earth from space, showing beautiful auroras and the soft glow of zodiacal light.

What is Blue?

Blue is one of the three main colours we see every day. It is a cool, calm colour that makes us think of the sky and the sea. We see blue because of how light behaves, a process called Rayleigh scattering.

Blue in History and Art

People have loved blue for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used a special stone called lapis lazuli to make beautiful jewellery. During the Renaissance, artists used lapis lazuli to create a precious blue paint called ultramarine. In China, artists used cobalt blue for blue and white pottery called blue and white porcelain.

Blue Today

Blue is a favourite colour for many people around the world. It is often linked with feelings of harmony, confidence, calmness, and knowledge. The colour blue appears on the flags of the United Nations and the European Union.

Blue makes us feel peaceful and strong, and it is used in many places, from art to everyday clothes.

Images

The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai is a famous Japanese art print showing a huge ocean wave threatening boats. It is a celebrated example of traditional Japanese art.
Beautiful decorative tiles from the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, showcasing intricate Islamic mosaic art and floral designs.
A beautiful natural islet called Tahuna Maru in Raroia, where an expedition landed in 1947.
Delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, discussing global environmental policies.
A sample of cobalt blue pigment, a bright blue powder used in art and manufacturing.
A sample of phtalo blue pigment, a type of synthetic blue color used in paints and dyes.
A photograph of a bright blue powder known as YInMn Blue, a unique material studied by scientists.
A close-up of Prussian blue oil paint, a popular pigment used by artists.
A famous 18th-century painting of a young boy in a blue outfit by Thomas Gainsborough.
A closeup view of colorful pixels showing how digital images are made.
A sample of Egyptian Blue, an ancient pigment used in art and decoration.

Related articles

Scattering
Lapis lazuli
Renaissance
Cobalt blue
White
Harmony

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Blue, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.