The Colour Blue

The Colour Blue

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Posted 2014-05-09 by Susan J Bowesfollow
Blue ...

What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the word "Blue"? I'm sure the thoughts would be numerous: the ocean, the sky, bluebirds, your favourite crystal, eye colour, pastels, favourite outfit, blue moon, blue movies, blue-blood, blue-jacket/blue-coat, music style, out of the blue, to be blue. Whatever your thoughts are, they all relate to the word "Blue".

So, let's look at the meaning of the word. In the 'New Universities Dictionary', printed in 1925, it states that blue (pronounced bl& #468 ;) is one of the primary colours and I'm sure all artists would use it and mix it into many other hues. Again, as an individual when we think of the word blue in this context which colour blue comes to our mind?

In the Eastern philosophy the colour "blue" relates to the throat area of the Chakra system with a meaning of being able to verbalise or express truth through the power of the spoken word. If the Chakra is blocked or closed one may have trouble expressing what he needs to say.

According to the internet "blue" is consistently ranked as the World's favourite colour with around 53% of the World's flags having blue in them. Other facts about the colour "blue" are as follows:

  • Blue is the most common colour in corporate logos
  • A dark blue suit is professional business attire
  • Blue jeans are worn all over the World
  • Aristocracy is blue-blooded in all European languages
  • Greeks believe that blue wards off "the evil eye"
  • Dark blue colour is for mourning in Korea
  • In American culture blue has evolved as a symbol of depression. We sing the blues and feel blue
  • Blue has very few connections to taste or smell, therefore blue may act as an appetite suppressant. I better get out and buy that blue tablecloth!

  • Then there is that rare event where an extra full moon occurs in a subdivision of a year and the event is called a "blue moon". So the saying "once in a blue moon" can relate to a rare event in someone's life events. The phrase has nothing to do with the colour of the moon, although sometimes due to atmospheric conditions, the moon can appear with a tinge of blue.

    It's uncertain where the "blues" music originated; however some say it came from the black workers who yelled and shouted in the slave fields. This developed into solo songs laden with emotions. The "blues" music has been the foundation for a lot of rising singers over our time. People like Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly all either studied, played and some even recorded "blues" music.

    If you are feeling sad, it is said you are "feeling blue"; however did you know that this saying was coined from a custom long ago among many deepwater sailing ships. If the ship lost its captain during a voyage, the vessel would fly a blue flag and have a blue band painted along the entire hull when returning home to port. So it's understandable that a charity organisation that wants to combat depression and anxiety would market a purposeful name like "Beyond Blue".

    As I was born and bred in Australia and am very patriotic to its culture and ideals in everyone having a fair go and helping each other in need, I couldn't go past ending this write up with a reference to John Williamson's song "True Blue" and lyrics below.

    %%Hey True Blue, don't say you've gone
    Say you've knocked off for a smoko
    And you'll be back later on
    Hey True Blue, Hey True Blue

    Give it to me straight
    Face to face
    Are you really disappearing,
    Just another dying race,
    Hey True Blue.

    True Blue, is it me and you?
    Is it Mum and Dad, is it a cockatoo?
    Is it standing by your mate
    When he's in a fight?
    Or will she be right?
    True Blue, I'm asking you...

    Hey True Blue, can you bear the load?
    Will you tie it up with wire,
    Just to keep the show on the road?
    Hey True Blue, Hey True Blue, now be Fair Dinkum
    Is your heart still there?
    If they sell us out like sponge cake
    Do you really care?
    Hey True Blue.

    True Blue, is it me and you?
    Is it Mum and Dad, is it a cockatoo?
    Is it standing by your mate
    When she's in a fight?
    Or will she be right?
    True Blue, I'm asking you...
    True Blue, is it me and you?
    Is it Mum and Dad, is it a cockatoo?
    Is it standing by your mate
    When he's in a fight?
    Or will she be right?
    True Blue ... True Blue. %%

    #misc
    %wneverywhere
    88517 - 2023-06-11 07:54:32

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