What is the Colour Indigo?
Before looking at Indigo vs Violet lets take a look at Indigo first. Indigo is a deep, dark blue colour. It’s often used to describe something that’s mysterious or mystical. The colour indigo is sometimes referred to as “blue-violet” or “violet-blue”, as it’s a combination of both colours. In our colour swatch above we have chosen a range from Indigo Hex #4B0082 to Indigo Blue Hex #3F0FB7.
The History and Cultural Significance of the Colour Indigo
The colour indigo has a rich history and cultural significance. In ancient times, the colour was used to dye fabrics and was associated with wealth and power.
The production of indigo dye is a practice that has a long history, especially in India, which was the main source of it during the Greco-Roman period. In the 17th century, indigo dye became a highly prized resource in Europe and was imported from India through the Silk Road.
Issac Newton identified indigo in the range of light that is visible to the human eye. It is placed somewhere between blue and violet and is one of the colors in a rainbow. There is some disagreement on its precise location, as it can look like it is blending into both blue and violet, or even absent from the spectrum altogether.
Indigo has been used to represent a variety of things throughout history. It’s been used to represent royalty, mysticism, and spirituality. Today, the colour is often used to represent trust, wisdom, and intuition.
How to Use the Colour Indigo in Interior Design
The colour indigo can be used in a variety of ways in interior design. Here are a few ideas for using the colour in your home:
- Use it as an accent colour: The colour indigo can be used as an accent colour in a room. You can use it to add a pop of colour to a neutral space just like in the room below.
- Use it to add depth: The colour indigo can be used to add depth and texture to a room. You can use it to create a moody or mysterious atmosphere.
- Use it to create contrast: The colour indigo can be used to create contrast in a room. You can pair it with brighter colours to create an eye-catching contrast.
Indigo in Art
The colour indigo has been used in art for centuries. It was used by the Romans as a painting pigment and from the 14th century it was adopted by artists in Europe.
In 2018 a team of researchers discovered that Johannes Vermeer’s masterpiece Girl with a Pearl Earring contained Indigo Pigments.
It’s often used to create a moody or mysterious atmosphere and can be found in a variety of styles of art. From classic paintings to modern digital art, the colour indigo can be a great addition to any artwork.
Comparing Indigo to Other Colours - Violet, Blue, Purple
Indigo is often compared to other colours, such as violet, blue, and purple. Here’s a quick comparison of the colours.
- Blue, violet and indigo are visible on the rainbow, which makes them pure.
- Purple is a “perceived colour” and is generally described as an equal mix of blue and red.
- Blue is one of the three primary colours – the other two being red and yellow.
- Indigo is a deep and bright shade of blue (a secondary colour). It’s an approximate combination of three parts blue and one part red.
- Violet is at the bottom of the visible colour spectrum and is the last color that our eyes can see before the spectrum becomes ultraviolet. It’s an approximate combination of two-thirds blue and one-third red.
This wonderful piece by Michael Paul Bennett effortlessly utilizes all four colours.
Conclusion
The colour indigo is a deep, dark blue colour with a rich history and cultural significance. It’s associated with intuition, wisdom, and trust. The colour can be used in a variety of ways in interior design, and it’s often compared to other colours such as violet, blue, and purple. Take a look at a collection of our Indigo and Violet Printable Wall Art here.