Smokeyfish.com

Smokeyfish.com is a one stop shop for electronic, photographic and gadget products and accessories.

We do the leg work and scour the internet for the best products at the best prices.

BLUE

Our BLUE category will contain BLUE products from a wide range of online retailers. This will allow you to get the best deals with the minimum fuss and cost!

getting content

{{Infobox colour|title=Blue
|pic=File:Color icon blue.svg
|wavelength=440–490
|frequency=~680–610|
|symbolism=Ice, water, sky, sadness, winter, police, Royal family|royalty, Hanukkah, boys, cold, calm, Magic (paranormal)|magic, Truth|trueness, Conservatism|conservatism (universally), Political colour#United States|liberalism (US), and capitalism
|hex=0000FF|textcolor=white
| spelling=colour
| r=0|g=0|b=255|rgbspace=sRGB color space|sRGB
| h=240|s=100|v=100
| source=Web colors#HTML color names|HTML/CSS<ref name="css3-color">[http://www.w3.org/TR/css3-color/#html4 W3C TR CSS3 Color Module, HTML4 color keywords]</ref>
}}

File:Chiemsee010.jpg|thumb|alt=Image of a pier extending out in to a lake, with a clear sky above and mountains in the distance.|The [[Diffuse sky radiation|sky and Color of water|water often appear blue.]]
File:Blue Turkish Tiles.JPG|thumb|right|alt=image of a bush on tile; the background is blue|Blue Turkish Tiles
'''Blue''' is a colour, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 440–490 nanometre|nm. It is considered one of the additive color|additive primary color|primary colours. On the HSL and HSV|HSV Colour Wheel, the Complementary color|complement of blue is yellow; that is, a colour corresponding to an equal mixture of red and green light. On a colour wheel based on traditional colour theory (RYB color model|RYB) where blue was considered a primary colour, its complementary colour is considered to be orange (colour)|orange (based on the Munsell color system|Munsell colour wheel).<ref></ref>

In Modern English, "blue" is one of the basic colour terms, and one of the seven Spectral color|spectral colours, intermediate between Violet (color)|violet (purple) and cyan. It comprises a considerable number of Variations of blue|identifiable subcategories that can be identified with descriptive terms like navy blue (a dark blue), cyan blue (or "blue-green", on the boundary to the green range), or Azure (color)|sky blue (azure).

The word itself was loaned into Middle English from the Old French word ''bleu, blo'' "pale, pallid, discoloured; blue, blue-grey", itself from an Old Frankish ''*blao''.

Etymology and definitions

The modern English word ''blue'' comes from Middle English ''bleu'' or ''blewe'', from Old French ''bleu'', ''bleve'', ''blöe'', a word of Germanic language|Germanic origin (Old Frankish|Frankish or possibly Old High German ''blāo'', "pale, wan, blue-grey").

''Bleu'' replaced Old English ''blāw'' "blue" and ''blǣwen'' "light blue". The root of all these variations is Proto-Germanic ''blǣwaz'', from Proto-Indo-European *''bhlāw-, *bhlēw-'' "light-coloured, yellow, grey, blue", from *''bhel-'' "to shine, be light or bright", also the root of Old Norse ''blār'' and the modern Icelandic language|Icelandic ''blár'', and the North Germanic languages|Scandinavian word ''blå'', which can also refer to other non blue colours.  Also in the French, ''bleau'' is a contraction of ''belleaue'' or ''belle eau'', meaning "beautiful water" (see Fontainebleau#History|Fontainebleau). In this vein, "blue" is the colour of beautiful water as it clearly reflects the blue sky. A Scots language|Scots and Scottish English word for "blue-grey" is ''blae'', from the Middle English ''bla'' ("dark blue", from Old Norse ''blār''). Also related is the English word ''blee'' meaning "colour, complexion". Ancient Greek lacked a word for blue and Homer called the colour of the sea "wine dark", except that the word ''kyanos'' (cyan) was used for dark blue enamel.

The word ''blue'' is thought to be cognate with ''black'', ''blond'', originally designating a discoloured, pale, washed-out shade. Through a Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European root, it is also linked with Latin ''flavus'' ("yellow"; see ''flavescent'' and ''flavine''), with Greek ''phalos'' (white), French ''blanc'' (white, blank) (borrowed from Old Frankish language|Old Frankish), and with Russian белый, ''belyi'' ("white," see ''Beluga (whale)|beluga''), and Welsh ''blawr'' (grey) all of which derive (according to the ''The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language|American Heritage Dictionary'') from the Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European Root (linguistics)|root ''*bhel-'' meaning "to shine, flash or burn" (more specifically the word bhle-was, which meant light coloured, blue, blond, or yellow), whence came the names of various bright colours, and that of colour black from a derivation meaning "burnt" (other words derived from the root ''*bhel-'' include ''bleach, ''bleak'', ''blind'', ''blink'', ''blank'', ''blush'', ''blaze'', ''flame'', ''fulminate'', ''flagrant'' and ''phlegm'').

In the English language, blue may refer to the feeling of sadness. "He was feeling blue". This is because blue was related to rain, or storms, and in Greek mythology, the god Zeus would make rain when he was sad (crying), and a storm when he was angry. ''Kyanos'' was a name used in Ancient Greek to refer to ''dark blue tile'' (in English it means blue-green or cyan).<ref>''Merriam-Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary''. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1984. Page 319.</ref>

Many languages do not have Distinguishing blue from green in language|separate terms for blue and or green, instead using a cover term for both (when the issue is discussed in linguistics, this cover term is sometimes called ''Grue and bleen|grue'' in English).

In science

Pigments and dyes

Traditionally, blue has been considered a primary colour in painting, with the secondary colour orange (colour)|orange as its complement.

Blue pigments include azurite ().

Traditionally natural dyes such as woad and Indigofera tinctoria|true indigo were used to produce indigo dye used to colour fabrics blue or indigo. These have now largely been replaced by synthetic dyes.

Scientific natural standards for blue

* Emission spectrum of
* Electronic spectrum of aqua-ions

Animals

*When an animal's coat is described as "blue", it usually refers to a shade of grey that takes on a bluish tint, a diluted variant of a pure black coat. This designation is used for a variety of animals, including coat (dog)|dog coats, some rat coats, cat coat genetics|cat coats, some chicken breeds, some equine coat color|horse coat colours and rabbit coat colours. Some animals, such as giraffes and lizards, also have blue tongues.

Lasers

Lasers emitting in the blue region of the spectrum became widely available to the public in 2010 with the release of inexpensive high-powered 445-447 nm Laser diode technology.<ref name="laserglow"></ref> Blue Gas lasers are also still commonly used for Holography, DNA sequencing, Optical pumping, and other scientific and medical applications.

<gallery>
File:Bunch of blueberries, one unripe.jpg|alt=Group of approximately 20 blue berries|Blueberries
File:Lactarius indigo 48568 edit.jpg|alt=A mushroom cap on its side revealing closely spaced, blue gills|''Lactarius indigo'' is one of only a few blue-coloured mushrooms.
File:Dendrobates azureus (Dendrobates tinctorius) Edit.jpg|alt=A blue frog with black spots sits on a green leaf.|''Dendrobates azureus''
File:Cyanocitta cristata blue jay.jpg|alt=A blue and white bird, with a crest on its head.|Blue Jay
</gallery>

In culture

Symbolic language

* In the English language, blue often represents the human emotion of sadness, for example, "He was feeling blue". In German, on the other hand, to be "blue" (''blau sein'') is to be drunk. This derives from the ancient use of urine (which is produced copiously by the human body after drinking alcohol) in dyeing cloth blue with woad or indigo.<ref>Heller, Eva. ''Wie Farben wirken: Farbpsychologie, Farbsymbolik, kreative Farbgestaltung''. Berlin: Rowohlt, 2004.</ref> It may also be in relation to rain, which is usually regarded as a trigger of depressive emotions.<ref>[http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints2/469/ Top 10 weather complaints]</ref>
* Conversely blue, a very popular colour<ref>[http://www.joehallock.com/edu/COM498/preferences.html Preferences - Favorite Color]</ref> can represent happiness and optimism<ref>[http://www.precisionintermedia.com/color.html Psychology of Color]</ref> as days with clearer, blue skies tend to be considered times where these emotions are more easily expressed. Many artistic contributions have been made referencing clear days with blue skies as part of the happiness or as a symbolism of the happiness the artist felt, such as Tony Bennett's Put on a Happy Face.<ref>[http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/byebyebirdie/putonahappyface.htm "Put on a Happy Face" lyrics]</ref> If this were untrue there would obviously be more complaints about days with clear blue skies.
* Blue is commonly used in the Western hemisphere to symbolize the male gender in contrast to pink used for females, although in the early 1900s, blue was the colour for girls (as it had traditionally been the colour of the Virgin Mary in Western Art) and pink was for boys (as it was akin to the colour red, considered a masculine colour.<ref></ref>

National colours

File:Flag of Greece.svg|thumb|alt=A flag with a field of blue and white stripes; in the upper left corner is a white cross on a blue field.|[[Flag of Greece]]
File:Coat of arms of Israel.svg|thumb|alt=A white menorah on a blue field. It is surrounded by white laurels, and at the bottom is the word "Israel" written in Hebrew.|right|[[Coat of Arms symbol of Israel]]

* ''Azure (color)|Azzurro'', a light blue, is the national colour of Italy (from the livery colour of the former reigning family, the House of Savoy).
* Blue is the national sports colour for India, as it denotes secularism.
* Blue is the national colour used on flags of several countries surrounded by seas or oceans such as Australia and Flag of Europe|Europe, though not necessarily with this interpretation in mind.
* Blue and white are the national colours of Scotland, Argentina, El Salvador, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia|Micronesia, Nicaragua and Somalia, are the ancient national colours of Portugal and are the colours of the United Nations.
* Blue, white and yellow are the national colours of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Uruguay.
* Blue, white and green are the national colours of Sierra Leone.
* Blue, white and black are the national colours of Estonia.<ref>"Estonia in brief: National Symbols" at Estonica website [http://www.estonica.org/eng/lugu.html?kateg=73&menyy_id=779&alam=85&leht=1 Estonica.org]</ref>
* Blue and yellow are the national colours of Barbados, Kazakhstan, Palau, Sweden, and Ukraine.
* Blue, yellow and green are the national colours of Brazil, Gabon, and Rwanda.
* Blue, yellow and red are the national colours of Chad, Colombia, Ecuador, Moldova, Romania, and Venezuela.
* Blue and red are the national colours of Haiti and Liechtenstein.
* Blue, red and white are the national colours of Cambodia, Costa Rica, Chile, Croatia, Cuba, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, France, Iceland, North Korea, Laos, Liberia, Luxembourg, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Russia, Samoa, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Mysticism

* In Hinduism, blue is used to symbolically represent the fifth, throat chakra (Vishuddha).<ref>Stevens, Samantha. ''The Seven Rays: a Universal Guide to the Archangels''. Toronto: Insomniac Press, 2004. ISBN 1-894663-49-7. pg. 24.</ref>

Politics

* The Blue House is the residence of the President of South Korea.<ref></ref>
* Blue has been associated with a variety of political positions, often differentiated from Communism|communist red or anarchism|anarchist black. During the War in the Vendée|revolt in the Vendée against the French Revolution, blues stood for the revolutionary forces, and white for the counter-revolutionaries. Later movements like the Breton blues used the colour to signify allegiance to the ideals of the revolution.
* The blueshirts was a quasi-fascist political organisation active in Ireland during the 1930s (the name comes from the fact that St. Patrick's Blue is one of the traditional colours of Ireland).
* Blue is the colour of the Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party in Britain and Conservative Party of Canada. Television coverage in the United States since the 2000 presidential election has made it fashionable to link the Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party to "blue" and the Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party to "red" (especially in reference to "red states and blue states").<ref></ref> In Brazil, blue states are the ones in which the Brazilian Social Democratic Party|Social Democratic Party has the majority, in opposition to the Workers' Party (Brazil)|Workers' Party, usually represented by red.
* A blue law is a type of law, typically found in the United States and Canada, designed to enforce religious standards, particularly the observance of Sunday as a day of worship or rest, and a restriction on Sunday shopping. The word ''blue'' was used in the 17th century as a disparaging reference to rigid moral codes and those who observed them, particularly in ''blue-stocking'', a reference to Oliver Cromwell's supporters in the parliament of 1653.
* Blue is associated with numerous centre-right liberalism|liberal political parties in Europe, Including the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Netherlands), the Mouvement Réformateur|Reformist Movement and Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten|Open VLD (Belgium), the Democratic Party (Luxembourg)|Democratic Party (Luxembourg), Venstre (Denmark)|Liberal Party (Denmark) and Liberal People's Party (Sweden)|Liberal People's Party (Sweden).
* Blue is the colour of, and associated with, the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico|New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico.

Religion

File:Lapis Lazuli Bracelet.JPG|thumb|Blue coloured [[Lapis lazuli semi-precious stones are prized among Muslim World|Muslim Cultures in the Caucasus, Central Asia and Mehrgarh.]]
File:Western Wall - by Jacob Rask.jpg|thumb|alt=A man wearing a white robe with blue stripes stands in front of a stone wall.|Blue stripes on a traditional Jewish [[tallit.]]

* Blue is associated in Christianity generally and Catholicism in particular, with the Virgin Mary.<ref>[http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/questions/faq/faq12.html Your question answered]</ref><ref></ref>
* Blue in Hinduism: Many of the gods are depicted as having blue-coloured skin, particularly those associated with Vishnu, who is said to be the Preserver of the world and thus intimately connected to water. Krishna and Rama|Ram, Vishnu's avatars, are usually blue. Shiva, the Destroyer, is also depicted in light blue tones and is called ''neela kantha'', or blue-throated, for having swallowed poison in an attempt to turn the tide of a battle between the gods and demons in the gods' favour.
* Blue in Judaism: In the Torah,<ref>Book of Numbers|Numbers 15:38.</ref> the Israelites were commanded to put fringes, ''tzitzit'', on the corners of their garments, and to weave within these fringes a "twisted thread of blue (''tekhelet'')".<ref>[http://www.tekhelet.com Tekhelet.com], the Ptil Tekhelet Organization</ref> In ancient days, this blue thread was made from a dye extracted from a Mediterranean snail called the ''hilazon''. Maimonides claimed that this blue was the colour of "the clear noonday sky"; Rashi, the colour of the evening sky.<ref>''Mishneh Torah'', ''Tzitzit'' 2:1; Commentary on Numbers 15:38.</ref> According to several rabbinic sages, blue is the colour of God's Glory.<ref>''Numbers Rabbah'' 14:3; ''Hullin'' 89a.</ref> Staring at this colour aids in mediation, bringing us a glimpse of the "pavement of sapphire, like the very sky for purity", which is a likeness of the Throne of God.<ref>Book of Exodus|Exodus 24:10; Ezekiel 1:26; ''Hullin'' 89a.</ref> (The Hebrew language|Hebrew word for glory.) Many items in the ''Mishkan'', the portable sanctuary in the wilderness, such as the ''Menorah (Temple)|menorah'', many of the vessels, and the Ark of the Covenant, were covered with blue cloth when transported from place to place.<ref>Book of Numbers|Numbers 4:6–12.</ref>
* Blue in Islam: the colour blue is mentioned in the Quran: In verse Ta-Ha|20:102 and is represented by the word: زرق ''zurq'' (plural of ''azraq'', "blue"). Blue amulets made of lapis lazuli are commonly utilised to symbolise luck in some Muslim cultures. The colour blue also represents the values of liberty among Bosniaks.

Symbolism

* In Thailand, blue is associated with Friday on the Thai solar calendar. Anyone may wear blue on Fridays and anyone born on a Friday may adopt blue as their colour. The Thai language, however, is one that has had trouble distinguishing blue from green. The default word for Blue was recently สีน้ำเงิน literally, the colour of silver, a poetical reference to the silvery sheen of the deep blue sea. It now means navy blue, and the default word is now สีฟ้า literally, the colour of the sky.<ref>
</ref>

Sports

Many sporting teams make blue their official colour, or use it as detail on kit of a different colour. In addition, the colour is present on the logos of many sports associations.

Association football

In international association football, blue is a common colour on kits, as a majority of nations wear the colours of their national flag. A notable exception is four-time FIFA World Cup winners Italy national football team|Italy, who wear a blue kit based on the ''Azzuro Savoia'' (Savoy blue) of the royal House of Savoy which unified the Italian states.<ref></ref>

Football clubs which have won the European Cup or Champions League and wear blue include FC Barcelona of Spain (red and blue stripes), FC Internazionale Milano of Italy (blue and black stripes) and FC Porto of Portugal (blue and white stripes). Another European Cup-winning club, Aston Villa of England, wear light blue detailing on a mostly claret shirt, often as the colour of the sleeves.<ref></ref> Clubs which have won the Copa Libertadores, a tournament for South American clubs, and wear blue include six-time winners Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires, Argentina. They wear a blue shirt with a yellow band across.

Blue features on the logo of football's governing body FIFA, as well as featuring highly in the design of their website.<ref></ref> The European governing body of football, UEFA, uses two tones of blue to create a map of Europe in the centre of their logo. The Asian Football Confederation, Oceania Football Confederation and CONCACAF (the governing body of football in North and Central America and the Caribbean) use blue text on their logos.

North American sporting leagues

In Major League Baseball, a premier baseball league in the United States of America and Canada, blue is one of the three colours, along with white and red, on the league's official logo. A team from Toronto, Ontario, are the Toronto Blue Jays|Blue Jays. The Los Angeles Dodgers use blue prominently on their uniforms and the phrase "Dodger Blue" is may be said to describe Dodger fans' "blood". The Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers also use Blue prominently on their uniforms and logo.

The National Basketball Association, a premier basketball league in the United States and Canada, also has blue as one of the colours on their logo, along with red and white also, as does its female equivalent, the WNBA. The Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA wear blue. Former NBA player Blue Edwards|Theodore Edwards was nicknamed "Blue". The only NBA team to wear blue as first choice are the Charlotte Bobcats, however blue is a common away colour for many other franchises.

The National Football League, an American football league in the United States, also uses blue as one of three colours, along with white and red, on their official logo. The Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, and Detroit Lions feature blue prominently on their uniforms.

The National Hockey League, a premier Ice hockey league in Canada and the United States, does not use blue on its official logo. However, a club in the league from St. Louis, Missouri is named the St. Louis Blues|Blues.

<gallery>
Image:Italia v Francia Mondiale 1978.jpg|The Italy national football team|Italian national football team wear blue in honour of the royal House of Savoy which unified the country.
Image:Chris Paul.jpg|The New Orleans Hornets, a National Basketball Association franchise from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, wear blue as an away colour.
</gallery>

Variations

References

Find consultants with the expertise you need