Blue (1) by Luisa Zambrotta

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According to the Oxford English Dictionary, English speakers have used the term “blue” to refer to sad or melancholy emotions since the 15th century. This may derive from a custom among many old deep water sailing ships. If the ship lost the captain or any of the officers during its voyage, she would fly blue flags and have a blue band painted along her entire hull when returning home

In the 1800’s to go blue referred to the medical condition of a person at the last stage before passing away. In our cardiovascular system, oxygen-rich blood is reddish, oxygen-depleted blood is bluish and people deprived of oxygen will turn blue, so  there is some basis in physiognomy (appearance of facial expression) for the explanation that to be blue means to be lethargic or depressed.

In the Western Hemisphere blue generally symbolises boys, in contrast to pink used for girls. However, the early 1900s, blue was the colour for girls, since it is the colour of the Virgin Mary

In China, the colour blue is commonly associated with torment, ghosts, and death. In a traditional Chinese opera, a character with a face powdered blue is a villain.

In Turkey and Central Asia, blue is the colour of mourning

The men of the  Tuareg people (North Africa) wear a blue turban which protects them from the sun and sand of the Sahara desert. It is  dyed with indigo which  transfers to the skin, and is seen as a sign of nobility and affluence. Early visitors called them the “Blue Men” of the Sahara.

tuareg2

10 respuestas a “Blue (1) by Luisa Zambrotta”

  1. Avatar de gabychops

    Thank you, dear Luisa, for the erudite and fascinating treatise on the colour «blue», and its meaning in many cultures. The Tuareg people of North Mali in Africa are known to greet passing caravans with the words: «Welcome, my friend the stranger!»

    Joanna

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you so much, dearest Joanna,
      I am glad you liked my post and made that lovely addition

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      1. Avatar de gabychops

        As always, you are more than welcome, dearest Luisa, and thank you!

        Joanna x

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      2. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

        🙏💙🙏

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  2. Avatar de richardbist

    A fascinating essay, Luisa! I appreciate the education…I wasn’t aware of any of these details.

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you so much for your appreciation., Richard!
      I’m really happy that you enjoyed this post

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  3. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

    💙💙💙💙💙

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  4. […] Blue (1) by Luisa Zambrotta […]

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  5. Avatar de kagould17

    I wonderful history of a delightful colour. Where would we be without blue skies, blue seas and lakes and blue eyes? Happy Saturday Luisa. Allan

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  6. Avatar de Priscilla Bettis

    This is all so interesting Luisa. It makes sense that «feeling blue» may have come from ships flying a blue flag and painting blue along the hull after losing the captain.

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