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Royal blue
Royal blue
Royal blue
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Royal blue (traditional)
 
About these coordinates     Color coordinates
Hex triplet#002366
sRGBB (r, g, b)(0, 35, 102)
HSV (h, s, v)(219°, 100%, 40%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(16, 44, 260°)
SourceThe Mother of All HTML Colo(u)r Charts[1]
ISCC–NBS descriptorDeep blue
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)
Royal blue (web color)
 
About these coordinates     Color coordinates
Hex triplet#4169E1
sRGBB (r, g, b)(65, 105, 225)
HSV (h, s, v)(225°, 71%, 88%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(48, 103, 260°)
SourceX11
ISCC–NBS descriptorVivid blue
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)
Royal blue (Pantone)
 
About these coordinates     Color coordinates
Hex triplet#3D428B
sRGBB (r, g, b)(61, 66, 139)
HSV (h, s, v)(236°, 56%, 55%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(31, 58, 264°)
SourcePantone[2]
ISCC–NBS descriptorDeep purplish blue
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Royal blue is a deep and vivid shade of blue. It refers to a deep blue that, ever since 508 AD and the baptism of Clovis I, has been associated with the Kings of France, the French Monarchy, and France as a nation. It was the main color of the uniform of the French Royal Guards regiment, which were created in 1563 to ensure the King's Guard. Very soon, starting in the 17th century, it became the color of all the uniforms of the French Army, from the Musketeers, during the Napoleonic era, and all the way to World War I, until it was made obsolete as a color for battle uniforms by modern warfare and the need for camouflage.

Brightness

[edit]

The Oxford English Dictionary defines "royal blue" as "a deep vivid blue",[3] while the Cambridge English Dictionary defined it as "a strong, bright blue colour",[4] and the Collins English Dictionary defines it as "a deep blue colour".[5] US dictionaries give it as further towards purple, e.g. "a deep, vivid reddish or purplish blue" (Webster's New World College Dictionary)[6] or "a vivid purplish blue" (Merriam-Webster).[7]

By the 1950s, many people[who?] began to think of royal blue as a brighter color, and it is this brighter color that was chosen as the web color "royal blue" (the web colors when they were formulated in 1987 were originally known as the X11 colors). The World Wide Web Consortium designated the keyword "royalblue" to be this much brighter color, rather than the traditional darker version of royal blue.

Cree Inc. uses the term Royal Blue to describe light emitting diodes in the wavelength range 450–465 nanometers, slightly shorter than the regular blue range of 465–485 nanometers.[8]

Variations

[edit]

Queen blue

[edit]
Queen blue
 
About these coordinates     Color coordinates
Hex triplet#436B95
sRGBB (r, g, b)(67, 107, 149)
HSV (h, s, v)(211°, 55%, 58%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(44, 43, 245°)
SourceISCC-NBS[9]
ISCC–NBS descriptorModerate blue
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Queen blue is a medium tone of royal blue.

The first recorded use of queen blue as a color name in English was in 1926. Before that, since 1661, this color had been called queen's blue.[10]

Imperial blue

[edit]
"Imperial blue" redirects here; not to be confused with Imperial blue (disambiguation).
Imperial blue
 
About these coordinates     Color coordinates
Hex triplet#005A92
sRGBB (r, g, b)(0, 90, 146)
HSV (h, s, v)(203°, 100%, 57%)
CIELChuv (L, C, h)(37, 57, 247°)
SourcePantone[11]
ISCC–NBS descriptorModerate blue
B: Normalized to [0–255] (byte)

Imperial blue is recorded as an alternative name for the traditional royal blue color above.[1] The name is also used for a distinct, medium blue color by Pantone.

In culture

[edit]

Literature

Auto racing

Flags

Australian rules football

Football

American football

Ice hockey

Uniforms

University

  • Imperial blue is the brand colour of the Imperial College London, which is used through all college communications.
  • Royal blue is the brand colour of Yonsei University, used in its emblem, flag, and various university designs.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Royal blue

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Royal blue is a deep and vivid shade of blue, positioned between and azure on the color , known for its richness, saturation, and association with and prestige. In digital standards, it is commonly represented by the hexadecimal code #4169E1, equivalent to RGB values (65, 105, 225), CMYK (71, 53, 0, 12), and HSL (225°, 73%, 57%). This hue evokes a of depth and vibrancy, distinguishing it from lighter blues like or darker tones like . The name "royal blue" emerged in during the early 19th century, specifically between 1810 and 1820, stemming from a competition among clothiers to produce the finest blue dye for a gown intended for Queen Charlotte, consort of King George III. Historically, deep blues like this were symbols of power and wealth in European courts, derived from expensive pigments such as from , though synthetic dyes later made the color more accessible. Over time, royal blue has evolved slightly in shade but retained its regal connotations, influencing textile production and design from the onward. Symbolizing trust, , , and , royal blue is widely used in branding for corporations seeking to convey reliability, such as in uniforms for police and forces, educational institutions, and luxury fashion. Psychologically, it promotes calmness and stability while stimulating intellectual clarity, making it a popular choice in for creating serene yet sophisticated spaces. In popular culture, it appears in national flags, like that of and , and in sports team colors, underscoring its enduring appeal as a marker of and excellence.

Etymology and Definition

Name Origin

The term "royal blue" derives its name from the adjective "royal," signifying a direct association with the British monarchy and its symbols of power and prestige. This linguistic root emphasizes the color's historical ties to noble and regal contexts, where deep were favored for garments denoting . The earliest documented use of the phrase "royal blue" in English appears in , recorded in the Morning Herald & Daily Advertiser, marking its emergence in late 18th-century usage. By the early , the specific shade gained prominence through innovations in , evolving from traditional blue like , which had long been employed in attire for due to its rarity and vibrancy. , derived from plants and imported to , provided a durable base for deeper tones suitable for high-status , setting the stage for more refined royal variants. A key historical event linked to the term's popularization occurred in the early 1800s, when a consortium of clothiers in Rode, , reportedly won a dyeing competition to produce a superior fast blue for royal or military garments. This shade, brighter than standard yet richer in depth, was crafted at Scutts Bridge Mill and subsequently named "royal blue" to honor its intended use in monarchical contexts. In recognition, King William IV issued a certificate in the 1830s authorizing its commercial sale under that designation, solidifying its status. The British royal family's preference for deep blues in state attire and uniforms during the 19th century further reinforced the color's elite connotations, as seen in selections for naval and ceremonial that echoed these rich hues.

Color Specifications

The following specifications refer to the web color standard for royal blue, defined as a medium to deep vivid shade of , positioned between and azure on the color spectrum, evoking a sense of depth and intensity in its tonal range. In digital representations, the standard hexadecimal code for royal blue is #4169E1, with corresponding RGB values of (65, 105, 225). This formulation aligns with the web color standard established in CSS specifications. For print applications, royal blue translates to CMYK values of 71% , 53% , 0% , and 12% black, providing a balanced for four-color process . In the HSL color space, royal blue features a hue angle of 225 degrees, 73% saturation, and 57% lightness, which contributes to its vibrant yet balanced appearance. A close Pantone equivalent for the web royal blue in professional printing standards is Pantone 19-3955 TCX (named "Royal Blue").
Color ModelValues
Hex#4169E1
RGB(65, 105, 225)
CMYK(71%, 53%, 0%, 12%)
HSL225°, 73%, 57%
Pantone19-3955 TCX (close)

History

Early Associations with Royalty

In ancient Egypt, lapis lazuli, a deep-blue semi-precious stone sourced from Afghanistan, was highly prized for its use in royal jewelry, amulets, and tomb decorations, symbolizing the heavens, divinity, and eternal power associated with pharaohs. For instance, it adorned the death mask of Tutankhamun and was incorporated into elaborate inlays for royal scarabs and pectorals, underscoring its role as a marker of elite status and divine favor. Similarly, in ancient Persian courts under the Achaemenid Empire, lapis lazuli featured prominently in cylinder seals, architectural inlays, and regalia, representing wisdom, royalty, and celestial authority, as seen in artifacts from Persepolis where it complemented gold to evoke imperial grandeur. By the early medieval period in European courts, this stone continued to signify power, often ground into ultramarine pigment for illuminated manuscripts and royal attire, reinforcing blue's connotations of sovereignty across cultures. During the , deep shades of gained profound symbolic weight in Christian , particularly through their association with the Virgin Mary, whose robes were frequently rendered in derived from to denote her purity, heavenly grace, and noble status. This practice, emerging around the , elevated from a rare —costing more than —to a color emblematic of sanctity and , as evidenced in works like those of and in Byzantine-influenced art where Mary's mantle signified her role as . This religious linkage extended to secular in , where azure (a heraldic ) became a denoting loyalty, truth, and high , reserved for coats of arms of kings and lords due to the dye's scarcity and prestige. By the 14th and 15th centuries, 's heraldic use in royal banners and shields further cemented its ties to monarchical , distinguishing noble lineages in tournaments and battles. The rarity and high cost of blue dyes before the advent of synthetics amplified their royal exclusivity, as natural sources like woad (from the plant) and (imported from via arduous trade routes) required labor-intensive fermentation processes yielding only modest quantities. Woad, dominant in medieval , was cultivated in specialized regions like and , yet its production was so resource-heavy that it commanded prices rivaling luxury imports, limiting its use to elite garments and ecclesiastical vestments. , even more potent and vibrant, faced import bans in 16th- and 17th-century to protect woad growers, but its eventual acceptance underscored blue's status as a "king's color," worn by monarchs to display wealth and inaccessible to commoners. This economic barrier persisted into the , making deep blues a visual shorthand for royal privilege. In 18th-century European monarchies, deep blues solidified their royal associations through military uniforms and flags, exemplified by the widespread adoption of —a synthetic discovered in around 1706—for coats under Frederick William I, symbolizing discipline, loyalty, and imperial might. This intense hue, more stable and affordable than natural dyes yet still evocative of prestige, influenced other courts; for example, the French royal navy incorporated royal blue elements in officer attire, while the Bourbon flag's azure field with golden proclaimed monarchical lineage. Such uses extended blue's symbolism from ancient divinity to modern state power, bridging historical reverence with Enlightenment-era pageantry.

19th-Century Development

The development of royal blue as a distinct and standardized shade in the 19th century was closely tied to the Industrial Revolution's advancements in synthetic dye production, which transformed blue pigments from expensive, labor-intensive natural extracts to affordable, vibrant options for textiles and fashion. Prussian blue, the first modern synthetic pigment discovered around 1706 by German pigment maker Johann Jacob Diesbach, laid the groundwork for these innovations; initially used in paints and prints, it became a staple in textile dyeing by the early 19th century due to its stability and intense color, enabling mass production in British and European mills during the era's textile boom. By the mid-1800s, refinements in Prussian blue formulations and combinations with other agents produced brighter, more saturated variants that approached the vividness associated with royal blue, reflecting social demands for luxurious yet accessible colors amid rising middle-class consumerism. A pivotal advancement came with the emergence of dyes, the first synthetic organic colorants derived from , which revolutionized by allowing unprecedented brightness and colorfastness. In 1856, 18-year-old British chemist accidentally discovered , the first , while attempting to synthesize ; this breakthrough spurred rapid development of blue variants, including synthesized in 1860 by French chemists Girard and Paul de Laire. These dyes enabled the creation of rich, brilliant royal shades previously unattainable with natural or woad, which were costly and faded easily, thus democratizing the color beyond elite circles and fueling the 19th-century "dye " in . The name "royal " itself emerged in between 1810 and 1820 from a among clothiers to produce the finest for a gown for Queen Charlotte, consort of King George III, further standardizing the shade. In Victorian Britain, royal blue gained prominence in fashion, symbolizing elegance and status as synthetic dyes made it widely available for gowns, accessories, and home furnishings by the late . Its adoption extended to institutional uses, such as elements of British naval and uniforms, where durable blue fabrics influenced international color standards through Britain's imperial networks and exports. This accessibility shifted royal blue from a rarified royal symbol to a global staple, underpinning the era's in the dye industry, which dominated by producing 90% of synthetic dyes by 1914.

Variations

Traditional Shades

Traditional shades of royal blue developed primarily in the 19th century, coinciding with advancements in synthetic dyeing that enabled more consistent and vibrant reproductions in textiles. These variations, such as queen blue and imperial blue, offered nuanced alternatives to the core royal blue, adapting to fashion and symbolic needs while maintaining the color's deep, regal essence. Queen blue is a slightly lighter, more purple-tinged variant of royal blue, characterized by the hex code #436B95, which provides a subdued yet elegant tone suitable for garments and accessories. This shade is associated with royalty and upper-class attire, balancing vibrancy with subtlety. In textile production, queen blue benefited from aniline dyes introduced in the 1850s, which allowed dyers to achieve stable, wash-resistant results on fabrics like and . Imperial blue represents a deeper, more saturated iteration, with hex code #002395, evoking greater intensity and often likened to a navy-like depth. Associated with imperial themes in the , such as in French Empire symbolism, it appeared in uniforms and ceremonial items. Standardization in the 1800s dyeing processes, particularly with Prussian and blues, ensured imperial blue's uniformity across trade goods, distinguishing it from earlier, less predictable natural applications. Royal blue and its traditional variants exhibit medium , with perceived around 30-40% on visual scales, providing a balanced intensity that contrasts with lighter blues like while avoiding the dimness of . This perceptual quality, rooted in the color's RGB composition, made these shades ideal for 19th-century textiles where visibility and durability were paramount in both daylight and lamplight conditions.

Modern Interpretations

In , royal blue is commonly represented by the code #4169E1, which provides a standard vibrant approximation for web and applications. For web-safe palettes, a close equivalent is #3366CC, ensuring consistent rendering across older browsers and devices with limited . Adjustments for modern screens, particularly LED displays, often involve calibrating the channel to brighter intensities to compensate for variations and achieve accurate color reproduction, as seen in professional LED setups where royal blue wavelengths (around 450 nm) are optimized for high-fidelity output. In color systems, equivalents include 7686 C for print applications. During the , royal gained prominence in , most notably with , which adopted a medium blue (approximately #006699) in its 1972 logo redesign, contributing to the enduring nickname "" that symbolized trust and innovation. In sports, English football teams like Everton adopted royal blue uniforms in the early (1901/02 season), with the shade solidifying as a signature by the mid-20th century, influencing kit designs for clubs such as Chelsea (adopted 1907/08) and to evoke tradition and vibrancy. In contemporary since the early , royal blue has experienced a revival in high-end , appearing as a bold, opulent accent in collections that emphasize and , such as those highlighted for Spring/Summer 2025. This resurgence incorporates synthetic dyes that closely match traditional royal blue tones, with increasing adoption of eco-friendly variants like low-impact reactive dyes to reduce environmental harm while maintaining colorfastness on natural and blended fabrics. For global standardization, royal blue finds industrial equivalents in systems like RAL Classic, where RAL 5011 (approximately #21618C) provides a durable but darker, less vibrant suitable for coatings, paints, and applications requiring consistent pigmentation. This serves sectors like automotive and , bridging traditional with modern production needs, though closer vibrant matches exist in other systems like .

Cultural Significance

Symbolism and Psychology

Royal blue evokes feelings of trust, , and , often linked to reduced anxiety and heightened perceived in . Research in indicates that exposure to royal blue can lower heart rates and promote relaxation, similar to the calming effects observed with broader hues, which have been shown to decrease stress levels in controlled environments. Symbolically, royal blue represents , wisdom, and serenity, with its historical ties to royalty evolving into contemporary associations with and . This hue conveys dependability and tranquility, often symbolizing and reassurance in interpersonal contexts. Its deep tone underscores a sense of superiority and , making it a marker of depth and responsible authority. Cultural interpretations of royal blue vary significantly. In Western contexts, it signifies and prestige, rooted in its longstanding connection to aristocratic attire and symbols of power. In Eastern traditions, particularly in aligns with , , and , where it is associated with spiritual protection and the natural cycles of renewal. In , royal blue is classified as a cool color, which promotes calmness and introspection while contrasting with the energizing effects of warm tones like or orange. This positioning in the cool spectrum enhances its role in creating serene atmospheres and balancing visual compositions.

Applications in Art and Design

In , royal blue is frequently utilized in modern abstract works to impart a sense of depth and emotional , leveraging its vivid saturation to create immersive spatial effects and evoke . Although Pablo Picasso's Blue Period (1901–1904) primarily employed muted, cooler and for themes of melancholy and destitution, deeper blue tones approaching royal blue appear in select pieces to heighten dramatic intensity. Royal blue holds a prominent place in and textiles, particularly in high-end couture where it conveys elegance and sophistication. In practical applications, it appears in uniforms such as those of Police Community Support Officers, who wear royal blue shirts for visibility and authority. In design and branding, royal blue enhances corporate identities with its connotations of trust and ; for instance, Twitter's early logo employed a bright blue (#1DA1F2), contributing to the platform's approachable yet reliable aesthetic. For interior decoration, the color is favored in luxury spaces, often applied to and accents in materials like or to instill a sense of opulence and calm. In architecture and media, royal blue features in national symbols like the UK's flag, where it forms the background field to unify the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick, embodying national heritage. Royal blue also appears in national flags, such as those of and , symbolizing unity and heritage. In film and popular media, it symbolizes power and heroism, notably in Superman's costume, whose royal blue bodysuit represents strength and optimism across comic and cinematic adaptations.

References

  1. https://www.canva.com/colors/color-meanings/royal-blue/
  2. https://htmlcolorcodes.com/colors/royal-blue/
  3. https://www.colorpsychology.org/royal-blue/
  4. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-secret-history-of-the-color-blue/9gUxIXzv_RULIA?hl=en
  5. https://www.internet-ink.com/blog/pens/2011-08-18-the-origin-of-royal-blue
  6. https://www.finestofthefine.com/post/royal-blue-color
  7. https://www.oed.com/dictionary/royal-blue_n
  8. https://www.rodevillage.com/history-of-rode/mills-and-factories/scutts-bridge-mill/
  9. https://www.rolandmillward.com/p/rode
  10. https://www.colorhexa.com/4169e1
  11. https://www.color-hex.com/color/4169e1
  12. https://www.pantone.com/color-finder/19-3955-TCX
  13. https://www.gemsociety.org/article/history-legend-lapis-lazuli-gems-yore/
  14. https://thecuriousegyptologist.com/2021/06/25/lapis-lazuli-prized-gemstone-and-hair-of-the-gods/
  15. https://www.cftm.co.uk/blog/lapis-lazuli-beauty/
  16. https://mmjewelselection.com/blogs/articles/the-kings-blue-lapis-lazulis-journey-through-cultures-and-history
  17. https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-jesus-mary-wear-red-blue-art-history
  18. https://www.theschooloftheology.org/posts/essay/christian-symbolism-colour-blue
  19. https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/lapis-lazuli-pigment/
  20. https://www.battlemerchant.com/en/blog/colors-and-dyeing-of-medieval-clothing
  21. https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/collex/exhibits/originsof-color/organic-dyes-and-lakes/war-between-woad-and-indigo/
  22. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5315675/
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  26. https://cen.acs.org/articles/83/i18/PRUSSIAN-BLUE-STILL-HOT-TOPIC.html
  27. https://kora.quiltindex.org/files/35-90-336/Uncoverings2010-A3.pdf
  28. https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/chemistry/colourful-chemistry-artificial-dyes
  29. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspl.1863.0077
  30. https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/aniline-dyes/
  31. https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-71241
  32. https://www.chemistryviews.org/history-of-synthetic-dyes/
  33. https://convertingcolors.com/hex-color-436B95.html
  34. https://encycolorpedia.com/002395
  35. https://www.quora.com/The-French-Imperial-Army-both-the-first-and-the-second-empire-had-blue-infantry-uniforms-However-was-that-blue-a-dark-blue-or-a-light-and-yellowish-blue-aka-horizon-blue
  36. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/596216/formula-to-determine-perceived-brightness-of-rgb-color
  37. https://www.digikey.com/en/articles/royal-blue-leds-decoding-the-datasheet
  38. https://www.pantone.com/color-finder/7686-c
  39. https://fabrikbrands.com/branding-matters/logofile/ibm-logo-history-symbol-meaning-and-evolution/
  40. https://www.goodisonnews.com/2025/09/04/why-do-everton-play-in-royal-blue-home-kits/
  41. https://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Chelsea/Chelsea.htm
  42. https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2025/july/31/our-colours--on-the-road-/
  43. https://www.vanitycouture.com/blogs/style-guide/royal-blue-the-ultimate-hue-for-spring-summer-2025
  44. https://hulaglobal.com/blog/organic-fabric-dyes-eco-friendly-alternatives-for-synthetic-dyes/
  45. https://www.ralcolorchart.com/ral-classic/ral-5011-steel-blue
  46. https://hextoral.com/side-by-side/steel-blue-ral-5011-vs-royal-blue-bs381c-106/
  47. https://octet.design/journal/blue-color-meaning/
  48. https://www.color-meanings.com/royal-blue-color-meaning-the-color-royal-blue/
  49. https://artincontext.org/meaning-of-the-color-royal-blue/
  50. https://www.colorpsychology.org/blue/
  51. https://www.dunnedwards.com/pros/blog/the-color-blue-color-theory-symbolism-design-application/
  52. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-color-psychology-of-blue-2795815
  53. https://www.greatbigcanvas.com/category/blue-wall-art/royal-blue/
  54. https://www.pablopicasso.org/blue-period.jsp
  55. https://patrolstore.com/products/police-community-support-wicking-top-royal-blue-mens-short-sleeve-used-grade-a
  56. https://usbrandcolors.com/twitter-colors/
  57. https://www.designcafe.com/blog/home-interiors/royal-blue-colour-combination/
  58. https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/uk-flags/union-flag-specification/
  59. https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/hn.html
  60. https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ni.html
  61. https://www.originalprop.com/blog/2008/08/06/superman-costume-color-analysis-reference-blue/
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