Persian Blue

Cobalt Blue is China's most globally influential color. In the Yuan Dynasty, Persian cobalt met Jingdezhen porcelain clay, creating stunning blue-and-white ware that spread along the Maritime Silk Road. A Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white jar sold for ¥230 million in 2005.

Turquoise is named after Nishapur's mine in Iran—"turquoise" means "Turkish" in French, as the gem reached Europe via Turkey. Persians believe turquoise brings luck and wards off the evil eye. Persian mosque domes often alternate turquoise and deep blue. Imam Reza Shrine's dome in Mashhad is turquoise, gleaming like a gem.

Aegean Blue is Greece's soul color. Santorini's white houses with blue-domed churches look like heaven's silhouette in sunlight. Greeks chose blue doors for two reasons—the "evil eye" belief that blue reflects curses, and the 1967-74 junta's mandate for blue-white uniformity. The Greek flag's nine blue-white stripes represent "Freedom or Death" syllables. Ironically, ancient Greeks considered blue a barbarian color.

Japanese indigo is celebrated as "Japan Blue." Hokusai and Hiroshige's ukiyo-e extensively used this deep blue, stunning European artists after Japan's 1853 opening. Van Gogh collected Hiroshige prints, and "The Starry Night"'s swirling blues were directly influenced by "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." The 30+ step dyeing process transforms fabric from yellow-green to deep blue through oxidation.

Iznik Blue is one of the Ottoman Empire's most glorious artistic achievements. 16th-century Iznik pottery fused cobalt blue, turquoise, red, and green. The secret was a unique quartz base (80% quartz) giving glass-like brilliance. The Blue Mosque's 20,000 Iznik tiles radiate deep blue in morning light.

Egyptian Lapis was one of ancient Egypt's most sacred colors. Lapis lazuli traveled from Afghanistan to Egypt, valued like gold. Egyptians considered it the "stone of heaven"—they believed the sky was blue because of a massive lapis dome. Pharaoh masks, amulets, and tomb murals extensively used lapis blue. Tutankhamun's mask has lapis inlaid around the eyes. Egyptians ground lapis into eyeshadow—"Mesdematet"—possibly the world's first cosmetics. Cleopatra's blue eyeshadow was reportedly lapis powder.