Indigo Color Meaning: Symbolizes Intuition and Spirituality
Indigo is the color of wisdom, power, and spiritual awareness. It’s associated with the third eye or the “seeing” chakra. Indigo is believed to deepen spiritual connection and provide wisdom and insight.
The Psychological Effects of Indigo
- Introspection and deep thinking: Indigo leads individuals to engage in self-reflection. An indigo aura can indicate that someone is in tune with themselves and those around them.
- Creativity and imagination: Indigo stimulates the brain’s right hemisphere, which boosts creativity.
- Mystery and depth: Indigo’s dark, enigmatic hue can evoke feelings of mystery and depth. The intriguing color draws people in and stimulates curiosity.
Indigo and Chakra System
Indigo’s association with the chakra gives the color a spiritual meaning.
The Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra is one of the primary Chakras in Indian and Eastern spiritual traditions. The chakra is also known as the “ajna” chakra in Sanskrit. It’s believed to be the center of wisdom, inner guidance, and higher consciousness.
The third eye chakra is often symbolized by an indigo-colored lotus flower with two petals located in the middle of the forehead. Indigo promotes the elevation of lower chakra energies into higher spiritual vibrations.
Meditation and Dream Interpretation
Many meditation practitioners incorporate the color indigo into their practice, mainly when focusing on the third eye chakra. During meditation, individuals with an imbalanced third eye chakra visualize an indigo light or lotus flower. Using purple, indigo, and violet crystals and gemstones also awakens the third eye.
Indigo in dreams represents the need for peace, balance, and self-discovery.
Indigo and Spirituality
The spiritual meaning of indigo is sincerity, devotion, and organization. Some traditions use indigo for rituals, clothing, and jewelry. It helps the wearer tap into these spirit and energy practices. Indigo also enables deep focus during meditation.
In The Bible, the Indigo color palette (indigo blue and purple) symbolizes wealth, power, and importance. Only royal family members, noblemen, and council members donned the color during the Elizabethan Era.
Indigo in Everyday Life
In Fashion and Design
Fashion brands use the indigo dye extracted from the Indigofera plant on textiles. Synthetic indigo dyes are essential colorants for denim clothes and blue jeans.
In interior design, indigo’s depth and richness add a luxurious flair to the space. But, using it in large sections without interruption can be overwhelming.
In Healing and Therapy
Indigo’s association with the third eye chakra is attributed to its use in healing and therapy. Therapists use the color indigo in various forms.
- Aromatherapy: Essential oils like lavender, clary sage, and sandalwood are applied topically or in a diffuser. The oils resonate with indigo’s ability to promote relaxation, intuition, and spiritual connection.
- Art therapy: Indigo is popular in art therapy since it promotes creativity and imagination. Clients use artistic expression to explore their emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
- Meditation: Indigo-colored props or as a focal color in the meditation space help in mindfulness practices.
- Color therapy: Indigo cures diseases related to the third eye chakra. Headaches, visual defects, ear problems, and tension are some physical effects of an imbalanced third eye chakra.
Shades of Indigo
Indigo is between blue and violet in the color wheel. It’s also one of the seven rainbow colors.
| Shade Category | Shade Name | Hex Number |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Periwinkle | #CCCCFF |
| Lavender Indigo | #9457EB | |
| Sapphire | #OF52BA | |
| Medium | Classic Indigo | #4B0082 |
| Electric Indigo | #6F00FF | |
| Persian Indigo | #32127A | |
| Dark | Midnight Blue | #191970 |
| Prussian Blue | #003153 | |
| Deep Indigo | #2B0071 |
Light Indigo Shades
- Periwinkle: Periwinkle is a delicate blue-purple hue named after the periwinkle flower (Vinca minor). The color is soft and soothing.
- Lavender Indigo: This light shade of blue and purple is popular in fashion, interior, and graphic design. The color symbolizes serenity or coldness.
- Sapphire: Sapphire is a rich, vibrant blue reminiscent of the precious gemstone. It’s associated with elegance, royalty, and luxury.
Medium Indigo Shades
- Classic Indigo: Classic or traditional indigo is named after the natural dye derived from the Indigofera plant. People have used it for centuries to dye textiles and other materials.
- Electric Indigo: This bright, saturated blue-purple shade is energetic, dynamic, and intense. It’s often associated with electronic music and culture.
- Persian Indigo: Persian Indigo has a slightly purplish hue and is darker than other shades of indigo. It’s a popular color choice in traditional Persian clothing and art.
Dark Indigo Shades
- Midnight Blue: Midnight blue is a dark shade of blue, slightly darker than the color of indigo dye. It resembles the color of the night sky at midnight.
- Prussian Blue: Prussian blue is an indigo-blue shade with a reddish undertone. It’s common in paints, enamels, and lacquers.
- Deep Indigo: This dark blue-violet color has maximum saturation. It’s associated with mystery, sophistication, and moodiness.
Common Idiomatic Expressions Related to the Color Indigo
- Into the blue: To enter or explore something unknown or uncertain, often with a sense of adventure or excitement.
- Indigo child: A New Age concept that refers to a child with unique or supernatural traits. An indigo child is intuitive, sensitive, or spiritually gifted.
- Feeling blue: A feeling of sadness or despair caused by disappointment, discouragement, or grief.