Editing Blue (section)

== In society and culture ==
{{See also|Blue in culture}}

=== Uniforms ===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
File:HoratioNelson1.jpg|[[Navy blue]] derives its name from the uniform of [[Royal Navy]] officers
File:TSA agents, ca. 2016.jpg|[[Transportation Security Administration]] agents
File:2010. Донецк. Карнавал на день города 010.jpg|Ukrainian police officer in Donetsk
File:PM do Rio muda o comando de 25 UPPs.jpg|Officers of the [[Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State]], Brazil
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In the 17th century. The Prince-Elector of Brandenburg, [[Frederick William I of Prussia]], chose [[Prussian blue]] as the new colour of Prussian military uniforms, because it was made with [[Woad]], a local crop, rather than [[Indigo]], which was produced by the colonies of Brandenburg's rival, England. It was worn by the German army until World War I, with the exception of the soldiers of Bavaria, who wore sky-blue.<ref>Heller (2010) p.31</ref>

In 1748, the [[Royal Navy]] adopted a dark shade of blue for the uniform of officers.<ref name="p32">Heller (2010) p.32</ref> It was first known as marine blue, now known as [[navy blue]].<ref>J.R. Hill, ''The Oxford Illustrated History of the Royal Navy'', Oxford University Press, 1995.</ref> The militia organized by [[George Washington]] selected blue and [[Buff (colour)|buff]], the colours of the British [[Whig (British political party)|Whig Party]]. Blue continued to be the colour of the field uniform of the US Army until 1902, and is still the colour of the dress uniform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walter H. Bradford |title=Wearing Army Blue: a 200-year Tradition |url=http://www.army.mil/symbols/uniforms/history.html  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119095538/http://www.army.mil/symbols/uniforms/history.html |archive-date=19 November 2014 |website=army.mil}}</ref>

In the 19th century, police in the United Kingdom, including the [[Metropolitan Police]] and the [[City of London Police]] also adopted a navy blue uniform. Similar traditions were embraced in France and Austria.<ref>Jean Tulard, Jean-François Fayard, Alfred Fierro, ''Histoire et dictionnaire de la Révolution française'', 1789–1799, Éditions Robert Laffont, collection Bouquins, Paris, 1987. {{ISBN|2-7028-2076-X}}</ref> It was also adopted at about the same time for the uniforms of the officers of the [[New York City Police Department]].<ref name="p32" />

=== Gender ===
{{See also|Gendered associations of pink and blue}}
Blue is used to represent [[Male|males]]. Beginning as a trend the mid-19th century and applying primarily to clothing, gendered associations with blue became more widespread from the 1950s. The colour became associated with males after [[World War II]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-22 |title=Pink for boys and blue for girls: the colorful history of things designed for kids |url=https://today.usc.edu/pink-for-boys-and-blue-for-girls-the-colorful-history-of-things-designed-for-kids/#:~:text=But%20that%20wasn't%20always,wood%20toys%20over%20plastic%20ones?%E2%80%9D |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=USC Today |language=en-US}}</ref>
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File:ANAB767300Restroomsign.jpg|This restroom sign on an [[All Nippon Airways]] Boeing 767-300 uses pink for the female gender and blue for the male gender.
File:Gender Reveal Cake (28005690402).jpg|Cake using blue to represent the male sex.
File:Fynn Esser 2013-11-18 21-47.jpg|Baby blue newborn male clothing
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===Religion===
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File:Sri Mariamman Temple Singapore 2 amk.jpg|In [[Hinduism]], [[Krishna]] is depicted with blue skin
File:Reknown blue domes of the Church dedicated to St. Spirou in Firostefani, Santorini island (Thira), Greece.jpg|Blue domes of the Church dedicated to St. Spirou in Firostefani, [[Santorini]] island (Thira), Greece.
File:Mezquita Shah, Isfahán, Irán, 2016-09-20, DD 64.jpg|Persian blue in [[Shah mosque]] (16th c.) in [[Isfahan]], Iran
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* [[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] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130063924/http://www.tekhelet.com/ |date=30 January 2008 }}, 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 [[Christianity]]: Blue is particularly associated with the [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Virgin Mary]]. This was the result of a decree of [[Pope Gregory I]] (540–601) who ordered that all religious paintings should tell a story which was clearly comprehensible to all viewers, and that figures should be easily recognizable, especially that of the figure of Mary. If she was alone in the image, her costume was usually painted with the finest blue, [[ultramarine]]. If she was with Christ, her costume was usually painted with a less expensive pigment, to avoid outshining him.<ref name="Heller 2009 p. 32">Heller, "Psychologie de la Colour - Effets et Symboliques", (2009),p. 32</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Your question answered |url=http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/questions/faq/faq12.html  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060904024808/http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/questions/faq/faq12.html |archive-date=4 September 2006 |website=udayton.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Spirit of Notre Dame |url=http://www.nd.edu/~wcawley/corson/schoolcolors.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230134831/http://www.nd.edu/~wcawley/corson/schoolcolors.htm |archive-date=30 December 2011 |access-date=31 December 2011 |website=Nd.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Board Question #31244 &#124; The 100 Hour Board |url=http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/31244/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331124840/http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/31244/ |archive-date=31 March 2012 |access-date=31 December 2011 |website=Theboard.byu.edu}}</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]], Vishnu's avatars, are usually depicted with blue skin. [[Shiva]], the destroyer deity, is also depicted in a light-blue hue, and is called ''[[Nilakanta (Hinduism)|Nīlakaṇṭha]]'', or blue-throated, for having swallowed poison to save the universe during the [[Samudra Manthana]], the churning of the ocean of milk. Blue is used to symbolically represent the fifth, and the throat, [[chakra]] ([[Vishuddha]]).<ref>Stevens, Samantha. ''The Seven Rays: a Universal Guide to the Archangels''. Toronto: Insomniac Press, 2004. {{ISBN|1-894663-49-7}}. p. 24.</ref>
* Blue in [[Sikhism]]: The [[Nihang|Akali Nihangs]] warriors wear all-blue attire. [[Guru Gobind Singh]] also has a [[Roan (horse)|blue roan]] [[horse]]. The Sikh Rehat Maryada states that the [[Nishan Sahib]] hoisted outside every [[Gurdwara|Gurudwara]] should be [[yellow|xanthic]] (Basanti in [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]) or greyish blue (modern day [[navy blue]]) (Surmaaee in [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]) colour.<ref>Sikh Rehat Maryada: [https://old.sgpc.net/rehat_maryada/section_three_chap_four.htm Section Three, Chapter IV, Article V, r.]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sikhmuseum.com/nishan/|title=Nishan Sahib Khanda Sikh Symbols Sikh Museum History Heritage Sikhs|website=www.sikhmuseum.com}}</ref>
*Blue in [[Paganism]]: Blue is associated with peace, truth, wisdom, protection, and patience. It helps with healing, psychic ability, harmony, and understanding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Magical Properties of Colors |url=https://wiccaliving.com/magical-properties-colors/ |access-date=24 December 2020 |website=Wicca Living |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Sports ===
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File:Italy Team - Rome, 1965.jpg|The [[Italy national football team|Italian national football team]]
File:Serbia national volleyball team at the 2012 Summer Olympics (7913882066).jpg|Serbian national volleyball team, 2012 Olympics
File:Jack White, Duke Blue Devils.jpg|Basketball player for the Blue Devils at Cassell Coliseum
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In sports, blue is widely represented in uniforms in part because the majority of national teams wear the colours of their national flag. For example, the national men's football team of [[France national football team|France]] are known as ''Les Bleus'' (the Blues). Similarly, [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], [[Italy national football team|Italy]], and [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] wear blue shirts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FIFA World Cup 2010 – Historical Football Kits |url=http://historicalkits.co.uk/international/tournaments/fifa_world_cup_2010/fifa-world-cup-2010.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107043904/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/international/tournaments/fifa_world_cup_2010/fifa-world-cup-2010.html |archive-date=7 January 2012 |access-date=31 December 2011 |website=Historicalkits.co.uk}}</ref> The [[Asian Football Confederation]] and the [[Oceania Football Confederation]] use blue text on their logos. Blue is well represented in [[baseball]] ([[Toronto Blue Jays|Blue Jays]]), [[National Basketball Association|basketball]], and [[National Football League|American football]], and [[National Hockey League|Ice hockey]]. The [[India national cricket team|Indian national cricket team]] wears blue uniform during [[One day international]] matches, as such the team is also referred to as "Men in Blue".<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 July 2016 |title=This Is The Reason Why Indian Cricket Team Wears A Blue Jersey During ODIs |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/this-is-the-reason-why-indian-cricket-team-wears-a-blue-jersey-during-odis-257727.html}}</ref>

===Politics===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:Flag of the United Nations.svg|Flag of the [[United Nations]], approximates "sky blue"
File:Flag of Europe.svg|Flag of the [[European Union]] is "reflex blue", a medium dark blue
File:Red states and blue states of the US based on data from the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.svg|A presidential-election map of the US, 2008&ndash;2020. States that consistently vote for Democrats are termed "blue states".
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Unlike red or green, blue was not strongly associated with any particular country, religion or political movement. As the colour of harmony, it was chosen as the colour for the flags of the [[United Nations]], the [[European Union]], and [[NATO]].<ref name="PsyCoul">Heller, "Psychologie de la Couleur" pp. 36-37</ref> In politics, blue is often used as the colour of conservative parties, contrasting with the red associated with left-wing parties.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stone |first=Terry Lee |url=http://archive.org/details/colordesignworkb0000ston |title=Color design workbook : a real-world guide to using color in graphic design |date=2006 |publisher=Gloucester, Mass. : Rockport Publishers |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-59253-192-9}}</ref> Some conservative parties that use the colour blue include the [[Conservative Party (UK)]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2006 |title=Why is the Conservative Party blue? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4923050.stm |access-date=23 April 2018 |website=BBC News}}</ref> [[Conservative Party of Canada]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Logos |url=https://www.conservative.ca/official-logos/ |access-date=13 February 2024 |website=Conservative Party of Canada |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Liberal Party of Australia]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=What are the colours of the Australian political parties? - Parliamentary Education Office |url=https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/your-questions-on-notice |access-date=13 February 2024 |website=peo.gov.au |language=en}}</ref> [[Liberal Party (Brazil, 2006)|Liberal Party of Brazil]], and [[Likud]] of Israel.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} However, in some countries, blue is not associated main conservative party. In the United States, the liberal [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] is associated with blue, while the conservative [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] is associated with red. US states which have been won by the Democratic Party in four consecutive presidential elections are termed "blue states", while those that have been won by the Republican Party are termed "red states".<ref name="latmpexp16">{{Cite news |last=Battaglio |first=Stephen |date=3 November 2016 |title=When red meant Democratic and blue was Republican. A brief history of TV electoral maps |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-electoral-map-20161102-htmlstory.html |access-date=28 November 2018}}</ref> [[South Korea]] also uses this colour model, with the [[Democratic Party (South Korea, 2015)|Democratic Party]] on the left using blue<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 March 2023 |title=더불어민주당 |url=https://theminjoo.kr/introduce/logo |access-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308211933/https://theminjoo.kr/introduce/logo |archive-date=8 March 2023 }}</ref> and the [[People Power Party (South Korea)|People Power Party]] on the right using red.