Trang Ngo - February 21

Module 3.3: Color Research

Name: Maya Blue

Hex Color Code: #73C2FB

RGB: 115, 194, 251

CMYK Values*: 54.2%, 22.7%, 0.0%, 1.6%

Color History

This vibrant, almost sky blue color that was frequently used in pottery, murals and other artifacts produced by the Mayan people of Central America centuries ago is called Maya blue. This pigment is so durable and vibrant that it remains till today long after many other colors on their products have faded away.

Maya blue was created by combining indigo dye with a clay called palygorskite. The clay was used to bind the dye and protected the durable blue paint from the weather.

Maya blue retains its vibrant color for centuries. This 4.5-inch-high figurine head from Jaina Island dates from the Maya Late Classic period from 600 to 900. Credit...Field Museum

It is said that this color was also the color of Chaac, the god of rain, thunder, and lightning - and also a color used to mark a human sacrifice. When the weather showed signs of being cloudless and dry, a human sacrifice was painted in Maya blue and sacrificed to Chaac in hopes that rain would follow.

Color Information

Maya Blue belongs to the Azure, Blue color family (hue) and is considered a cool color .

The color Blue is typically reminiscent of reassurance and trust. It is the color that calms the feelings, and is popular as a friendly color. However, because of it’s cooler and calming hue, Blue is also the color that evokes sorrow, therefore, over usage of the color could invoke a more sorrowful feeling in the audience.

Color Harmony

Complimentary

This color combination creates a strong contrast:

#73C2FB + #FBAC73

Maya Blue + (approx.) Tacao

+

Triadic Colors

These color combinations work best when using two out of these three as accents to let one color shine:

#C2FB73 + #73C2FB + #FB73C2

Sulu + Maya Blue + Neon Pink

Work Consulted

  1. HTML CSS Color Picker - Maya Blue
  2. ColorAbout - Maya Blue
  3. ColorXS - Maya Blue
  4. Colorate - Maya Blue
  5. Wiki - Maya Blue
  6. "The Grim Story of Maya Blue" by Kenneth Chang (pub. Feb. 29, 2008)
  7. No. 2342: MAYA BLUE by John H. Lienhard
  8. “Uncovering Ancient Technologies: The Mystery and Symbolism of Maya Blue” by Tia Merotto (pub. Mar. 15, 2021)