Indigo is a deep and rich color close to the color wheel between blue and violet. It represents spirituality, mystery, and depth. Throughout history and across cultures, indigo has carried important meaning and symbolism. In this article, we’ll explore what indigo represents and how it’s used symbolically.
The History and Origins of Indigo
Indigo dye has been used for centuries to color fabrics, particularly in Asia and Africa. Some of the earliest uses of indigo dye have been found in artifacts from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Britain, Peru, Iran, and China.
The dye originally came from the indigo plant, which is native to Asia. India was a major production center for indigo dye, which is where the English word stems from. During the colonial period, indigo plantations spread to Central and South America to meet demands from European textile makers.
As a pigment, the deep blue color of indigo dye was difficult to achieve and considered precious. The rarity and cost of indigo helped give it an air of luxury and prestige in many cultures.
Indigo Symbolism
Spirituality
Indigo is strongly linked with spirituality and mysticism across various cultures and belief systems. In Hinduism, indigo represents the sixth chakra known as the third eye chakra. This chakra relates to intuition, insight, and connecting to a deeper wisdom.
| Chakra | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Third Eye Chakra | Indigo | Intuition, insight |
Buddhism, Taoism, and Shintoism all use indigo in spiritual rituals and ceremonies. It is thought to provide healing, bring good fortune, and protect against evil.
Royalty
The rarity and high cost of indigo dye meant it was mainly worn by royalty and the upper classes for centuries. Purple and indigo-hued fabrics became associated with nobility, prestige, and power across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Indigo was used in the coronation robes of Chinese emperors and for the cermonial garments of Japanese aristocracy. European kings wore indigo, and it came to represent importance and ambition. Queen Elizabeth I brought indigo to England in the 16th century.
| Culture | Indigo Association |
|---|---|
| Chinese | Emperor’s robes |
| Japanese | Ceremonial kimonos |
| European | Ambition, nobility |
Counterculture
More recently, indigo took on an association with counterculture movements in the 1960s and 1970s. Denim jeans dyed with indigo became staples in youth fashion. The indigo dye often crocked and rubbed off on surfaces, representing a sense of freedom and rebellion.
Hippie styles incorporated indigo fabrics, particularly in India where native indigo dye was experiencing a revival. Indigo came to represent going against societal norms and expressing individuality.
| Decade | Indigo Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1960s | Counterculture, rebellion |
| 1970s | Freedom, individuality |
Using Indigo Symbolically
Indigo’s long history gives it a depth of meaning that can be used in many symbolic ways. Here are some examples of indigo symbolism across different contexts:
- Meditation or consciousness – Indigo’s link to the third eye chakra associates it with higher wisdom.
- Leadership – Indigo’s association with royalty can symbolize ambition and prestige.
- Spiritual guidance – Especially when used with purple, indigo can represent mysticism and intuition.
- Focus – Since indigo is the color of the third eye chakra, it represents concentration.
- Calmness – The deep hue has a calming effect and can symbolize serenity.
Indigo in Culture and Media
Indigo carries meaning and symbolism through its use in culture, art, and storytelling:
Literature
– Ancient Egyptian mythology – The god Amon wears indigo to represent his mysterious divine wisdom.
– Roman author Pliny the Elder – Wrote about the precious nature of indigo dye extracted from insects.
– Medieval poems – Ladies wearing indigo represented nobility and status.
Art
– Vincent Van Gogh – Used indigo in several paintings including his famous The Starry Night.
– Picasso – In his Blue Period, Picasso used indigo and other blues to convey sadness and melancholy.
– Hokusai – Famous Japanese artist behind The Great Wave off Kanagawa woodblock print.
Movies
– The Wizard of Oz – Dorothy wears iconic indigo gingham pants throughout the film.
– Avatar (2009) – The Na’vi blue skin connects them spiritually to nature.
– The Virgin Suicides (1999) – Indigo lighting gives an air of melancholy and loss.
Conclusion
Indigo is a color with deep symbolism throughout human history. It connects us to spirituality and higher consciousness. The precious nature of ancient indigo dye gave it an elite status association. And its more recent adoption by youth counterculture made it a color of rebellion and freedom. Indigo’s rich meaning gives creators, designers, and artists a versatile color to work with that evokes spirituality, authority, calmness, and intuition. When used mindfully, indigo’s symbolic power can add dimension to any message.