The Colour of Trust

Steve, Helen and Huw tell you everything they know about the colour blue. Feeling blue? Then this podcast is just for you. Early naturally occurring blue pigments were hard to come by. However, ultramarine was a rare exception, made by grinding the mineral lapis lazuli. It was the finest and most expensive blue pigment and was often used symbolically to colour the robes of important people - such as The Virgin Mary - in Renaissance paintings. But where did the phrase feeling blue come from? Perhaps the association started when people noticed that we would turn a little blue in the face if we couldn't breathe. The history of the blue riband event is traced back to Henry VIII and the Order of the Holy Spirit and the knights with their Cordon Bleu. The first new blue pigment in 200 years - YInMn Blue - is discussed. Blue is perhaps the most popular colour in the world; is this because it reminds of things that we like? Blue is a relaxing colour than can help us sleep; but at the same time blue light can keep us awake at night and disturb our sleep. The meanings of blue are many of course; but in the west it is often seen as the colour of trust.