Summer is here! So today we’re kicking it off with two of the season’s most popular colors — turquoise and teal! These soothing blue-green tones beckon us to relax like no other. And it’s so easy to see why. The world’s most beautiful islands are surrounded by the shimmering, translucent beauty of teal and turquoise waters. Think Bora Bora. The Bahamas. And even the Great Barrier Reef. They just make you want to float away!
Poets and authors have often marveled at these glorious shades as well. As author Kristen Iverson once said,
Our love and appreciation for turquoise and teal colors go far and wide. And they go back in history as far as the earliest civilizations.
The History of Turquoise and Teal
Turquoise—both the color and the gemstone—was first worn by the ancient Egyptians in 3000 years BCE. They often set turquoise in gold necklaces and rings, and inlay or carve it into scarabs. Both the stone and color were sacred and revered. They were also considered powerful sources of protection. This is why they were included in the Egyptian tombs. Turquoise was believed to help people make a safe journey in the afterlife.
This belief that turquoise offered protection extended to other world cultures. In ancient Persia, individuals wore turquoise stones around their necks or wrists to avoid an unnatural death. In Indian culture, turquoise represented both protection and strength (as well as hope, wealth, and courage).
The color obviously was named turquoise after the gemstone. The word was derived from the French word for “Turkish” because the stone was originally brought to Europe from Turkey. The name came into use in England in 1573.
The color teal was named after a Chinese bird called a Teal. The multi-colored Teal has a beautiful patch of iridescent teal surrounding the upper areas of its eyes.
What Turquoise and Teal Symbolize
The idea that turquoise and teal offered protection is just one of the beliefs about these colors. They are also associated with sophistication, energy, wisdom, life, serenity, friendship, love, and joy. In particular, turquoise is a symbol of good luck, which is why it is often used in good luck charms.
Turquoise and Teal in Color Relationships
As you can see below, turquoise and teal are close together on the color spectrum. They are just tints and tones of the same color, all of which creates a monochromatic harmony!
Turquoise and teal work well with many colors. In fact, back in the 90s, many sports teams incorporated turquoise and teal in their logos. Here are a few examples:
Teal and Turquoise in Design
Thanks to its relaxing and soothing effect, these colors are often used in the summertime, in beach homes, and in getaway resorts and spas. The photo on the left shows combines a rich hue of turquoise on the exterior of a beach home. This color is reminiscent of the stunning lighter blue-green hues found at the Great Barrier Reef.
A lighter and paler version of these colors can also be seen in this shabby chic, beach style as seen here:
Turquoise and teal can also add more sophistication and vibrance to a room when the color is saturated. What is amazing is its ability to still maintain that feeling of relaxation! This may be due to the way we associate these colors with the ocean and sky.
In this simple yet chic bedroom above, the turquoise and teal colors feature a tint of Thalo Blue or Blue Cyan. If one wanted to add more colors to the interior, vermillion red would work as a close compliment and make the colors pop even more!
Interior design accessories in blue-green colors can also add to the ambiance of a room. It’s fun to play with shades in this color palette. For example, the turquoise color seen here has a touch of Cerulean blue. shaded with grey, which brings richness to an otherwise neutral palette.
Who Can Wear the Colors Turquoise and Teal? Practically Everyone!
One of the best qualities of turquoise and teal is that it looks great on virtually everyone—no matter their skin tone or hair color! These colors are especially popular to wear in the spring and summer when everyone starts to get their tan on! Why is that? Well, the color orange is complementary to blue-green tones, which makes each of these colors more vibrant when against each other! Here are a few examples:
Of course, teal and turquoise also are great colors to wear at work as well. It is a highly appealing, personable color that quietly commands attention and respect without being overbearing like colors such as red. It is a color that is associated with clarity of mind, emotional control, and creativity, which makes it a great color choice for those in highly creative fields such as interior design, fashion, advertising, and film.
Since teal and turquoise flatter virtually every skin tone, they also make a great color choice for bridesmaids! This color theme really pulls together a portrait. Here is an example:
Turquoise and teal can also be worn to create very striking looks, especially against darker skin tones. The effect is very attractive!
I hope these insights into the colors turquoise and teal have been interesting and educational for all of you color consultants and color enthusiasts out there! Personally, I love learning symbolic meanings behind colors as well as the colors’ emotional impact on ourselves and others. Turquoise and teal are two of the more beautiful and enduringly popular colors in our world—and Christian Dior sensed this as well. He said:
Want to have fun with summer colors? Or want to have your colors done for you?
Contact me, Mary Lou Manlove, at marylou@colorinsight.biz or call me at (650) 400-2230 today!