HomeBrowse Traditional Colors
Water ELEMENT

靛青

#177CB0
Generate palette with this color →
W
Water Element
Winter · North · Wisdom & Depth
Secondary Color (间色)

Cultural Resonance

A traditional Chinese color with historical roots. Source: "天工开物".

A secondary color derived from blending primary colors, commonly seen in folk clothing and daily life.

Five Elements

Element
Water
Season
Winter
Direction
North
Symbolism
Wisdom & Depth
Color Class
Secondary Color (间色)
Category
Blue

Technical Specs

HEX#177CB0
RGB23, 124, 176
HSL200°, 77%, 39%
CMYK87%, 30%, 0%, 31%

Visual Analysis

A medium-dark blue tone (H:200° S:77% L:39%) that is highly saturated, vibrant. It carries the brilliance of ceramic glaze, offering a distinctive presence in any palette.

Color Harmonies

Complementary
#177CB0
#B04A17
Triadic
#177CB0
#B0177D
#7DB017
Analogous
#17B097
#177CB0
#1730B0
Split-Complementary
#177CB0
#B01730
#B09717
Tint & Shade
#063F5B
#177CB0
#50AEDC

Design Applications

Brand & Identity

"靛青" is particularly suited for technology, finance, and maritime brands. Its specific tonal character (H:200° S:77%) creates a distinctive brand identity that stands apart from generic color choices.

Interior & Spatial

In spatial design, this specific shade excels in modern offices, reading nooks, and coastal interiors. At 39% lightness, it balances visibility and subtlety — ideal for body text containers, sidebar accents, or secondary backgrounds.

Digital & UI

In digital interfaces, consider using "靛青" for navigation bars, links, and trust-building elements. At 39% lightness, it balances visibility and subtlety — ideal for body text containers, sidebar accents, or secondary backgrounds.

Accessibility — WCAG Contrast

White Text Sample
The quick brown fox jumps.
4.62:1
AA AAA
Black Text Sample
The quick brown fox jumps.
4.55:1
AA AAA

WCAG 2.1 requires ≥4.5:1 for AA and ≥7:1 for AAA. Best text color: white (#FFF).

Color Psychology

Color Temperature

Cool-toned (hue 200°), evokes calm and focus. Cool colors recede, creating depth.

Visual Weight

Mid-range lightness (39%) creates balanced presence — works for text and interactive elements.

Saturation Impact

High saturation (77%) demands attention — brain processes ~50ms faster than desaturated variants.

Color Breakdown

Hue200°
Saturation77%
Lightness39%
Print Values (CMYK)
C87%
M30%
Y0%
K31%

More Water · Blue Colors

牛角灰
#2D2E36
沙鱼灰
#35333C
鸦青
#424C50
星灰
#B2BBBE
花白
#C2CCD0
大理石灰
#C4CBCF
远山紫
#CCCCD6
苍白
#D1D9E0