Indigo
HEX: #4B0082 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#4B0082
75, 0, 130
274°, 100% ,50%
42.31, 100, 0, 49.02
About Indigo
Indigo (#4B0082) is a color with RGB(75, 0, 130) and HSL(274.62°, 100%, 50.98%). It is commonly associated with Bold, Romantic moods. In design, it fits Vivid styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #378200, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #824B00 and #00824B. The name comes from indikon (Ἰνδικόν) (Greek).
- HEX: #4B0082
- RGB: 75, 0, 130
- HSL: 274.62°, 100%, 50.98%
- Mood: Bold, Romantic
- Style: Vivid
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: #378200
- Triadic colors: #824B00, #00824B
- The name comes from indikon (Ἰνδικόν) (Greek).
Live Components
Color Palettes
Color Harmonies
Complementary
The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.
Split-Complementary
Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.
Tetradic (Square)
Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.
Monochromatic
Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.
Shades & Tints
A seamless scale of #4B0082 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
Indigo, as a dye, has a long and rich history, dating back thousands of years. Evidence of its use has been found in ancient Egypt, India, China, and Peru. The name 'indigo' itself comes from the Greek 'indikon', meaning 'from India', reflecting its primary source and trade route to the Western world. India was a major producer and exporter of indigo dye for centuries. The plant source, primarily *Indigofera tinctoria*, was cultivated for its leaves, which yield the blue dye. In Europe, woad (*Isatis tinctoria*) was the primary blue dye until the introduction of indigo from India, which offered a more vibrant and concentrated blue. The trade of indigo was highly lucrative and played a significant role in global commerce, including during the colonial era. Synthetic indigo was developed in the late 19th century, largely replacing natural indigo production due to its lower cost and consistent quality.
First Recorded Use
Before 1st Century CE (as a dye/pigment)
Cultural Associations
Indigo holds significant cultural importance across various civilizations. In India, it has been used for dyeing textiles, particularly cotton and silk, for millennia, and is associated with spirituality and royalty. In Japan, indigo dyeing (aizome) is a revered craft, producing deep blues used in traditional garments like kimonos and workwear. It is also seen in African textiles, such as the mudcloth of Mali, where indigo is used for its rich blue hues. Historically, indigo was a symbol of wealth and status due to its rarity and the complexity of its production. Its deep blue color has been associated with the sky, water, and the divine in many cultures.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #4B0082;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #4B0082;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #4B0082;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#4B0082,
#6FFF05
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#4B0082,
#6FFF05
);
}// SCSS variable
$indigo: #4B0082;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$indigo-r: 75;
$indigo-g: 0;
$indigo-b: 130;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $indigo;
color: rgba($indigo-r, $indigo-g, $indigo-b, 0.8);
}