Indigo is a deep, rich blue color that comes in shades ranging from light to dark. It’s often associated with royalty and spirituality, and was used for clothing and dyeing textiles in ancient Egypt.
Indigofera tinctoria (also known as common indigo) is a plant native to India and Pakistan. Its leaves contain an alkaloid called indigo, which gives the plant its name. Indigo is a vivid blue color that fades when exposed to sunlight. It’s also one of the oldest dyes known to man.
In Greek mythology, the god Apollo was said to have given the first humans the gift of fire. He gave them two gifts: the ability to make tools out of wood and the ability to dye cloth with plants. One of these plants was indigo. Because of its bright blue color, indigo became known as “the bluebird of colors.”
The name “Indigofera” comes from the Latin word “indicus,” meaning “blue.” It was later shortened to “indigo.”
Indigofera tinctoria (also called woad) is an annual plant native to Europe and Asia. It produces small, white flowers with yellow centers. The leaves contain a substance called indigo, which gives the plant its name.
Indigo is one of the colors that fall between red and violet. It is often described as being a deep blue, although some people describe it as a greenish blue.