Blue Iris

Explanation

According to Pantone, which selected it as its color of the year for 2008, blue iris combines "the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple", thereby satisfying "the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement". Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman called it a reflection of the times because it "brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic."

Color Matters says that blue is "the faovirte color of all people", representing the water and sky as well as being frequently used as the color of heaven and authority, denim jeans and corporate logos. Its coolness makes it a sharp contrast from the warmth of red. Though this site doesn't specifically talk about blue iris, it's probably closest to bright blue, which suggests cleanliness, strength, dependability and coolness due to its associations with the ocean and water. Furthermore, most blues "convey a sense of trust, loyalty, cleanliness and understanding." However, it's also seen as a symbol of depression to most Americans, as seen in such sayings as "singing the blues" or "feeling blue." From a global perspective, blue is used in 53% of the flags in the world and is the most commonly used color in corporate identity. In Europe, blue tends to be associated with aristocracy, while Greeks believe that it wards off the "evil eye." The English saying "to feel blue" has no equivalent in other languages, but in German, "blau sein", which literally translates to "to be blue", means to be drunk, and in Russian, light blue means to be homosexual. In Korea, dark blue is the color of mourning, and the Hindu god Krishna has blue skin. In Belgium, blue is used for baby girls and pink for baby boys, the opposite of U.S. customs. Though blue is frequently used in design, combining it with another color creates a more creative effect. It is sharply refracted by the eyes, causing the lens to flatten and resulting in blue areas being perceived as receding and smaller. It also has very few connections to taste or smell, making it effective as a possible appetite suppressant.

Three Musketeers also doesn't have a specific entry for blue iris, but it notes that blue is the color of the Virgin Mary, creating an association with girls who have similar qualities, indicating femininity, life and purity. It can also suggest peace, calm, stability, security, loyalty and technology as well as depression.

Xerox has an international color guide that lists what colors mean for different countries:

USA: Blue is a male color, suggesting a corporate or conservative atmosphere, though it's the color of the liberal Democratic party rather than the conservative Republican party. It's apparently the most popular color in clothing for young people and can also suggest sadness, superiority (first place ribbons are usually blue), freshness, calm, water, cleanliness, winter and coolness.
Britain: Blue is the color of the Conservative party and symbolizes both constancy and lavaciousness. It's also the color of apprentices.
China: Blue represents the heavens, the east, clouds, the Azure Dragon of the East, spring and wood. Blue-colored gifts are associated with funerals, and the color has long been emblematic of workers' uniforms since peasants universally dressed in blue. It is also the accepted clothing color for adult men and middle-aged women.
Colombia: Blue is the color of the north and therefore associated with sickness and funerals, because illness is seen as coming from the north.
Egypt: Dark blue is a mourning color, and blue beads have sometimes been worn as charms against evil.
India: In Hinduism, blue is sacred since it represents Krishna.
Iran: A favorable color since it's believed by some to protect from the "evil eye".
Japan: Blue is representative of the theater, supernatural creatures, ghosts and villains.
Melanesia: Has colonial associations because of its connection to the British Union Jack
Mexico: Dark blue is a common color for mourning clothes, and for the Aztecs, blue represented sacrifice
Peru: For the Tupac Katari Indians, blue stands for space. A woman wearing a blue shawl is either engaged or married.
South Africa: Blue symbolizes a happy dove.
Tibet: Blue is the color of the East and sometimes the South, air, elephants and the thunderbolt. Light blue suggests celestial beings, and the blue in the flag symbolizes a female deity who is a special guardian of the flag.
Ukraine: Blue signifies the skies or air and can also be used to denote good health. It's used sparingly.

Web Reference says that, in North American mainstream culture, blue signals truth, dignity, power, coolness, melancholy, heaviness, trust/reliability and belonging. People from northern climates tend to prefer cooler colors.

Examples

Blue Iris Software

Google: the logo incorporates a color similar to blue iris

The Florida Aquarium

Works Consulted

Photo Sources