Maya Blue
HEX: #73C2FB | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#73C2FB
115, 194, 251
205°, 54% ,98%
54.18, 22.71, 0, 1.57
About Maya Blue
Maya Blue (#73C2FB) is a color with RGB(115, 194, 251) and HSL(205.15°, 54.18%, 98.43%). In design, it fits Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Background. Its complementary color is #FBAC73, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #FB73C2 and #C2FB73. The name comes from tlaquimilolli (for pigment bundles), or specific names for the plant/clay components (Nahuatl (likely)).
- HEX: #73C2FB
- RGB: 115, 194, 251
- HSL: 205.15°, 54.18%, 98.43%
- Style: Cool
- Use case: Text, Button, Background
- Complementary color: #FBAC73
- Triadic colors: #FB73C2, #C2FB73
- The name comes from tlaquimilolli (for pigment bundles), or specific names for the plant/clay components (Nahuatl (likely)).
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 #73C2FB from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Color Characteristics
Accessibility Simulation
#B0B0FC
#BBBBFB
#5FCACA
#BABABA
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
Maya Blue is a unique and remarkably durable pigment developed by the Maya civilization and other Mesoamerican cultures. Its vibrant turquoise hue remained stable for centuries, even in harsh tropical environments, resisting acids, alkalis, weathering, and biodegradation. The pigment is a nanocomposite material, a complex of indigo dye (derived from the *Indigofera suffruticosa* plant) and palygorskite clay. The exact method of its creation was a lost art for centuries until modern scientific analysis revealed its components and likely production process, which involved heating the indigo and palygorskite mixture. It was widely used in murals, pottery, codices, and even for ritualistic purposes, such as painting sacrificial victims.
First Recorded Use
Around 300 AD, possibly earlier (Late Preclassic)
Cultural Associations
Maya Blue held significant cultural and religious importance. Its use in murals depicted deities, rulers, and historical events, adorning temples and palaces. Its presence on sacrificial victims, particularly during rituals involving human sacrifice, suggests a profound symbolic connection to water, fertility, and the underworld. The color itself may have been associated with rain gods, such as Chaac, and other celestial or aquatic deities. Its exceptional durability allowed Maya art and symbolism to endure for millennia, providing invaluable insights into their worldview.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #73C2FB;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #73C2FB;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #73C2FB;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#73C2FB,
#FDFBF9
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#73C2FB,
#FDFBF9
);
}// SCSS variable
$maya-blue: #73C2FB;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$maya-blue-r: 115;
$maya-blue-g: 194;
$maya-blue-b: 251;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $maya-blue;
color: rgba($maya-blue-r, $maya-blue-g, $maya-blue-b, 0.8);
}