Water Color

Light blue like clear shallow water, the color of summer's poetic charm

HEX#87C5E2

RGBrgb(135, 197, 226)

HSLhsl(199, 61%, 71%)

HSVhsv(199, 40%, 89%)

CMYKcmyk(40%, 13%, 0%, 11%)

HEXA#87C5E2FF

RGBArgba(135, 197, 226, 1)

HSLAhsla(199, 61%, 71%, 1)

OKLCHoklch(89.7%, 0.042, 224)

LCHlch(88.4%, 22.7, 226)

🎨 Color Palettes

Analogous2-3 adjacent hues (≤60°)

Triadic3 hues spaced 120° apart

Split ComplementaryMain color + colors adjacent to its complement

Complementary2 hues spaced 180° apart

Tetradic (Rectangle)4 hues forming a rectangle

MonochromaticSingle hue with varying saturation and lightness

♿ WCAG Contrast Colors

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Aa14px Body

High Contrast Text

#113546Ratio 6.9:1AA

Suitable for body text, headings, and primary content, ensuring readability for all users

Aa14px Body

Standard Text

#2A42ACRatio 4.5:1AA

Suitable for regular body content, meeting WCAG AA standards

Aa14px Body

Large Text / UI Components

#764AD3Ratio 3:1AA Large

Suitable for large text (≥18px bold or ≥24px), icons, UI component boundaries

Aa14px Body

Decorative / Dividers

#D553ACRatio 2:1Fail

Suitable for decorative elements, dividers, non-essential text

📊 Color Scales

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Lightness VariationFixed hue and saturation, stepwise lightness adjustment ±30%

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#369ECE

#5FB2D8

#88C6E2

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Saturation VariationFixed hue and lightness, stepwise saturation adjustment ±30%

#9EBDCC

#97C0D3

#8FC3DB

#88C6E2

#81C8EA

#79CBF1

#72CEF8

Lightness + Saturation Mixed VariationSimultaneous lightness and saturation adjustment

#4587A5

#539EC1

#6BB1D1

#85C3E0

#A2D4EB

#BEE3F4

#BBE4F6

Hue Fine-TuningFixed saturation and lightness, stepwise hue fine-tuning ±15°

#88DCE2

#88D5E2

#88CDE2

#88C6E2

#88BEE2

#88B7E2

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💡 Use Cases

🎐

Wind Chime Glass

Edo-style wind chimes are often made of Water Color glass, hung under the eaves for both visual and auditory coolness, a staple of Japanese summer poetry.

🍧

Shaved Ice Syrup

Shaved ice at summer festival stalls drizzled with Water Color Hawaiian Blue syrup, a dual sensory relief from the heat with cool, sweet visuals and taste.

🧴

Skincare Packaging

Japanese skincare hydration lines often choose Water Color for bottles, conveying a product philosophy full of moisture, fresh and unburdened.

📔

Journal Stationery

Journal covers and inks in the Water Color family add a refreshing touch of daily life and ritual to personal records.

📜 Origin & History

Water Color is a named color in Japanese tradition that captures the essence of clear, shallow flowing water. It captures the transparent blue tone of shallow mountain streams and rivers during spring thaw, similar to China's 'Water Blue,' but Japan's 'Water Color' emphasizes a seasonal feel and cooling sensation more.

In the Heian period, Water Color already appeared in the noble 'kasane-iro-me' (color layering) system. 'Kasane-iro-me' is a method of coordinating multiple layers of clothing to show a gradient. Water Color was often used as a light layer for summer ensembles, layered with white and light green to express the coolness of early summer.

During the Edo period, Water Color appeared extensively in Ukiyo-e. In Hokusai's 'Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,' Water Color was used to depict lakes at the foot of Mount Fuji and rivers in Edo city. The contrast between Water Color and the deep blue of Prussian Blue formed the classic color spectrum of Ukiyo-e landscapes.

After the Meiji era, Water Color was exported internationally as a 'Color of Japan.' When the Japanese government participated in World Expositions, pavilion decorations often used a combination of Water Color and red, symbolizing Japan's natural characteristic of being surrounded by the sea on all sides and the red-and-white of the national flag.

In modern Japanese life, Water Color remains the symbolic color of summer. From syrup on shaved ice to Yukata patterns, from Japanese-style goods to cosmetic packaging, the coolness and transparency carried by Water Color make it a visual antidote against the oppressive heat.

🧠 Color Psychology

Purifying StreamThe refreshing sensation of a clear stream washing one's feet, cleansing the body and mind of fatigue and heat, regaining a sense of original purity.

Transparent HonestyThe crystal-clear light blue cultivates a character of honesty without deceit, allowing one to present their true self without disguise.

Cherishing the MomentA color image as transient as melting snow water, evoking a cherishing of the present moment and the Japanese concept of 'Ichi-go Ichi-e' (one encounter, one opportunity).

Youthful VitalityThe lightness of the light tone is linked to the refreshing image of youth, bringing suggestions of youthfulness, vigor, and infinite possibilities.

Acceptance and ToleranceThe quality of water, having no fixed form and thus able to contain all things, helps open the heart to accept differing opinions and diverse cultures.

Cooling CalmnessThe visual cooling effect is significant, helping maintain composure and restraint in high temperatures and irritability, avoiding the regret of impulsive actions.

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