Ultramarine
General Information about Ultramarine
The hex color #051796, commonly known as Ultramarine, is a deep and intense shade of blue. It belongs to the blue color family and carries a sense of depth, sophistication, and stability. In color psychology, blue is often associated with trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. It is a color that promotes a sense of calm and security. Ultramarine, in particular, has a rich history dating back to ancient times, where it was derived from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli. This made it one of the most expensive and highly valued pigments, often used in Renaissance paintings to depict the robes of the Virgin Mary due to its perceived association with purity and holiness. Today, synthetic versions make it more accessible, but the color retains its aura of richness and historical significance. Its hex code is a representation of the color's specific shade within the digital color space, ensuring consistent reproduction across different devices and media.
The hex color #051796, a deep shade of Ultramarine, presents accessibility challenges due to its low luminance. When used as a background color, it requires very light text (ideally white or a very pale yellow) to ensure sufficient contrast for readability. According to WCAG guidelines, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for standard text and 3:1 for large text. This dark blue shade may struggle to meet these ratios with many common text colors. Tools like contrast checkers can help determine if the color combination passes accessibility standards. It's vital to consider users with visual impairments who may have difficulty distinguishing between colors with low contrast. Using this color sparingly, perhaps for decorative elements rather than essential text, can mitigate accessibility concerns. Consider providing alternative themes or stylesheets that offer higher contrast options for users who need them. Always test your color choices with real users, including those with visual impairments, to get practical feedback.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Website Headers and Footers
Ultramarine, with its depth and richness, finds excellent use in website headers and footers. Its somber and sophisticated tone makes a great container for white or light colored navigation links and secondary information. Using #051796 helps to create a sense of importance and reliability. This color can give a modern design a solid foundation. A large font will benefit from the strong background and will provide users with a memorable experience when visiting a page.
Evening Gowns and Formal Wear
In the realm of fashion, #051796 can be utilized for evening gowns or formal wear, projecting an image of elegance and mystery. Consider pairing this shade with silver or gold accessories to further enhance its appeal. Its dramatic character will allow for a strong individual expression. This color works for both clothes, shoes and accessories and will give the design that little extra.
Luxury Packaging
Ultramarine is an excellent choice for luxury packaging, imbuing products with a sense of sophistication and exclusivity. It can be used for boxes, labels, and ribbons, particularly for high-end cosmetics, perfumes, or spirits. Combining #051796 with metallic accents (such as gold or silver foiling) enhances the premium feel. The color helps to immediately communicate the high value of the products inside.