Persian indigo
A deep blue-purple once common in 19th-century navy uniforms
Persian indigo is a dark blue-violet colour, named for its link to Persian-dyed cloth. Once called regimental, it was widely used for navy uniforms in the 19th century but is now rare. The name refers to the indigo-dyed textiles from Persia.
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- Also called regimental in the 19th century
- Used for navy uniforms by many nations
- Named for Persian indigo-dyed cloth
- First called regimental in English in 1912
What colour is Persian indigo?
Persian indigo is a dark shade that sits between blue and violet. It stands out for its strong, rich tone, deeper than many other blues. The colour is linked to cloth once dyed with indigo in Persia, giving it a distinct, historical character. Its deep hue made it suitable for uniforms, offering both dignity and practicality.
Where does Persian indigo come from?
The name Persian indigo comes from its association with Persian textiles dyed using indigo. The colour was originally called regimental, a term first recorded in English in 1912. This earlier name reflected its use in military dress. Over time, the name shifted to highlight its Persian roots and the traditional dyeing methods of the region.
Where Persian indigo is used
In the 19th century, Persian indigo—then known as regimental—was a common choice for navy uniforms across many countries. Its deep, dark tone made it a practical and formal option for military dress. Today, it is rarely used for uniforms, but the name and colour remain linked to its historical textile roots.
Blue around the world
What the blue family means from country to country.
Lapis lazuli has been mined in the mountains of Badakhshan for more than six thousand years. Ground to powder it gave ultramarine, the costliest blue in European painting.
Royalty and powerSacred and holyAweSource: Lapis lazuliThe chadari is a full-length covering for women with a mesh panel over the eyes. In Kabul and the north it is most often a light blue.
Protection and healingSource: BurqaThe blue band of the flag stands for the wish of the Armenian people to live under peaceful skies. The red above it is for the highlands and the struggle to survive.
Politics and protestHopeSource: Flag of ArmeniaThe flag is sky blue, white and sky blue, created by Manuel Belgrano in 1812. National teams are called the Albiceleste, the white and sky blue.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of ArgentinaBoca Juniors play in blue and gold. The club's story is that in 1907 it took the colours of the flag of the next ship into port, which was Swedish.
Festival and celebrationPrideSource: Boca JuniorsTo be true blue is to be honestly and loyally Australian. The phrase is older than the country, but Australians have made it their own.
Politics and protestTrustSource: True Blue (John Williamson song)Shades and relatives of Persian indigo
Persian indigo is closely related to other deep blue and violet shades. It may be confused with standard indigo, but Persian indigo is typically darker and has a stronger violet cast. The name regimental is an older term for this same colour.
Colours that go with Persian indigo
Harmonies are worked out from the value #32127A. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Persian indigo
What colour is Persian indigo?
Persian indigo is a dark shade between blue and violet, deeper than standard indigo.
Where does the name Persian indigo come from?
The name refers to Persian cloth dyed with indigo, linking the colour to traditional textiles from Persia.
What was Persian indigo used for?
In the 19th century, it was widely used for navy uniforms by many nations and was then called regimental.
When was the name regimental first used?
Regimental, the original name for Persian indigo, was first recorded as a colour name in English in 1912.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Persian blue" (the section "Persian indigo"), written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Rang rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. The swatch is an approximation: named colours are not fixed standards, and every screen shows them a little differently. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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