Bleu celeste facts for kids

Bleu celeste tincture

Bleu celeste (pronounced "bloo seh-LEST") is a special shade of blue used in heraldry. Heraldry is the art of designing and displaying symbols, like those on coats of arms or flags. This color means "sky blue" in French. It is not one of the seven main colors or metals usually found in heraldry.

Bleu celeste is a lighter shade than the more common blue called azure. It is sometimes also called ciel or simply celeste. This unique color started appearing more often after the First World War. It was used in symbols related to the Royal Air Force in England. Even so, it is still quite rare in British heraldry. Some experts even consider it a non-traditional color.

However, important groups like Britain's College of Arms in London do use bleu celeste. For example, in 2016, it was used in the design for the arms of Jacob Flamberg. You can also see bleu celeste in the coats of arms of countries like Israel and Peru. It was also used in the arms of Ray Hnatyshyn, who was a Governor General of Canada. The University of Natal Athletic Union even defined their "azure" blue as "sky blue."

Understanding Bleu Celeste in Heraldry

Bleu celeste is a unique color in the world of heraldry. It stands out because it is a lighter blue than the standard "azure." Imagine the clear, bright color of the sky on a sunny day; that's what bleu celeste looks like.

This color is mostly seen in European heraldry. After the First World War, it gained some popularity in England. It was often used for symbols connected to the Royal Air Force, showing a link to the sky. Historically, bleu celeste was shown as a very light blue. Sometimes, it was even treated like a metal in heraldry, which is very unusual for a color.

Modern Use of Sky Blue Tinctures

Today, heraldic authorities continue to use bleu celeste. They include it in new designs for coats of arms. This shows that even non-traditional colors can become part of official symbols.

For example, the arms granted to Jacob Flamberg in 2016 featured bleu celeste. It was used for parts of the shield and the decorative cloth around it. This demonstrates how this "sky blue" can be combined with other colors, like black (sable).

Bleu celeste also appears in the national symbols of different countries. Its presence in the arms of Israel and Peru highlights its international recognition. The use of "sky blue" to describe "azure" by the University of Natal Athletic Union further shows how this specific shade is valued.

Special Shades: Light Blue in British Heraldry

The supporters of the arms of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Notice the oars, one dark blue and one light blue.

Besides bleu celeste, there is another interesting example of "light blue" in British heraldry. This can be seen in the symbols of the former Municipal Borough of Barnes. This area is famous because the Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge universities passes through it on the River Thames.

The arms of Barnes showed two oars, representing the famous boat race. One oar blade was dark blue, for Oxford University. The other blade was light blue, for Cambridge University. This was a very specific way to use different shades of blue in heraldry.

In 1965, the Borough of Barnes joined with nearby areas to form the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The special colored oars were then moved to the "supporters" of the new borough's coat of arms. Supporters are figures, often animals, that stand on either side of the shield. This kept the tradition of the boat race alive in the new borough's symbols.

See also

• Columbia blue
• Carolina blue
• Sky blue
• Tekhelet
• Tincture (heraldry)