In Japanese symbolism, the color blue typically represents what?

In Japanese symbolism, the color blue is often associated with the ocean. This connection arises from the deep cultural significance of the sea in Japan, an archipelago where the ocean plays a vital role in both daily life and mythology. The sea is perceived as a source of life, bounty, and mystery, which adds to the reverence for the color blue. It reflects the serene and expansive nature of the ocean, symbolizing calmness and stability.

While other colors also carry their own meanings, blue's link to the ocean is particularly strong in Japanese culture. For instance, the traditional use of blue in textiles, such as indigo dyeing, often draws on this connection, celebrating the beauty and depth of water. The color is also linked to concepts such as purity and tranquility which arise from the ocean’s vastness.

The other options, while they have associations in different contexts, do not capture the primary symbolism of blue in Japanese culture as effectively as the connection to the ocean does.