Egyptian Blue

This could certainly have been a title of a sad blues song these days. As mentioned in the blogpost Have a colorful new year! I am trying to squeeze in some time  dedicated to a  project about colors. Ironically, before and during the early days of the riots in Egypt research lead me to Egyptian blue.

Some may have been be astonished, even shocked  to see how rocks, slings and primitive tools have been used in this war of freedom. I think it is important to remember that we are talking about a civilization that in prior times have been one of the most advanced in its time. What is truly fascinating is to understand how modern the ancient Egyptians were in their thinking and in their perception of the world. If you're not so into the history of colors here are some simple facts you need to know:  In the beginning all colors were developed, processed and extracted from plants and minerals all over the world and colors were an  important source for wealth and power - a big business commodity that in our days would have been traded on Wall Street! These were times were colors could have enormous power. As an example, the color purple was so sacred in some regions of the world that in our times it would have led to tickets and jail sentences if you wore too much of it not being a priest or a "holy" man.

Egyptians loved their blues and used many variations in a vast production of arts & crafts. Egyptian blue is made of silica, lime, copper and alkali and considered to be the first synthetic pigment invented and developed by the Egyptians thousands of years ago. An alternative to the much more expensive  mineral (stone) Lapis Lazuli. What really is astonishing, this accomplishment were a result of Egypt as a settled agricultural society far ahead of most countries. A civilization looking into the future encouraging growth of a non-labor workforce (like clerics) and advancement in science and the arts. It's time to look into the future again. Continued growth and expansion have better chances through a democracy giving the people, especially the young hope and strength and to avoid isolation in a globalized world.