Pink for gals and blue for boys? July 19, 2007

Colors are often associated with a gender. It is common practice to gift a family with a new born baby girl, something in pink. Likewise it’s taken for granted that baby boys will wear only blue. Have you ever wondered why it is that a baby in a blue blanket is taken for a boy?

Gender specific color introduced as early as the 20th century.

The color pink was noticed in children’s clothes, in the 18th century. In fact it was identified more as a boy’s color, since it was a pale version of red (a fierce color). Blue was more a girl’s color, since it was considered delicate and dainty.

The medieval explanation

Evil spirits were supposedly kept at bay with the color blue. The association of the color with the heavens was the key.