Moon White

"After rain, the sky clears—make this color for me." This legendary quote from Emperor Huizong describes Ru kiln's Sky Cyan. Using agate in the glaze, Ru ware achieves a jade-like blue that shifts subtly with light. Only ~70 pieces survive, each priceless.

Cobalt Blue is China's most globally influential color. In the Yuan Dynasty, Persian cobalt met Jingdezhen porcelain clay, creating stunning blue-and-white ware that spread along the Maritime Silk Road. A Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white jar sold for ¥230 million in 2005.

The silver fern is New Zealand's most iconic plant; Māori used the reflective underside to find paths at night. The national rugby team, the All Blacks, wears a black jersey with a silver fern, making it a symbol of national pride.

Dai Black is a deep blue-black. Women used dai stone for eyebrow painting, making "dai brows" synonymous with beauty. Lin Daiyu in "Dream of the Red Chamber" is named for this color—her brows like distant mountains in dai haze, suggesting her melancholic elegance.

Izumi Blue comes from traditional Japanese indigo dyeing. "Izumi" means "harmonious spring," suggesting clarity and tranquility. Indigo has about 20 color levels from lightest to darkest, each with a specific name. Izumi Blue sits in the lighter range, the most common blue for Edo period commoner clothing.

In southern Argentina, Perito Moreno Glacier calves into lakes whose suspended rock flour creates a dreamlike blue. The hue is cold and clear, like the breath of the end of the world. The outdoor brand Patagonia takes its name from this land.