Indigo is a deep blue color with a history reaching back to prehistoric times. Recent archaeological discoveries in Georgian caves suggest humans may have been using indigo dye as early as 34,000 years ago—making it one of humanity's oldest artistic practices. For millennia, India was the heart of indigo culture, where master dyers perfected techniques passed down through generations, making Indian textiles legendary along ancient trade routes. Derived from the Indigofera plant, this precious dye connected continents and cultures—from the intricate patterns of Indian block-printing to Japanese shibori, from ancient Egyptian burial cloths to the iconic blue of modern denim jeans.
