Why did people decide that for babies pink is the girl and blue for a boy ?

Question

Is there a cultural reason? What country if so.? Or what? Was this a marketing strategy like the Santa CLaus costume colors by Coca Cola?

Answer 1

I've read a book called: Ever Wonder Why? By Douglas B. Smith.
Its very interesting... it asks questions such as yours.

Although blue is traditionally associated with boys as pink is associated with girls, there have also been periods in which pink was considered proper for boys and blue for girls, and times when no set colour convention appears to have been in place.

Why Is the Color Blue Used for Boys and Pink for Girls? Since babies look alike, it was long ago decided to identify their sexes through use of different colors. In ancient times, it was believed that evil spirits menaced the well-being of infants. It was also believed that evil spirits were allergic to certain colors, especially to blue. According to Dr. Brasch: "It was considered that the association of blue with the heavenly sky rendered satanic forces powerless and drove them away. Even in our own time Arabs in the Middle East continue to paint the doors of their homes blue to frighten away demons. Thus, the display of blue on a young child was not merely an adornment but a necessary precaution."


On the other hand, since female babies were considered inferior, it was felt they required no special color to protect them. In later times, parents became very much-conscious of the neglect of girls and introduced for them the new "pink" look... the color of a rose!

Answer 2

Those particular colors became popular in the US in the 50s.

Funnily enough, at the turn of the century it was just the opposite. From a website:
An American newspaper in 1914 advised mothers, 'If you like the color note on the little one's garments, use pink for the boy and blue for the girl, if you are a follower of convention. [The Sunday Sentinal, March 29, 1914.] A woman's magazine in 1918 informed mothers, 'There has been a great diversity of opinion on the subject, but the generally accepted rule is pink for the boy and blue for the girl. The reason is that pink being a more decided and stronger color is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is pertier for the girl.' [Ladies Home Journal, June, 1918]

Answer 3

The real answer behind such a question is because in older days boy babies were thought to be blessings from god and blue was considered as a colour which would build a protective layer around them.So the boy babies were dressed in blue.
After few years when the stories like thumbelina and so on were written, it said that girls are sweet and pink is a clour which represents sweetness.
So now most people do follow it.
Girls symbolise pink and boys do symbolise blue.

Answer 4

In ancient times, it was believed that certain colours could combat the evil spirits that lingered over nurseries. Because blue was associated with the heavenly spirits, boys were clothed in that colour, boys then being considered the most valuable resource to parents. Although baby girls did not have a colour associated with them, they were mostly clothed in black. It was only in the Middle Ages when pink became associated with baby girls.

Answer 5

Ive actually never thought of this before, i mean girls pink and baby boys blue, i dont know, maybe it`s a fashion thing, like the early fashion moguls came up with it and we have all gone with the flow.
The kids do look kinda cute in their colors.

Answer 6

Red is simply a colour which makes people go hungry, like KFC, McDonalds

Pink is known as a very feminine colour from wayyyyy back and girls who wear pink don't get mis-identified as boys because they have short-hair etc

Blue isn't always for boys because it's the fav colour of alotta of my friends

i have see this TV show where parents bought light blue overalls for their unborn girl, and red for boys.

even my bike is blue, whereas the guy brand of the bike is Red

Answer 7

Orignally pink was a boy color (it's a version of red- a very bold and masculine hue), and blue was a girl's color (a cool, calming color). Somewhere down the line the meaning were switched...

Answer 8

Because most of the baby girls like pink color and baby boys like blue.

Answer 9

Well i must say it is a very good question.......
So PINK colour, is a very soft and decent ,and very pretty, to see it gives a satisfaction to eyes ,it is very pleasent to view pink colour.........................so it very popular among girls .......................Blue is a masculine color; according to studies, it is highly accepted among males................ It is often associated with depth and stability..............that's why it for boys.............

Answer 10

pink is more of the feminine side & blue is more manly