Puzzle - Blue Hydrangeas

It's interesting to note that in the initial Roman culture, the color blue was used by public servants or the authorities. That is WHY many police forces, particularly in the United States, wear blue uniforms; a nod to this ancient Roman tradition. Blue is said to be representative of heaven and in the Catholic Church is associated with the Virgin Mary. Most folks know that "once in a blue moon" is indicative of a rare event and "having the blues" usually means you're feeling down. Even the planet on which we reside is referred to as the "blue planet". There are many associations with the color blue: freedom, trustworthiness, dependability, wisdom. Often associated with a fourth wedding anniversary, the hydrangea symbolizes heartfelt emotions and can be used to express gratitude for being understood. The hydrangea was first discovered in Japan, and according to a Japanese legend, a proud emperor used a bouquet of hydrangeas as an apology to the family of a girl with whom he was in love. Since then, the flowers have served as a representation of heartfelt feelings, whether of joy or sadness. With its wooden stems and lacy, star-shaped flowers packed closely together in a pompom, the hydrangea’s color ranges from white to blue to pink and purple, depending on soil acidity. This stunning puzzle, with so many shades of blue, present a delightful challenge to even the most practiced puzzle master and makes a terrific holiday or birthday gift.