In the Ancient Greek language, there was no word for blue. With its inlets, isthmuses, harbors and peninsulas, the sea surrounds the mainland and – of course – all the islands. Poseidon dominates Greek life. Thus, the ancient ones saw so many colors in the sea, that blue was far too complicated to pin down in one word. Homer called it wine dark. Sailors must know how to read it. The fickle sea changes color in an hour.

In Iceland, there are 46 to 100 words for words for snow. Those who live by the sea or the snow see far more there than we mere mortals can.