Definition
Rissian Blue (correctly, Russian Blue) most often refers to the Russian Blue cat, a natural breed from northern Russia with a silver-tipped blue-grey coat and green eyes. It can also mean a colour — the soft grey-blue of that cat's coat — and is sometimes used for Russia's cobalt-blue-and-white ceramics, such as Gzhel.
"Rissian" is simply a very common way of mistyping "Russian". There is no country called Rissia and no separate "Rissian Blue" tradition, whatever some websites claim. This short page tells you which Russian Blue you are probably looking for; our Rissian Blue hub covers all three in more depth.
Which Russian Blue Do You Mean?
The cat breed
Green eyes, plush blue-grey double coat, slim body, quiet and loyal nature. Linked to Arkhangelsk in northern Russia and shown in London as early as 1875. Read the breed guide.
The colour
A muted, silvery grey-blue named after the cat. Used for paint, fabric and fashion shades, but with no single official definition. About the colour.
The ceramics
Cobalt-blue painting on white: Gzhel ware from near Moscow and the Imperial Porcelain Factory's 1949 Cobalt Net pattern. About the ceramics.
The Russian Blue Cat in Brief
The Russian Blue is a natural breed, one that developed before deliberate breeding began. Tradition says blue cats from the port of Arkhangelsk (Archangel) were taken to Britain by sailors in the 19th century; the breed was first called the Archangel Cat, and one was exhibited at the Crystal Palace show in 1875. Breeders rebuilt the breed after the Second World War, and it is now recognised by the main registries.
- Looks: short, dense, silver-tipped blue-grey coat; vivid green eyes; large ears; slim, fine-boned body
- Temperament: gentle, quiet, affectionate with family, reserved with strangers, playful and intelligent
- Lifespan: commonly 15–20 years
- Care: easy grooming; watch the diet, as they tend to gain weight
Everything else — history in detail, health, cost and how to tell it apart from a Chartreux, Korat or British Shorthair — is in our Russian Blue cat guide.
Russian Blue the Colour in Brief
As a colour name, Russian blue describes a soft, cool grey-blue with a silvery quality — the colour of the cat. It is not a standardised colour, so a "Russian blue" paint from one brand can differ from another's. The same goes for combinations such as "taupe Russian blue": taupe is a warm grey-brown, and the exact shade depends entirely on the manufacturer, so check a physical swatch.
Russian Blue-and-White Ceramics in Brief
Russia has two famous blue-and-white traditions. Gzhel is named after a pottery area south-east of Moscow, known since the 19th century for cobalt-blue painting on white porcelain and faience, with a flowing floral style that is still made today. Cobalt Net is a porcelain pattern designed in 1949 by Anna Yatskevich at the Imperial Porcelain Factory (then the Lomonosov factory) in St Petersburg: a blue lattice with gold accents, still in production.
Quick Comparison
| Cat | Colour | Ceramics | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A pedigree cat breed | A descriptive shade name | Cobalt-on-white decorative ware |
| Connection to Russia | Traditionally from Arkhangelsk | Named after the cat | Made in Russia (Gzhel, St Petersburg) |
| Blue means | Blue-grey fur | Grey-blue | Deep cobalt blue |
| Read more | Cat guide | Colour | Ceramics |
Language note
Russian has two everyday words for blue: синий (SEE-niy, dark blue) and голубой (ga-loo-BOY, light blue). The Russian Blue cat is called русская голубая (ROOS-ka-ya ga-loo-BA-ya) in Russian — the "light blue" word, not the "dark blue" one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Russian Blue?
A Russian Blue is a natural cat breed from northern Russia, known for its short, dense, silver-tipped blue-grey coat, green eyes, slim build and gentle, reserved temperament.
Why is it called Russian Blue?
The cat was traditionally said to come from the port of Arkhangelsk in northern Russia and has a blue-grey coat; cat fanciers use "blue" for grey coat colours. The colour name Russian blue comes from the cat.
Is "Rissian Blue" something different from Russian Blue?
No. Rissian is a common misspelling of Russian. There is no separate Rissian Blue breed, colour or art tradition.
What colour are Russian Blue cats' eyes?
Adult Russian Blues have vivid green eyes. Kittens' eyes change colour gradually as they grow, and can look yellow before turning green.
Is Russian blue the same colour as navy?
No. Russian blue is a muted, silvery grey-blue, much lighter and greyer than navy. Brands use the name for slightly different shades, so check a swatch.
What is Russian blue pottery?
People often mean Gzhel, a style of cobalt-blue painting on white ceramics from the Gzhel area near Moscow, or the Cobalt Net porcelain pattern from the Imperial Porcelain Factory in St Petersburg.
Is the Russian Blue cat hypoallergenic?
No. It is often said to produce less of the main cat allergen than many breeds, and some allergic people react less, but no cat is allergen-free.
Where to Next?
Go deeper with the Russian Blue cat guide or the Rissian Blue hub. If you are curious about the spelling itself, see What Is Rissian?, and for another well-known "Russian" name that is not from Russia at all, read What Is a White Russian?