In Hinduism, since vedic period there are numerous references to blue. Krishna (Vishnu) is typically depicted in blue and one of his adornments is peacock feather, with shades of blue and green. Shiva's neck is blue as he swallowed poison to save his devotees and so called 'Neelakatnan' (neel-blue kanta-throat). There are also other references to blue in secular literature in Tamil and Sanskrit.