Vincent, Obviously there is a " recognized scheme" for blue in Masonry
Subsequent color associations are from Talks on Freemasonry by Brother. Kenneth J. Tuckwood, District Chairman of Masonic Education.
BLUE, A deep shade of Oxford Blue, originates from the Most Noble Order of the Garter: Our constitution refers to the color as garter blue. Light blue of private lodge clothing deliberately contrasts with deep blue of Grand Lodge clothing. Blue denotes immortality, eternity, chastity and fidelity. Pale blue represents prudence or goodness. In Masonry, blue is emblematic of brotherhood and friendship, to instruct that in the mind of a Mason those virtues should be extensive like blue arched Heaven itself. Among ancient Jews blue was a religious color: the High Priest wore a blue robe and one of the tabernacle veils was blue to represent air. The Hebrew word to designate blue or purple blue is tekelet and this word seems to reference symbolic characteristics of the color. Tekelet derives from a root signifying perfection. Among ancients, initiation into the mysteries and perfection were synonymous terms. In ancient days, solemn oaths took place on blue altars. Egyptians esteemed blue as a sacred color and the body of Amun, principal god of their theology was light blue to imitate his exalted, heavenly nature. Ancient Babylonians clothed idols in blue, according to the prophet Jeremiah. In mystical philosophy, Chinese employ blue as a symbol of their deity because they say black and red compounds in this color, which represents of the obscure and brilliant; male and female; active and passive principles. Hindus represent their God, Vishnu in sky blue to indicate wisdom emanating from God. To a Druid, blue represented truth. The first three degrees of Freemasonry, called blue degrees, are conferred in a Blue Lodge.
An artist, however, speaks volumes with use of color.
I've seen photos of Waite in Egyptian garb and he certainly employs Egyptian symbolism in his deck, which is in keeping with the GD tradition. Perhaps he gave Smith the Egyptian Blues:
Egyptian blue (irtiu, sbedj) made by combining iron and copper oxides with silica and calcium produces a rich color at first, however, it is so unstable that it sometimes darkens or changes hue over time. Blue is a symbol of the sky and the waters. From the sacred Nile river emerges the ultimate teacher of regeneration but this color transcends from water to sky. It extends symbolism, not simply in annual floods, where blue takes on the meaning of life-giver and a re-grower in an arid region, but also provides symbolism for the potent Sun God Ra, a deity reincarnated daily at dawn. Emblematic of the Nile, blue ties to crops, offerings and fertility. The phoenix, a symbol of the primeval flood, appears patterned from the Egyptian heron. Herons naturally possess a gray-blue plumage but often appear with bright blue feathers in art to emphasize their association with the waters of first creation. Amon, often shown with a blue face to symbolize his role in the creation of the world, led some pharaohs to order their faces depicted in blue, as well, if they sought an association with that deity. Baboons, which are not naturally blue, sometimes bear this color if they signify the eight deities, which embody primeval forces of chaos at creation. The blue ibis, also symbolizes Thoth, which leads to speculation that the baboons were colored blue to emphasize their marked ability to learn, which connects them to Thoth the teacher deity.
I find no indication that Biblical Blue influences the deck: Here's all I found there...
BLUE, describes the color of a wound. (Proverbs 20:30). It also describes fine cloth in multiple references, starting with (Exodus 25:4) and the sky (Revelations 5:17).
I did find some intriguing ties Yoruba based Caribbean Deities in the Majors. One might expect Waite to exhibit greater control of color in the Trumps. Smith spent childhood in Kingston Jamaica, where she learned Caribbean Folklore, which she reportedly enjoyed relaying to friends and associates. Exposure to the symbolism ascribed to colors by Caribbean religions likely form a basis on her grasp of what various hues meant. Although slavery no longer existed when Smith lived in Kingston, religious practices in the area originated from beliefs of slaves seized in West Africa from the Yoruba and Ashanti tribes. Anansi the Spider, central in rare Smith writings, stems from West African beliefs.
Colors on The Fool honor Orunla, a deity presiding over spiritual initiation into adulthood in Yoruba based Caribbean belief systems.
Orunmila (Orunla) – is the only Orisha who witnessed creation of the universe and is essentially next in line to Olodumare. Encompassing wisdom and divination, he rules human destinies. He is the Orisha of priests (Babalawos) and intellectually manifests himself to them only. Babalawos abide by the Table of Ifa, where secrets of the universe and life exist. Oshun is knowledge, while Orunmila is wisdom. The two deities work together, since wisdom without knowledge is useless and those who possess knowledge without wisdom are dangerous to themselves and others. Orunmila, linked with Saint Francis of Assisi, has colors of green and yellow. Collars created by his followers simply alternate yellow and green beads until the desired length.
The red/ white color scheme on The Magician honors the Caribbean deity Shango, a powerful magician that commands lightning.
Chango (Shango) – Ruler of lightning and thunder, Shango also emerges as a warrior, well known for his sexual prowess and many wives. He demands involvement in living life to the fullest and thus deals with day-to-day challenges. Attributed to Saint Barbara by worshipers, Shango colors consist of red and white. The collar consists of six red beads followed by six white beads; then, alternates red with white six times before repeating the pattern. Shango represents a powerful magician in Yoruba belief systems, which portray him as a Christ-like fourth king sent by Olodumare to present morality to humankind. After death by hanging, he became a deity.
Skirt colors on The High Priestess suggest feminine Yemaya, a mystical Caribbean deity honored by the white and blue of her realm the sea.
Yemaya - rules over the seas and oceans. She is the Mother of all and the basis of riches. She is deep and unknowable, like the waters she rules. She is also queen of witches and secrets. Considered the Orisha of mercy, she never abandons her children. Her saint is Our Lady of Regla, the patron Saint of Havana Port. Her colors are light blue and white or crystal and blue. Collars often exhibit seven crystal beads followed by seven blue beads; then a crystal bead alternates with a blue bead seven times. White might replace the crystal beads. This sequence repeats until attainment of the desired length occurs.
I can go on but this is already too long.
I DO stand corrected on when Waite embraced Freemasonry, thanks for catching it.