Content-based image retrieval systems have become a reliable tool for many image database applications. There are several advantages of the image retrieval techniques compared to other simple retrieval approaches such as text-based retrieval techniques. This paper proposes an image retrieval technique that can be used for retrieving color images. In this paper, we propose two variations of an image abstraction technique based on signature bit strings and an appropriate similarity metric. The technique provides a compact representation of an image based on its color content and yields better retrieval effectiveness than classical techniques based on the images' global color histograms (GCHs). The proposed technique has many applications. These applications are described in details in this paper.