 Unlike packages, colors don't come in all shapes and sizes. They do come in a variety of shades that keep getting subtler and more varied in a world of computer color design. All colors have a cultural and often different psychological meaning. Listed below are common psychological meanings and some cultural ones.
1. Blue--a favorite color for many people. Dependable, trustworthy, committed and restful. Calming and sedate or cooling, aids intuition. Color of mourning in Iran. In ancient Rome, public servants wore blue just as our public servants, such as police, do today.
2. Red--inherently exciting, draws attention. As an accent, focuses attention on a particular element. Stimulates energy, increases enthusiasm, encourages confidence and action, a sense of protection from fears and anxiety. In Russia, red means "beautiful." India, Military people wear red, also for worn as purity. South Africa, red is mourning and good luck if a red bow is left on a new car. China--good luck.
3. Green--People's second favorite color. Ideal backdrop in interior design because it's part of the natural world and seen everywhere. Natural balance of blue and yellow. healing, (Doctors surgical gowns are sometimes green) soothing, and relaxing, can help alleviate depression, anxiety, nervousness, helps promote self-renewal, control and harmony. Ancient Greece, green meant victory. In the Scottish Highlands, green in a clan's kilt is a mark of honor. In China, green hats are worn on men who have cheated on their wives. A country symbol in Ireland and in India, the color for Islam.
4. Yellow--golden yellow. A positive future, optimism, enlightenment, happiness and creative thoughts. Stimulates mental activity. China, yellow is nourishing and ancient royalty. In Burma and Egypt, a mourning color. In Japan, courage. In India, worn by farmers and merchants. For Hindus, a celebration of Spring. For holistic healers, a peaceful color.
5. White--aids mental clarity. Neutrality, cleanliness, purity. Worn by doctors, nurses, and brides in the US. Promotes security in a happy home. Encourages clearing of clutter and obstacles. Evokes purification of thoughts or actions. Enables fresh beginnings. Color of mourning in China and Japan.
6. Orange--provokes a very strong response to love or hate the color. Basic combination of yellow and red. Associated with strong positive or negative emotions, flamboyant, fun-loving, warmth and energy. Stimulates activity and appetite, encourages socialization. Shades of peach, terra-cotta and rust have a broad appeal and are more calming. Halloween color, autumn, Protestant color in Ireland.
7. Gray--basic combination of black and white. Timeless, practical, solid, mixes well with most colors, expectant. Worn well in the business and fashion world. Can reveal feelings of depression, loss or be unsettling. No cultural correspondences found.
8. Black--authoritative, powerful. Evokes strong emotions, such as depression, sorrow or fear, restful emptiness, inconspicuous, mysterious, potential and possibility. Peaceful and grounding for Europeans and Americans in mourning. China, color for young boys. Mourning color for ancient Romans.
9. Brown-- basic combination of red and green. Stability, reliability, approachability, nature, earth, our organic world. Sense of orderliness, earth connection, feeling of wholesomeness. No cultural correspondence found.
10. Pink--basic combination of white and red. Bright pink with more red stimulates energy, increases blood pressure, respiration, pulse and heart beat. Inspires action and confidence. Softer tones with more white are calming, nuturing, soothing. No cultural correspondence found.
11. Purple--basic combination of red and blue. Richard Wagner's favorite color for inspiration, composed music in rooms of violet hues. Leonardo DaVinci wrote the power of meditation increased 10 times when sitting in light cast from a purple stain glass window.
Can cause unrest or uneasiness, defines undertone characteristics in other colors, uplifting, calming to mind and nerves, balance of rest and stimulation, eccentric, encourages creativity, a spiritual sense, favorite color of adolescent girls. Thailand, color of mourning for widows only. In the Western world, stands for royalty.
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