Skip to navigation | Skip to content

Share your knowledge. Make a difference.

Color: Meaning, Symbolism and Psychology

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 41 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #31 in How-To

29 people favorited this page

Rated G. (Control what you see)

Created by Color_Expert (contact me)

Kate Smith, founder and contributing editor of Sensational Color is a recognized color expert, strategist and engaging speaker.

Kate shares her knowled...  (more...)

Start your own Squidoo page

Your fans are waiting!

 

Our reaction to color is almost instantaneous and has a profound impact on the choices we make everyday.

This lens is a quick look at general responses to colors based on research, historical significance of color and word association studies.

I have also included links to color personality tests that may give you some insight into your own color associations as well as how you react to different colors.

 

Meaning of the Color Blue 

Blue is the overwhelming "favorite color." Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed. The color of sky and the ocean, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives. As the collective color of the spirit, it invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming; however not all blues are serene and sedate. Electric or brilliant blues become dynamic and dramatic, an engaging color that expresses exhilaration. Some shades or the overuse of blue may come across as cold or uncaring. Blue is the least "gender specific" color, having equal appeal to both men and women.


How the color blue effects us physically and mentally
* Calming and sedate
* Cooling
* Aids intuition


For more information see "All About the Color Blue"

Meaning of the Color Green 

Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye and is second only to blue as a favorite color. Green is the pervasive color in the natural world that is an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it everywhere. The natural greens, from forest to lime, are seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a natural balance of cool and warm (blue and yellow) undertones. Green is considered the color of peace and ecology. However, there is an "institutional" side to green, associated with illness or Government-issued that conjure up negative emotions as do the "slimy" or bilious greens.


How the color green effects us physically and mentally
* Soothing
* Relaxing mentally as well as physically
* Helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety
* Offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony


For more information see "All About the Color Green"

Meaning of the Color Yellow 

Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colors and instill optimism and energy as well as spark creative thoughts.

How the color yellow effects us mentally and physically
* Mentally stimulating
* Stimulates the nervous system
* Activates memory
* Encourages communication


For more information see "All About the Color Yellow"

Meaning of the Color Orange 

Orange, a close relative of red, sparks more controversy than any other hue. There is usually strong positive or negative association to orange and true orange generally elicits a stronger "love it" or "hate it" response than other colors. Fun and flamboyant orange radiates warmth and energy. Interestingly, some of the tones of orange such as terra cotta, peach or rust have very broad appeal.


How the color orange effects us mentally and physically
* Stimulates activity
* Stimulates appetite
* Encourages socialization


For more information see "All About the Color Orange"

Meaning of the Color Red 

Red has more personal associations than any other color. Recognized as a stimulant red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Red draws attention and a keen use of red as an accent can immediately focus attention on a particular element.


How the color red effects us mentally and physically
* Increases enthusiasm
* Stimulates energy
* Encourages action and confidence
* A sense of protection from fears and anxiety


For more information see "All About the Color Red"

Meaning of the Color Purple 

Purple embodies the balance of red simulation and blue calm. This dichotomy can cause unrest or uneasiness unless the undertone is clearly defined at which point the purple takes on the characteristics of its undertone. A sense of mystic and royal qualities, purple is a color often well liked by very creative or eccentric types and is the favorite color of adolescent girls.


How the color purple effects us mentally and physically
* Uplifting
* Calming to mind and nerves
* Offers a sense of spirituality
* Encourages creativity


For more information see "All About the Color Purple"

Meaning of the Color Brown 

Brown says stability, reliability, and approachability. It is the color of our earth and is associated with all things natural or organic.


How the color brown effects us physically and mentally
* Feeling of wholesomeness
* Stability
* Connection with the earth
* Offers a sense orderliness


For more information see "All About the Color Brown"

Meaning of the Color White 

White projects purity, cleanliness, and neutrality. Doctors don white coats, brides traditionally were white gowns and a white picket fence surrounds a safe and happy home.


How the color white effects us mentally and physically
* aids mental clarity
* encourages us to clear clutter or obstacles
* evokes purification of thoughts or actions
* enables fresh beginnings


For more information see "All About the Color White"

Meaning of the Color Gray 

Gray is timeless, practical, and solid. A longstanding favorite suit color, gray can mix well with any color. Although well like and often worn, people rarely name gray as a favorite color possibly because Gray also is associated with loss or depression.


How the color gray effects us physically and mentally
* unsettling
* expectant


For more information see "All About the Color Gray"

Meaning of the Color Black 

Black is authoritative and powerful; because black can evoke strong emotions too much can be overwhelming. A classic color for clothing possibly because it makes the wearer appear thinner and more sophisticated.


How the color black effects us physically and mentally
* feeling inconspicious
* a restful emptiness
* mysterious evoking a sense of potential and possibility.


For more information see "All About the Color Black"

Color Quiz 

From True Value

MY RESULTS:

YELLOW is Your Color

You are quite the powerful thinker. It's this talent that allows you to overcome a plethora of great obstacles. Luckily, this doesn't affect your ego and you give off a pretty easy-going appearance. You enjoy the finer things in life and also have an attraction to art. If you can help it, you try not to rock the boat. But you also can't stop yourself from searching for new ideas, methods or styles.

This is the result given based of my answers to the color quiz. Why not find out what color you are?

Take the True Value Color Quiz or see below for other quizzes and color/personality information.

Color Personality Test 

from Better Homes & Gardens

Interestingly enough I came up as Yellow on this test too. My son has a different personality which resulted in green (which by the way is his favorite color).

MY SON'S RESULTS:

Your color personality is: GREEN

It sounds like the hue you most relate to is green -- the color most evocative of nature. Adjectives such as kind, gentle, and contemplative likely describe you. You enjoy being involved with your neighbors and coworkers, but you also require plenty of time to yourself to recharge.

You are social yet introverted, and modern but not trendy. Surround yourself with your signature color to create a restful, soothing environment. From sage to hunter, green can work well in virtually every room of your house. Use it generously to create a haven you'll love coming home to.

A fun color test but I'll warn you that the BH&G site has many annoying pop-up ads. If you can put up with that then take the test for yourself.

Better Homes & Garden's Color Personality Test

Based on the Work of Dr. Max Lûscher 

Color Reveals Personality

LÜSCHER COLOR DIAGNOSTICS ®
The Luescher-Color-Diagnostic measures a person's psycho-physical state, his or her ability to withstand stress, to perform, and to communicate. It uncovers the cause of psychological stress, which can lead to physical symptoms.
Color Quiz
This test is partially based on research by Dr. Max Lûscher during the early 1900's. He has devoted his life to the study of how color affects behavior and has been hired by some of the world's largest companies as a consultant.

Is the test reliable? We leave that to your opinion. We can only say that there are a number of corporations and colleges that use the Lûscher test as part of their hiring/admissions processes. It can be a useful tool for doctors and psychologists as well and is used to get a quick overview of potential issues patients may have in their lives.
Color Preferences Reveal Your Personality
Ever wonder why there are so many colors of new cars to chose from? What about the color of your shirt or blouse? What color is your bedroom? Your preferences for certain colors is a very personal one and psychologists - as well as marketing researchers - have studied the question of why certain colors appeal to certain people for years. These answers may lie in our attitudes towards life, as well as our emotional states.
Glidden Color Test
What do colors reveal about your personality?

More on the effects of color 

Visit the Pantone / Color Think Tank for a good visual on how colors affect each other in unusual ways and also effect us.

Quotes About Color 

"Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions." --Pablo Picasso

"Of all God's gifts to the sighted man, color is holiest, the most divine, the most solemn." --John Ruskin

"Painting is something that takes place among the colors, and one has to leave them alone completely, so that they can settle the matter among themselves. Their intercourse: this is the whole of painting. Whoever meddles, arranges, injects his human deliberation, his wit, his advocacy, his intellectual agility in any way, is already disturbing and clouding their activity." --Marie Rilke Rainer

See Over 300 Quotes About Color

Additional information on color meaning and symbolism 

Color Survey of Meaning
Results of a research project with the goal of discovering cultural similarities (and differences) based on color association, preference, and internet activities.

Color Pro Blog 

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by
X

Hi, I'm Color_Expert

Color_Expert

Join my fan club

Kate Smith, founder and contributing editor of Sensational Color is a recognized color expert, strategist and engaging speaker.

Kate shares her knowledge of color daily on her website Sensational Color and blogs: Color For Your Home , Color Pro , Live In Full Color and Views on Hues.

More pages by me...

See all my pages