Mood Color

Color Psychology

Each individual’s choice of colors or thoughts on colors are deeply personal. Where one might favour one color, another might deeply despise it. It is often difficult to get two people to agree on color. However, even though two people might not agree on the color orange, they will agree on eating a delicious sweet potato cake. And if we are talking about brown, then everyone definitely loves chocolate chip cake.

The Psychological Effects of Color

Colors have always been a very strong force in people’s lives. We cannot go a day without seeing all the various colors that are all around us. It is important to know something about the different colors in the spectrum to understand them and to make our color choices.

Black is associated with different things that seem rather sad and dreary. This color absorbs all the light in the color spectrum. That is why people often speak about the black of night because anywhere where there is no light shining everything all around gets shrouded in black. This color is the symbol of evil or menace and associated with such dangerous characters as Dracula. In many cultures, black is associated with death and mourning but in ancient Egypt, this color represented life and rebirth.

White often has people wondering if it is actually a color. It always represents purity and innocence and that is the reason it was chosen as the color of bridal gowns. A room that is painted white gives a sense of space and makes the room seem larger than it actually is. This color has been described as being a cold, bland, and sterile color and therefore used in hospitals. On the positive side white associates with cleanliness and freshness and on the negative side, it can be stark and isolated. Looking on the positive side of the color, white make a delicious vegetable lasagna with white sauce.

Red is a passionate and vibrant color. It is associated with comfort, warmth, and love. It can also be associated with angry, intense feelings. For many people it is a favorite color and red roses are favored over others and it is the color of the heart.

Blue is a color that seems to be preferred by men as opposed to other colors. Blue has a calming effect and brings about a feeling of serenity. The color can also be associated with feelings of sadness when people say they feel blue. Blue also brings happiness when people see deep blue skies and blue waters that sparkles.

Green is a color associated with nature and all of the natural world. It stands for tranquility, health, and good luck. It is also associated with feelings of jealousy. Studies have shown that green has the ability of improve reading skills. Since ancient times it has been a symbol of fertility and was the chosen color for wedding gowns in the 15th century. It has a calming effect and is a good color for bedrooms. Green can relieve stress and help with healing.

Yellow is the color of the sun thereby associated with warmth and cheerfulness. This color can bring on feelings of anger and frustration. It is an energetic color that can increase metabolism. It is a great attention getting color since it is vibrant and bright.

Purple has long been associated with royalty. It is looked upon as the symbol of wealth and royalty. The color represents wisdom and spirituality and is connected to the mysterious and the supernatural. Purple is looked upon as being an exotic color and has a great deal of symbolism which is why in the U.S. the Purple Heart is one of the highest honors for bravery given in the military service. Purple has the strongest electromagnetic wavelength and therefore is often used in visual illusions. This color is regal and sensual. It is associated with wisdom and is a most soothing color.

Brown is a natural color that is associated with strength and reliability. It has been known to create feelings of sadness, loneliness, and isolation. It can bring to mind the feelings of warmth, comfort, and security. It is looked upon as a really down to earth color.

Orange is a color that is a combination of red and yellow; therefore it is considered to be a magnetic color. It brings to mind warmth, enthusiasm, and excitement. Orange is known for creating bright sunsets and is associated with autumn where orange fall leaves are the most colorful and pumpkins are harvested. It has long been a color of Halloween.

Pink is the color most associated with love and romance. It brings about a calming effect and is thought to be a feminine color. Pink brings about rosy hues and is associated with kindness and compassion.

Color Psychology as Therapy

The use of colors to heal was used in ancient cultures including the Egyptians and Chinese, who practiced chromotherapy. This therapy was also been referred to as light therapy or colorology and in modern times used as a alternative or holistic treatment.

When used in this kind of treatment the colors stimulate certain parts of the body:

• Red for the mind and body and to increase circulation.
• Yellow for the nerves and to purify the body.
• Orange to heal the lungs and to increase energy levels.
• Blue to help soothe illnesses and treat pain.
• Indigo shades to help alleviate skin problems.