Red is the most emotionally intense color. It stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red may not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are perceived to be faster than other color cars. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent.
The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker room that the opposing team uses bright pink so that their opponents will lack energy.
| References in Nature | Fire, Blood, Raw Meat, Flesh, Flowers, Fruit, Cardinals, Rubies |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Culture | Traffic lights, Stop signs, Fire engines, Planet Mars, Hearts (Valentine‘s Day), Christmas |
| Religion | The Devil |
| Historic and Political Associations | Communism in the 20th century |
| Other Cultures | An important color in China and Japan |
| Fashion | Attention getting, Sexy |
| OSHA Coding | Danger, Stopping, Fire protection and equipment |
| Optics | Red advances, thereby creating the impression that red objects are closer than they actually are. |
| Other | Reds are classified as yellow-based or blue-based (warm or cool). Yellow-based reds tend to appeal to males whereas blue-based reds appeal to females. |
Purple rarely occurs in nature. For this reason, in earlier times, only the very wealthy could afford purple clothing. The Emperor alone was allowed to wear purple robes during Roman times. Purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is so rare in nature, it can appear artificial.
| References in Nature | Orchids, Irises, Grapes, Plums, Cabbage |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Culture | Purple heart (Award for Bravery) |
| Historic and Political Associations | The imperial color of ancient Rome |
| Fashion | Associated with mourning in some Western and Eastern cultures |
| OSHA Coding | Hazardous nuclear energy |
| Optics/Physiology | The hardest color for the eye to discriminate |
The color of the sky and ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blues cause the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show that weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms. While blue is one of the most popular colors, it is the least appetizing. Blue food is rare in nature. Food researchers say that when humans searched for food, they learned to avoid toxic or spoiled objects, which were often blue, black or purple. When food dyed blue is served to study subjects, they lose their appetite. Psychological Symbolism:
References in Nature Sky, Oceans and Lakes, Blueberries, Bluebirds, Fish, Blue Bonnets and other flowers, Lapis and other gemstones Contemporary Culture Denim, Police Uniforms Historic and Political Associations The color of robes representing the station of philosopher in ancient Rome; signifies spiritual virtue in Christian art Other Cultures The color of immortality in China, the color of holiness for Hebrews, the color of the god Krishna in Hinduism OSHA Coding Blue cautions against the starting, use, or movement of equipment under repair Optics/Physiology Blue recedes, thereby creating the impression that blue objects are farther away than they actually are
Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calm, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the middle ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth.
| References in Nature | All vegtation, Lakes and other inland waterways, Emeralds, Jade and other gemstones, Birds, Fish |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Culture | Traffic Lights, Ecology and Conservation, American money, Christmas |
| Historic and Political Associations | Celtic Myths: the green man was the god of fertility |
| Fashion | Favored by sophisticated Europeans for many years, Avocado green was popular in the US during the 1960‘s, Stable pure shades of green was the color of the 1990‘s |
| OSHA Coding | Green is used for designating safety and areas of first aid equipment |
| Optics/Physiology | The most useful color to the eye; the lens of the eye focuses green light exactly on the retina; the range of green hues is very broad |
Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their temper more in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.
| References in Nature | Sunlight; Sand; Autumn leaves; Corn; Squash and other vegetables; Lemons, bananas and other fruits; Sunflowers, daffodils and other flowers; Canaries and other birds; Fish; Gold; Topaz and other gemstones; Human hair and animal fur; Urine; Phlegm; Pus; Jaundiced skin |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Culture | Traffic lights and signs designated to slow or caution; Taxis; Quarantine flags; Butter; Mustard and spices |
| Religion | Deities in Greek Mythology had yellow hair and robes. Therefore, yellow was not popular with early Christians. |
| Historic and Political Associations | Yellow Fever |
| Other Cultures | Symbol of the emperor in China; A sacred color in Hinduism; The color preferred by Confucius; An important color in early Egypt |
| OSHA Coding | Cautions against physical hazards. |
| Optics/Physiology | The color the eye processes first; The most visible and luminous color of the spectrum. |
| References in Nature | Fire; Sunset; Oranges; Mangoes; Apricots and other fruits; Pumpkins; Yams and other vegetables; Flowers and autumn leaves; Goldfish; Human hair and animal fur |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Culture | Life rafts; Copper; Symbolizes that a product is inexpensive; Halloween; School Bus |
| Historic and Political Associations | The Royal House of Netherlands is referred to as the "House of Orange." |
| OSHA Coding | Designates dangerous parts of machines or energized equipment which may cause injury. |
Solid, reliable brown is the color of the earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad or wistful. Men are more apt to say that brown is one of their favorite colors. Note: bown is a neutralized red or yellow.
| References in Nature | Earth; Tree trunks; Roots; Rocks; Autumn leaves; Cooked meat; Human hair and skin; Animal fur; Feces; Birds |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Culture | Chocolate; Coffee; Cola and other beverages; Rice; Grains; Sugar; Tobacco; UPS trucks |
Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Black outfits can be overpowering, or make the wearer appear aloof or evil.
| References in Nature | Night; Absence of light; Rocks; Hardened lava; Charred wood and other objects; Soot; Crows and other birds; Pupil of the eye; Human hair and animal fur; Onyx; Slate and other minerals |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Culture | Ink; Cast iron and other metals; Industrial machinery |
| Religion | The color of the Christian priesthood, representing self-denial; Evil forces |
| Historic and Political Associations | The color of the Egyptian god Osiris, representing the seed of life that grows in the dark; The Black Plague; Black Panthers |
| Fashion | Power color; The color of mourning in many Western cultures. |
Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility. White signifies cleanliness and is used in restaurants for that image, often with red to increase appetite.
| References in Nature | The non-color of light; Clouds; Snow; Sea foam; Flowers; Doves and other birds; Opals; Teeth; Whites of eyes; Animal fur; Cooked meat |
|---|---|
| Religion | Salvation; The holiness of the God figure; The purity of priesthood |
| Historic and Political Associations | The color of the flag of surrender; The color of mourning in ancient Rome and medieval France |
| Fashion | Wedding gowns symbolize chastity; The color of mourning in many Eastern and some Western cultures; Uniforms for doctors and nurses |
| Optics/Physiology | Pure white can produce glare and cause optical fatigue when used in large quantities |
| References in Nature | Rocks; Smoke; Clouds; Shadows; Human hair |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Culture | Concrete; Silver; Platinum; Steel and other metals; Industrial machinery |
| Optics/Physiology | One of the simplist colors the eye can see |
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