Julie-Ann
23-04-2010, 03:48 PM
Did you know that it is believed that different colours cause people to react in particular ways? Psychologists believe that different colours have different meanings. I thought I would go through some of the common ones for a bit of fun.
White - is purity and innocence. It also represents cleanliness maybe this is why doctors and nurses wear white. It is also the colour of summer as it reflects light.
Black - is the colour or power and authority as in a judges gown. Personally I wear it because it is slimming. In Western society it is also the colour of death.
Blue - is peaceful and calming. It represents the sky, oceans and rivers. It has been proven the people are actually more productive in blue painted rooms. Maybe we all need to paint our offices blue. If you choose a grey blue though it can be seen as icy & depressing.
Red - is the colour of love and passion. It can make your heart rate quicken. It is not recommended for bedrooms though as it is not relaxing. It is also the colour of power and confrontation. It is a very attention grabbing colour.
Yellow - we think of yellow as a very cheerful colour but researchers have found people will argue more and babies will cry more in yellow rooms. However I have read it speeds up metabolism. That’s it my whole house is now going to be yellow in a weight loss effort.
Green - is nature and calming. It is refreshing like new leaves. Due to its calming effect it is commonly used in hospitals.
Purple - is royalty and wealth, think of a kings robes they were often purple. It is of course a very feminine and romantic colour. Many people find it uplifting and encourages their creativity.
Brown - is the colour of the earth and is considered a solid colour. It says stability and reliability. It is natural and organic.
Orange - is a very warm colour. It makes us feel activie and energetic. It is also meant to stimulate appetites. Which explains the use of it in my favourite Italian and Indian restaurants.
I found this little colour test (http://www.prattandlambert.com/color/personality-quiz/interior/) that helps you choose the colours most suited for your home. I thought you might enjoy it.
Of course in other cultures colours can mean very different things. Black symbolizes death in Western culture but in some other cultures it is white. When we lived in Belgium we were told very early on never to give white flowers to a Belgian for this reason.
Do you know of some other cultural interpretations or some colours I haven’t included here?
White - is purity and innocence. It also represents cleanliness maybe this is why doctors and nurses wear white. It is also the colour of summer as it reflects light.
Black - is the colour or power and authority as in a judges gown. Personally I wear it because it is slimming. In Western society it is also the colour of death.
Blue - is peaceful and calming. It represents the sky, oceans and rivers. It has been proven the people are actually more productive in blue painted rooms. Maybe we all need to paint our offices blue. If you choose a grey blue though it can be seen as icy & depressing.
Red - is the colour of love and passion. It can make your heart rate quicken. It is not recommended for bedrooms though as it is not relaxing. It is also the colour of power and confrontation. It is a very attention grabbing colour.
Yellow - we think of yellow as a very cheerful colour but researchers have found people will argue more and babies will cry more in yellow rooms. However I have read it speeds up metabolism. That’s it my whole house is now going to be yellow in a weight loss effort.
Green - is nature and calming. It is refreshing like new leaves. Due to its calming effect it is commonly used in hospitals.
Purple - is royalty and wealth, think of a kings robes they were often purple. It is of course a very feminine and romantic colour. Many people find it uplifting and encourages their creativity.
Brown - is the colour of the earth and is considered a solid colour. It says stability and reliability. It is natural and organic.
Orange - is a very warm colour. It makes us feel activie and energetic. It is also meant to stimulate appetites. Which explains the use of it in my favourite Italian and Indian restaurants.
I found this little colour test (http://www.prattandlambert.com/color/personality-quiz/interior/) that helps you choose the colours most suited for your home. I thought you might enjoy it.
Of course in other cultures colours can mean very different things. Black symbolizes death in Western culture but in some other cultures it is white. When we lived in Belgium we were told very early on never to give white flowers to a Belgian for this reason.
Do you know of some other cultural interpretations or some colours I haven’t included here?