Colour Symbolism Chart Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire,

blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate. Pink symbolizes love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm. Beige and ivory symbolize unification. Ivory symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. Beige symbolizes calm and simplicity. Joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship. Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant. Turquoise symbolizes calm. Teal symbolizes sophistication. Aquamarine symbolizes water. Lighter turquoise has a feminine appeal. Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning. Lavender symbolizes femininity, grace and elegance. Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention. Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor. Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort. Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm. Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical. Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures). Eastern World: Marriage: White and pink are favorite just as in the

Emotions: Blue is seen as conservative. Red is power and aggression. Brighter colours such as yellow and orange represent warmth not only with emotions but also with temperature. Cool colours are blue, green, black or any colour with a dark shade. When someone is feeling down or depressed, it is said they are feeling "blue." When someone is angry they "see red." When someone is seen to be afraid or "chicken" they are called "yellow." Ecology: Obviously green is the major colour symbolizing ecology. The new phrase for people or companies who find ways to cut back on electricity, fuel, or things that damage the environment is "going green." Religion: Colours are also used in religious ceremonies or represent aspects of religion. Native Americans include colours in religious ceremonies. The Navajo Nation considers four colours to be important: Turquoise, white, yellow, and black. These colours represent four sacred mountains. Use in Therapy: Colours are sometimes used in therapy. Colours have a huge effect on people who have brain disorders or who are emotionally troubled. The colour blue has a calming effect on many people and lowers respiration and blood pressure. Some therapists use green to sooth and relax emotionally disturbed people who suffer from anxiety or depression. Some claim that the colour violet is good for migraines Yellow helps energize people and relieves depression. Colour in World Culture: Colour means many different things to different people and cultures. We all have our own favourite colours. People like different colours. Colour also represents feelings, people, countries, cultures, and colour symbolism

Meaning of the Colour Blue

Blue is the overwhelming "favourite colour." Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed. The colour of sky and the ocean, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives. As the collective colour 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 colour that expresses exhilaration. Some shades or the overuse of blue may come across as cold or uncaring. Blue is the least "gender specific" colour, having equal appeal to both men and women. The colour blue affects us physically and mentally * Calming and sedate * Cooling * Aids intuition Blue around the globe

In Chinese culture, colours corresponded with the five primary elements, the directions, and the four seasons. Blue was associated with wood, east, and spring. Blue, blue-green, and green are sacred colours in Iran, where they symbolize paradise. In India, paintings of the god Krishna often depict him as having blue skin. In the United States, post office mailboxes are typically blue. In Mexico, blue is the colour of mourning. In Aztec culture, blue symbolized sacrifice.

In Greece, the colour blue is believed to ward off "the evil eye." Those who believe in this Greek superstition often wear a blue charm necklace or blue bracelet for protection. Religious & mythological associations with blue

Several mosques are referred to as the Blue Mosque: o The Blue Mosque of Tabriz in Tabriz, Iran o The Blue Mosque of Cairo in Cairo, Egypt

o o o o o

The Blue Mosque of Yerevan in Yerevan, Armenia Rawze-e-Sharif in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque in Shah Alam, Malaysia. The Catholic religion associates blue with the Virgin Mary.

Meaning of the Colour Green

Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye and is second only to blue as a favourite colour. Green is the pervasive colour in the natural world, 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 colour 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. The colour green affects 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 Green around the globe

Green is used worldwide to represent safety. In several religions, green is the colour associated with resurrection and regeneration. In Ghardaia and other parts of M'zab, houses painted in green indicate that the inhabitants have made a pilgrimage to Mecca. Green, blue-green, and blue are sacred colours in Iran, where they symbolize paradise. As the emblematic color of Ireland, green represents the vast green hillsides, as well as Ireland's patron saint, St. Patrick. In Japan, green is regarded as the colour of eternal life. In Aztec culture, green was considered to be royal because it was the colour of the quetzal plumes used by the Aztec chieftains.

The solid green flag of Libya is currently the only national flag of a single colour. In China, jade stones represent virtue and beauty. In Portugal, green is the colour of hope because of its associations with spring. In the highlands of Scotland, people used to wear green as a mark of honour.

Religious & mythological associations with green

In several religions, green is the colour associated with resurrection and regeneration. Green is the colour of love associated with both Venus, the Roman goddess and Aphrodite, the Greek goddess. The prophet Mohammed wore a green cloak and turban. The God of fertility in Celtic myths was associated with green. Green is the colour associated with Sunday in the Catholic church and the altar cloth is usually green for Sunday services. Green is the colour that represents Irish-Catholics, while orange represents Irish-Protestants.

Meaning of the Colour Yellow

Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colours and instil optimism and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts. The colour yellow affects us mentally and physically * Mentally stimulating * Stimulates the nervous system * Activates memory * Encourages communication

Yellow around the globe

In Chinese culture, colours corresponded with the five primary elements, the directions, and the four seasons. Yellow was associated with earth and the center (in relation to direction). The Chinese have placed a predominance upon the colour yellow not seen elsewhere in the world. It was the colour of emperors during both the Ming dynasty and the Qing dynasty. Huangdi, also known as the Yellow Emperor, is thought to be the founder of Chinese civilization, due to the tremendous amount of inventions that took place during his reign. In India, yellow is the colour of the Vaisya caste, or farmers, and is the colour Hindus wear to celebrate the Festival of Spring. During the tenth century in France, the doors of traitors and criminals were painted yellow. During the 1357 Japanese "War of Dynasty," warriors wore a yellow chrysanthemum as a pledge of courage. Jews wore yellow armbands in Nazi concentration camps. In Aztec culture, yellow symbolized food because it was the colour of corn, the primary food of the Aztec people. Yellow signifies sadness in Greeces culture and jealousy in Frances culture.

Religious & mythological associations with yellow

Yellow is representative of "Greed" in Christianity.

Political associations of yellow

The phrase "Yellow Dog Democrat" refers to a person who is a hardcore Democrat. This originates back to Southerners in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries who disliked the Republicans. Such people would rather vote for a yellow dog than a Republican. Yellow is the symbol for liberalism in many countries.

Meaning of the Colour 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 colours. 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. The colour orange affects us mentally and physically * Stimulates activity * Stimulates appetite * Encourages socialization

Orange around the globe

American Indians associate the colour orange with kinship. In China and Japan, orange is used to symbolize happiness and love.

Religious & mythological associations with orange Orange is representative of "gluttony" in Christianity. Political associations with orange

Orange is the national colour of the Netherlands because its royal family owns the principality of Orange. In Ireland, the use of orange dates from the reign of William of Orange, the Protestant English king and a Dutch stadholder.

Meaning of the Colour 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 colour often well liked by very creative or eccentric types and is the favourite colour of adolescent girls. The colour purple affects us mentally and physically * Uplifting * Calming to mind and nerves * Offers a sense of spirituality * Encourages creativity Purple around the globe

In Thailand, purple is worn by a widow mourning her husband's death. The purple in the U.S. military Purple Heart award represents courage. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the United States armed forces who have been wounded in action. In Tibet, amethyst is considered to be sacred to Buddha and rosaries are often fashioned from it. A man with the rank of Roman Emperor was referred to as "The Purple" -- a name that came from the colour of the robe he wore. In Japan, the colour purple signifies wealth and position. Purple was the royal colour of the Caesars. In pysanky, the traditional Ukrainian form of egg dying, purple speaks of fasting, faith, patience, and trust. Purple denotes virtue and faith in Egypt. In Tudor Britain, violet was the colour of mourning, as well as the colour of religious fervor.

Religious & mythological associations with purple

Purple is representative of "pride" in Christianity. In Christianity, purple is associated with Advent and Lent. Catholic priests wear purple vestments before performing Reconciliation.

Meaning of the Colour Brown

Brown says stability, reliability, and approachability. It is the colour of our earth and is associated with all things natural or organic. The colour brown affects us physically and mentally * Feeling of wholesomeness * Stability * Connection with the earth * Offers a sense orderliness Brown around the globe

In the United States, Thanksgiving is represented by brown and orange. The Japanese do not have a specific word for brown. Rather, they use more descriptive names such as tea-colour," "fox-colour," and "fallen-leaf. In India, brown is the colour of mourning because it resembles dying leaves. American Indians believe the colour brown represents the power of self-discipline.

Meaning of the Colour White

White projects purity, cleanliness, and neutrality. Doctors white coats, nurse uniform and bride traditionally wears white gowns, because white symbolizes a virgin. White means kindness. In some cultures white is worn at funerals. White is Monday's colour. White daisies are a symbol of loyal love. The colour white affects us mentally and physically * aids mental clarity * encourages us to clear clutter or obstacles * evokes purification of thoughts or actions * enables fresh beginnings White Energy White is not a colour, but the manifestation of the presence of all colour - the complete energy of light. It stands for wholeness and completion. In many cultures it represents openness and truth. White has a cold quality. It can provides clarity as its energy is complete. White has purification vibrations and can be used to clear blocks from your path.

It holds the potential to move toward every other colour and this makes it a good choice for new beginnings, and development in any direction. White around the globe

White is the traditional colour worn by brides in the western world, as well as in Japan. White is a colour of mourning in China and parts of Africa. It was the custom for the Queens of France to wear deuil blanc or "white mourning" White was the colour of deepest mourning among medieval European queens was white rather than black. This tradition survived in Spain until the end of the fifteenth century. In Chinese culture, colours corresponded with the five primary elements, the directions, and the four seasons. White was associated with metal, west, and autumn. A white flag is universally recognized as a symbol of truce. The Japanese have six distinct terms to define whiteness The ancient Greeks wore white to bed to ensure pleasant dreams.

Religious & mythological associations with white

In Christianity, a white lily represents the Madonna.

On Yom Kippur the Grand Rabbi dresses in white to restore an amiicable relationship between God and his people. In the Bible, white represents the color of light and is an emblem of the divine.

Meaning of the Colour Grey

Grey is timeless, practical, and solid. A longstanding favourite suit colour, grey can mix well with any colour. Although well like and often worn, people rarely

name grey as a favourite colour possibly because Grey also is associated with loss or depression. The colour grey affects us physically and mentally * unsettling * expectant Religious & mythological associations with gray

Grey is the colour for Lent in Christianity. Grey is representative of mourning and repentance in Christianity.

Meaning of the Colour Black

Black is authoritative and powerful; because black can evoke strong emotions too much can be overwhelming. A classic colour for clothing possibly because it makes the wearer appear thinner and more sophisticated. How the colour black affects us physically and mentally * feeling inconspicuous * a restful emptiness * mysterious evoking a sense of potential and possibility. Black--favourite colour of priests and penitents, artists and ascetics, fashion designers and fascists- has always stood for powerfully opposed ideas: authority and humility, sin and holiness, rebellion and conformity, wealth and poverty, good and bad. In this illustrated

Black around the globe

In Chinese culture, colours corresponded with the five primary elements, the directions, and the four seasons. Black was associated with water, north, and winter. In Aztec culture, black represented war because black obsidian glass was used as the cutting edge of battle swords. It was also the symbol of religion; priests wore no other colour but black. In the west, black is the colour of mourning but the custom of wearing unadorned black clothing for mourning dates back at least to the Roman Empire, when the Toga pulla made of dark-coloured wool was worn during periods of mourning.

In rural areas of Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece widows will wear black for the rest of their lives. The immediate family members of the deceased will wear black for an extended period of time. In China, black is a traditional clothing colour for boys.

Meaning of the Colour Red

Red has more personal associations than any other colour. 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. The colour red affects us mentally and physically * Increases enthusiasm * Stimulates energy * Encourages action and confidence * A sense of protection from fears and anxiety The colour red is strongly linked with two opposite emotions-1. Love - red roses, rosy red lips, red hearts, sexy red dress... 2. Aggression-seeing red, red in the face, fast red sports car, red power tie...

Red around the globe

Red represents beauty in many languages and cultures, including Russia.

In Chinese culture, colours corresponded with the five primary elements, the directions and the four seasons. Red was associated with fire, south, and summer. In China, red is associated with good luck and fortune. In Japan, the colour red is associated closely with a few deities in Shinto and Buddhist traditions, so statues of these deities are often decked in red clothing or painted red. Mark Schumacher has a page on his site the goes into depth on the Color Red in Japanese Mythology. In Sweden, Falun red (red based on the pigment from the Falun mine) was reserved for the privileged class. In Greece, Easter eggs are dyed red and the Greek expression "piase kokkino" ("touch red") is said when two people say the same thing at the

same time. It is believed that such an occurrence is an omen that the two will have an argument in the future, which can only be broken when the two touch the closest thing that is red. In India, a red mark on the forehead is said to bring good luck.

To the Hindu, red symbolizes joy, life, energy, and creativity. Islamic, Hindu, and Chinese brides traditionally wear red. Red amulets were worn in many cultures to prolong life. In Singapore, the colour red traditionally symbolizes joy. Chinese New Year is celebrated by wearing red clothing and decorating the house with red. Red envelopes with "luck money" are given to unmarried children to bring good fortune to them for the rest of the year. Red symbolizes feast days of martyrs in the Catholic church. In Israel, kosher clothing stores banned the colour red and sell only loose-fitting apparel for women.

Political associations with red Red is the colour most associated with the Soviet Union during communist reign.