The Psychology of Colour

Colour has meaning in all countries of the world, throughout al, times, and especially in our modern world. the Mother of Jesus is shown in blue, and sometimes gold, Mary Magdalene often in red. Jesus is often shown in red, why should this be? As a form of recognition and because colours have meaning! 

Pantone, the colour specialist, has defined the most fashionable colour for the entire year of 2019 as 'coral' (or what I describe as 'salmon' which has less connotations with the sad situation of our seas where coral is dying due to pollution and being mined for jewellery).  However, this is a flattering colour for those with fair and sallow skin and it makes attractive decor, if a little light for practicality.


Colour has a fantastic history! In the past, many dyes and pigments were extremely toxic, and those who worked with them had sad and shortened lives. There are many surprises about colour, such as blue, being the colour of the Virgin Mary, was thought a suitable colour for baby girls, and pink, the faded colour of red, worn by Cardinals and huntsmen, was thought suitable for baby boys. We have the opposite in today's world!

The psychologist, Carl Jung was an early pioneer of the meaning and symbolism of colour. Colour Psychology highlights our unconscious associations. Colour is used most prominently and distinctly in branding and marketing. Food stuffs must never be presented on brown or black, thought to be related dirt or worse; medicines meanwhile, are best presented in blue or green, but never yellow or red containers, as these are considered to be potentially dangerous, and possibly poisonous. Green is considered a natural and healthy colour, so hospital walls are often painted green, and the green room is where celebrities relax prior to being interviewed on TV. Pink is thought to quieten prisoners.

Many colour associations are cultural. The Egyptian God Osiris was known as Lord of the red cloth but as he was a vegetation God, his skin has the colour, green. The Inca Goddess of Creation wears a red dress, and in China red is associated with good luck. Red surroundings, though considered luxurious, is highly stimulative, and sends up our blood pressure and is often used in sports arenas and also to increase intellectual performance. Red is the colour of blood and passions. 

Black dogs and cats are considered unlucky, and are often the last to be chosen from a litter. This choice demonstrates our superstitions, and black horses are unpopular choices to back at the races.

Mentioned in Homer's Iliad, Tyrian purple was traded by the Phoenecians from Tyre, 3,500 years ago. It was massively expensive. Only Julius Caesar was allowed to wear the purple cloth, anyone else dressed in the purple could be put to death. Unlike plant based dyes, this colour came from a snail and was fixed to the cloth with urine. 

Madder, a plant based fabric dye has been found on archaeology sites in India dating back 5,000 years. Natural redheads are thought to be temperamental, fiery and intense, though the ginger haired make up less than 2% of the global population.

In the West, black is the colour of death and repression, whereas in China, yellow represents death and funerals. Knowledge of colour gives us access to understanding history, our current life and the world of art. 
Article: Wendy Stokes    https://wendystokes.co.uk