Colour symbolism
Colour symbolism varies in different countries and cultures and religions and beliefs etc. They can mean many different things, and give off many different feelings and emotions. There are no consistent rules about what colours symbolize what, because everybody is free to their own interpretations in the art world But it appears that some general guidelines can be followed, esp in the western world. The following is some interesting information i found.
Colour symbolism in the Western Culture – www.princetonol.com
Purple and gold -often associated with Royalty, wealth and opulence
Red, White and Blue - reminiscent of the American flag, immediately convey notions of patriotism, conservatism.
Green - representing ecology and concern for the environment, meanings associated with money and the suggestion "to go ahead" which is obviously derived from traffic lights.
Colors represent holidays and seasons of the year.
The Fall foliage colors of Red, orange, yellow, and brown are clearly expressive of Thanksgiving. Halloween: Orange and Black. Red and Green represent Christmas. Purple and Yellow and other pastels colors represent Easter.
Blue, Red, White and Grey = Stability, Power, Trustworthiness, Conservatism
Yellow, Brown, Orange, Green = Nature, earthiness, warmth
Red, Orange, yellow = more warmth
Blues and Aquas = water and coolness
Primary colors (Red, Blue, Yellow) = Convey fun
Colour symbolism - according to www.colouracademy.co.uk
Black. sober colour. traditionally symbolic of humility and self-righteousness; as such, it represents the ‘denial’ of colour (and other vital pleasures), outwardly advocated by the puritan. Since ancient times, it has been associated with Capricorn and Aquarius, the astrological signs ruled by the saturnine planet and god Saturn. In heraldry, black is associated with grief and penitence, and with the diamond gemstone.
White has traditionally symbolised purity. In ancient Rome, for example, it was the custom for candidates (from the Latin word candidus, meaning ‘shining white’) seeking election to the Senate to wear white to infer their virtuous intent. In astrology, white is associated with Cancer, the moon, and the goddess Luna. In heraldry, white, silver and the pearl are associated with innocence and purity.
An appetite for coats of many colours is typical if the cavalier, and bright red specifically symbolises the most mortal human passions: physical love and infatuation, courage, bravery and revenge. Those who favour red typically show a willingness to be involved and take part in activities around them. In this sense, red opposes grey, since grey can represent indecision, withdrawal and non-participation. In astrology, red is associated with Aries and Scorpio, ruled by the red planet and martial god Mars. In heraldry, red and the ruby gemstone represent audacity and valour.
Orange signifies vitality, single-mindedness, and self-centred determination. Owing to its possible confusion with red, vivid orange is absent in heraldry, and replaced by brownish-orange or tawny, associated with topaz, and symbolising strength and endurance. Tawny is associated with the astrological signs Pisces and Saggitarius, ruled the jovial planet and god Jupiter.
Green is traditionally associated with growth, hope and the nutrition offered by natural fruits and foods. It is commonly linked with balance, well being, and processes of healing. In astrology, green is affiliated with Libra and Taurus and the planet and goddess Venus. In heraldry, green and the emerald gemstone are associated with regeneration and the manifestation of desire, while blue and the sapphire signify piety and spiritual contemplation. In contrast to red, symbolising physical passion, blue (owing perhaps to an association with the intangibility of the sky) is more often affiliated with immaterial and ethical aspects of human experience. In astrology, blue is associated with Gemini and Virgo and the mercurial planet and god Mercury.
Those who favour green are often seen as stubborn and resistant to change, while those preferring yellow are typically alert to all the future has to offer. In astrology and heraldry, yellow or gold, associated with the sun and its star-sign Leo, represent flexibility and optimism, wisdom and honour, and reaching one’s goal. Yellow tinged with green is sometimes associated with deceit and dishonesty.An eighth heraldic tincture, purple or murrey, was associated with royalty and rank, and traditionally reserved for kings, emperors and princes. Violet is commonly associated with mysticism, clairvoyance and idealism, and pink or magenta with impulsiveness and immaturity. Finally, those who favour brown typically seek refuge, greater security and a desire for more permanent and stable home-base.
Colour symbolism - www.paintcafe.com
Be it celestial or oceanic, blue evokes wide open spaces, calm and serenity. It symbolizes peace, escape and dream. For sometime, blue has been the favourite colour of most occidentals. Over time, blue as taken on a multitude of symbolic connotations which have been modified or crystalized in our thought processes. During the Middle Ages, lapis-lazuli, the blue pigment of choice of illuminators, was so precious that it cost as much if not more than gold. That is the reason blue was used to depict the Virgin's mantle. In antique Greece and Rome, sky blue was also the colour of Zeus and Jupiter. Among blue's attributes: calm, peaceful, pacific. A room painted in dark blue can even have a sedative effect. But blue also displays a more dynamic side, one that promotes creativity and inspiration. Hygiene, freshness and cleanliness are difficult to dissociate from blue. Advertisers continually use it to demonstrate those qualities in numerous products which they either colour in blue or package in blue: windshield washer antifreeze, powdered detergent and its blue particles and mint candies are but a few examples. Blue stands for peace as the United Nations' flag and the blue helmets of its peacekeepers remind us. A number of modern expressions, based on the word blue, carry a variety of connotations. Among them: "to be blue with cold" (freezing), "once in a blue moon" (very rarely), "to be in a blue funk" (petrified), "the blue" (sea) and "blue-blooded" (of noble blood).
Nothing illuminates a décor like yellow, the colour of the sun, of light, of summer. In matters of decoration, yellow is your strongest ally when it comes to brightening a dark room or one that faces north. Over the ages and in a number of cultures, yellow has variously been associated with the emperors of China, the arrival of spring and Easter, the generosity of the land at wheat and corn harvest time, Buddhist philosophy and a number of other images.Yellow draws people's attention. It is used to flag potential danger and prohibitions on our highways: traffic lights turn yellow (amber) before turning red, road signage used to forewarn us of construction work and other dangers are yellow as are double lines used to prohibit passing. In advertising, yellow is used to attract the eye. Publishers of telephone directories (Yellow Pages) understood the phenomenon a long time ago. And New York cabs are yellow. In sports, yellow carries different meanings. In European football (soccer), a yellow card is used to warn players of fouls. In cycling, the yellow shirt is emblematic of supremacy in the world-renowned Tour de France.
But yellow does have a less positive side to it. It is associated with illness. Seagoing ships, for example, reserved their yellow pavilions as quarantine quarters. Yellow is also associated with cowardice and newspapers that exploit sensationalism.
The colour orange got its name at the time oranges first arrived in Europe. The word appeared in English for the first time in a 1044 poem before passing to common use some centuries later, as oranges became more readily available in Europe.We associate orange with fall colours, fire, earth and pottery. Despite that, orange does not evoke the same strong symbolic connotations as its immediate neighbours on the colour scale, namely yellow and red. It is variously considered joyful and stimulating like yellow or teeming with the passion and buoancy of red, although always to a lesser degree.As well, expressions do not exist to enhance the status of orange as is the case for other colours. This is perhaps a reflection of the few symbolic associations cultures have developed with orange. In fact, we talk of red fish and red clay when it would be more accurate to describe them as orange, yet another proof of the secondary role of orange. Although orange has not achieved a strong symbolic status, it remains an important colour in matters of safety, when good visibility is a must. Known for its high visual impact, orange is used in the manufacturing of a number of safety-related items such as life jackets, buoys and life rafts.
Red is often considered "the colour of colours". In some languages, the words "red" and "coloured" are synonyms; in other languages, "red" and "beautiful" are synonyms.
Red excites our senses and activates blood circulation. It is the colour of passionate love, sensuality and desire.Red is joyful. Many children-oriented products are red: balls, toys, garments, as well as other products that trigger pleasure like fruit jam, candies, etc. Christmas decorations are red too.Red evokes exuberance, speed and action. It is no coincidence that so many sports cars are red.Red and orange are the hues that are easiest to perceive from a distance. This is one of the reasons they are used to warn against dangers. They are also the colours of prohibition. Stop signs and traffic lights are red. Warnings on medication packages are printed in red.Red attracts our attention: we use it to mark students' homework and exams or to show that a certain product is sold at a reduced price.Red, the colour of blood, identifies first aid services such as the Red Cross. Also, until the 19th century, red was used in many of Europe's military uniforms.Red conveys anger and aggressiveness, such as in "to see red", and "red with anger". It also conveys other emotions such as in "red with embarrassment", "red with shame", or "he went red".
In the Middle Ages, green was considered the colour of calamity and evil, and was associated with the Devil itself. It symbolized superstition to the point where one avoided dressing in green.In occidental culture, over time, people gradually dissociated green from evil. It became a symbol of fate and randomness, both positive and negative.
In some circumstances, green is associated with instability, uncertainty and ephemerality, be it in relation to love, hope, youth or games. One need only think of gambling tables that have been green since at least the eighteenth century, billiard tables, ping-pong tables, tennis courts, football and baseball fields. Instability, randomness, victory and defeat all dress in green.Among green's virtues: a calming effect on the nervous system, a feeling of relaxation, an anti-stress prescription. Green creates a reassuring ambience, a feeling of comfort and a link with nature.Green evokes nature, health and a number of other thoughts. Some expressions we use attest to the symbolism of green: to give someone the green light (permission), to be green behind the ears (inexperienced), to be green with envy (jealous), to have a green thumb (be to a good gardener).
A combination of red and blue, colours that display diametrically opposed personalities, violet and other hues in its family, such as mauve and purple, variously wrap themselves in cloaks of mystery, richness, refinement, malaise, trouble or provocation. The violet family suffers from a split personality that has always generated very different reactions.
The history of dyes has been marked by purple, a crimson substance extracted from some species of molluscs and used, in days of yore, to colour the ornate garments worn by emperors. Hence the expression purple prose used to describe ornate writing.
The religious world associates violet with the Passion of Christ. Easter rites include the use of complementary colours – violet and yellow – symbolic of lent and the return of spring with its yellow crocuses and daffodils.In the days of the British Empire, mauve was the only colour allowed to complement grey, black and white during periods of half-mourning. The gloomy connotations attached to the colour may well explain the aversion of fashion designers for mauve until the middle of the nineteenth century. During the sixties, the violet family of colours became very popular. Considered unconventional and provocative, colours in the violet range stood as the symbol of a generation of youths in search of freedom. Some still recall those vivid prints in oranges and magenta!
In decoration and in fashion, black is par excellence the symbol of elegance and modernity. We instantly think of formal dressing and luxury objects; black represents wealth, refinement, sophistication, and even mystery. Black has long been associated with religious cloth; it also evokes dignity, power and even threat. Black is the symbol of authority and in clothing its severity is often used to portray a seriousness deemed necessary in uniforms, such as in policemen, guards, lawyers or even judges. Its gravity also holds negative connotations: we relate it to austerity, and it is, by tradition, associated to death, mourning, and even gloom.
Modern language often expresses a seriousness associated with the colour black, however, it is the ideal complement for shots of colour or for neutrals. To create a refined décor, or distinguished wardrobe, black is an essential element to create drama, mystery and formality.
There is an endless amount of resources that give information on what colours symbolise. It gets a bit much for me really. I have found these three websites the most helpful. Its good to have this information as something to refer to, but i plan to create my own personal colour symbolism system. Think about what colours i like and why and what feelings i get from them, or what i associate them with ?Im pretty interested in using colour as a form of symbolism in my work, and experimenting with what colours can best convey the ideas i want to get across.
Colour symbolism in the Western Culture – www.princetonol.com
Purple and gold -often associated with Royalty, wealth and opulence
Red, White and Blue - reminiscent of the American flag, immediately convey notions of patriotism, conservatism.
Green - representing ecology and concern for the environment, meanings associated with money and the suggestion "to go ahead" which is obviously derived from traffic lights.
Colors represent holidays and seasons of the year.
The Fall foliage colors of Red, orange, yellow, and brown are clearly expressive of Thanksgiving. Halloween: Orange and Black. Red and Green represent Christmas. Purple and Yellow and other pastels colors represent Easter.
Blue, Red, White and Grey = Stability, Power, Trustworthiness, Conservatism
Yellow, Brown, Orange, Green = Nature, earthiness, warmth
Red, Orange, yellow = more warmth
Blues and Aquas = water and coolness
Primary colors (Red, Blue, Yellow) = Convey fun
Colour symbolism - according to www.colouracademy.co.uk
Black. sober colour. traditionally symbolic of humility and self-righteousness; as such, it represents the ‘denial’ of colour (and other vital pleasures), outwardly advocated by the puritan. Since ancient times, it has been associated with Capricorn and Aquarius, the astrological signs ruled by the saturnine planet and god Saturn. In heraldry, black is associated with grief and penitence, and with the diamond gemstone.
White has traditionally symbolised purity. In ancient Rome, for example, it was the custom for candidates (from the Latin word candidus, meaning ‘shining white’) seeking election to the Senate to wear white to infer their virtuous intent. In astrology, white is associated with Cancer, the moon, and the goddess Luna. In heraldry, white, silver and the pearl are associated with innocence and purity.
An appetite for coats of many colours is typical if the cavalier, and bright red specifically symbolises the most mortal human passions: physical love and infatuation, courage, bravery and revenge. Those who favour red typically show a willingness to be involved and take part in activities around them. In this sense, red opposes grey, since grey can represent indecision, withdrawal and non-participation. In astrology, red is associated with Aries and Scorpio, ruled by the red planet and martial god Mars. In heraldry, red and the ruby gemstone represent audacity and valour.
Orange signifies vitality, single-mindedness, and self-centred determination. Owing to its possible confusion with red, vivid orange is absent in heraldry, and replaced by brownish-orange or tawny, associated with topaz, and symbolising strength and endurance. Tawny is associated with the astrological signs Pisces and Saggitarius, ruled the jovial planet and god Jupiter.
Green is traditionally associated with growth, hope and the nutrition offered by natural fruits and foods. It is commonly linked with balance, well being, and processes of healing. In astrology, green is affiliated with Libra and Taurus and the planet and goddess Venus. In heraldry, green and the emerald gemstone are associated with regeneration and the manifestation of desire, while blue and the sapphire signify piety and spiritual contemplation. In contrast to red, symbolising physical passion, blue (owing perhaps to an association with the intangibility of the sky) is more often affiliated with immaterial and ethical aspects of human experience. In astrology, blue is associated with Gemini and Virgo and the mercurial planet and god Mercury.
Those who favour green are often seen as stubborn and resistant to change, while those preferring yellow are typically alert to all the future has to offer. In astrology and heraldry, yellow or gold, associated with the sun and its star-sign Leo, represent flexibility and optimism, wisdom and honour, and reaching one’s goal. Yellow tinged with green is sometimes associated with deceit and dishonesty.An eighth heraldic tincture, purple or murrey, was associated with royalty and rank, and traditionally reserved for kings, emperors and princes. Violet is commonly associated with mysticism, clairvoyance and idealism, and pink or magenta with impulsiveness and immaturity. Finally, those who favour brown typically seek refuge, greater security and a desire for more permanent and stable home-base.
Colour symbolism - www.paintcafe.com
Be it celestial or oceanic, blue evokes wide open spaces, calm and serenity. It symbolizes peace, escape and dream. For sometime, blue has been the favourite colour of most occidentals. Over time, blue as taken on a multitude of symbolic connotations which have been modified or crystalized in our thought processes. During the Middle Ages, lapis-lazuli, the blue pigment of choice of illuminators, was so precious that it cost as much if not more than gold. That is the reason blue was used to depict the Virgin's mantle. In antique Greece and Rome, sky blue was also the colour of Zeus and Jupiter. Among blue's attributes: calm, peaceful, pacific. A room painted in dark blue can even have a sedative effect. But blue also displays a more dynamic side, one that promotes creativity and inspiration. Hygiene, freshness and cleanliness are difficult to dissociate from blue. Advertisers continually use it to demonstrate those qualities in numerous products which they either colour in blue or package in blue: windshield washer antifreeze, powdered detergent and its blue particles and mint candies are but a few examples. Blue stands for peace as the United Nations' flag and the blue helmets of its peacekeepers remind us. A number of modern expressions, based on the word blue, carry a variety of connotations. Among them: "to be blue with cold" (freezing), "once in a blue moon" (very rarely), "to be in a blue funk" (petrified), "the blue" (sea) and "blue-blooded" (of noble blood).
Nothing illuminates a décor like yellow, the colour of the sun, of light, of summer. In matters of decoration, yellow is your strongest ally when it comes to brightening a dark room or one that faces north. Over the ages and in a number of cultures, yellow has variously been associated with the emperors of China, the arrival of spring and Easter, the generosity of the land at wheat and corn harvest time, Buddhist philosophy and a number of other images.Yellow draws people's attention. It is used to flag potential danger and prohibitions on our highways: traffic lights turn yellow (amber) before turning red, road signage used to forewarn us of construction work and other dangers are yellow as are double lines used to prohibit passing. In advertising, yellow is used to attract the eye. Publishers of telephone directories (Yellow Pages) understood the phenomenon a long time ago. And New York cabs are yellow. In sports, yellow carries different meanings. In European football (soccer), a yellow card is used to warn players of fouls. In cycling, the yellow shirt is emblematic of supremacy in the world-renowned Tour de France.
But yellow does have a less positive side to it. It is associated with illness. Seagoing ships, for example, reserved their yellow pavilions as quarantine quarters. Yellow is also associated with cowardice and newspapers that exploit sensationalism.
The colour orange got its name at the time oranges first arrived in Europe. The word appeared in English for the first time in a 1044 poem before passing to common use some centuries later, as oranges became more readily available in Europe.We associate orange with fall colours, fire, earth and pottery. Despite that, orange does not evoke the same strong symbolic connotations as its immediate neighbours on the colour scale, namely yellow and red. It is variously considered joyful and stimulating like yellow or teeming with the passion and buoancy of red, although always to a lesser degree.As well, expressions do not exist to enhance the status of orange as is the case for other colours. This is perhaps a reflection of the few symbolic associations cultures have developed with orange. In fact, we talk of red fish and red clay when it would be more accurate to describe them as orange, yet another proof of the secondary role of orange. Although orange has not achieved a strong symbolic status, it remains an important colour in matters of safety, when good visibility is a must. Known for its high visual impact, orange is used in the manufacturing of a number of safety-related items such as life jackets, buoys and life rafts.
Red is often considered "the colour of colours". In some languages, the words "red" and "coloured" are synonyms; in other languages, "red" and "beautiful" are synonyms.
Red excites our senses and activates blood circulation. It is the colour of passionate love, sensuality and desire.Red is joyful. Many children-oriented products are red: balls, toys, garments, as well as other products that trigger pleasure like fruit jam, candies, etc. Christmas decorations are red too.Red evokes exuberance, speed and action. It is no coincidence that so many sports cars are red.Red and orange are the hues that are easiest to perceive from a distance. This is one of the reasons they are used to warn against dangers. They are also the colours of prohibition. Stop signs and traffic lights are red. Warnings on medication packages are printed in red.Red attracts our attention: we use it to mark students' homework and exams or to show that a certain product is sold at a reduced price.Red, the colour of blood, identifies first aid services such as the Red Cross. Also, until the 19th century, red was used in many of Europe's military uniforms.Red conveys anger and aggressiveness, such as in "to see red", and "red with anger". It also conveys other emotions such as in "red with embarrassment", "red with shame", or "he went red".
In the Middle Ages, green was considered the colour of calamity and evil, and was associated with the Devil itself. It symbolized superstition to the point where one avoided dressing in green.In occidental culture, over time, people gradually dissociated green from evil. It became a symbol of fate and randomness, both positive and negative.
In some circumstances, green is associated with instability, uncertainty and ephemerality, be it in relation to love, hope, youth or games. One need only think of gambling tables that have been green since at least the eighteenth century, billiard tables, ping-pong tables, tennis courts, football and baseball fields. Instability, randomness, victory and defeat all dress in green.Among green's virtues: a calming effect on the nervous system, a feeling of relaxation, an anti-stress prescription. Green creates a reassuring ambience, a feeling of comfort and a link with nature.Green evokes nature, health and a number of other thoughts. Some expressions we use attest to the symbolism of green: to give someone the green light (permission), to be green behind the ears (inexperienced), to be green with envy (jealous), to have a green thumb (be to a good gardener).
A combination of red and blue, colours that display diametrically opposed personalities, violet and other hues in its family, such as mauve and purple, variously wrap themselves in cloaks of mystery, richness, refinement, malaise, trouble or provocation. The violet family suffers from a split personality that has always generated very different reactions.
The history of dyes has been marked by purple, a crimson substance extracted from some species of molluscs and used, in days of yore, to colour the ornate garments worn by emperors. Hence the expression purple prose used to describe ornate writing.
The religious world associates violet with the Passion of Christ. Easter rites include the use of complementary colours – violet and yellow – symbolic of lent and the return of spring with its yellow crocuses and daffodils.In the days of the British Empire, mauve was the only colour allowed to complement grey, black and white during periods of half-mourning. The gloomy connotations attached to the colour may well explain the aversion of fashion designers for mauve until the middle of the nineteenth century. During the sixties, the violet family of colours became very popular. Considered unconventional and provocative, colours in the violet range stood as the symbol of a generation of youths in search of freedom. Some still recall those vivid prints in oranges and magenta!
In decoration and in fashion, black is par excellence the symbol of elegance and modernity. We instantly think of formal dressing and luxury objects; black represents wealth, refinement, sophistication, and even mystery. Black has long been associated with religious cloth; it also evokes dignity, power and even threat. Black is the symbol of authority and in clothing its severity is often used to portray a seriousness deemed necessary in uniforms, such as in policemen, guards, lawyers or even judges. Its gravity also holds negative connotations: we relate it to austerity, and it is, by tradition, associated to death, mourning, and even gloom.
Modern language often expresses a seriousness associated with the colour black, however, it is the ideal complement for shots of colour or for neutrals. To create a refined décor, or distinguished wardrobe, black is an essential element to create drama, mystery and formality.
There is an endless amount of resources that give information on what colours symbolise. It gets a bit much for me really. I have found these three websites the most helpful. Its good to have this information as something to refer to, but i plan to create my own personal colour symbolism system. Think about what colours i like and why and what feelings i get from them, or what i associate them with ?Im pretty interested in using colour as a form of symbolism in my work, and experimenting with what colours can best convey the ideas i want to get across.
posted by simone marie at 8:34 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home