The Psychology of Colors:
Blue
- Blue is described as a favorite color by many people and is the color most preferred by men.
- Blue calls to mind feelings of calmness or serenity. It is often described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly.
- Blue can also create feelings of sadness or aloofness.
- Blue is often used to decorate offices because research has shown that people are more productive in blue rooms.
- Blue is one of the most popular colors, but it is one of the least appetizing. Some weight loss plans even recommend eating your food off of a blue plate. Blue rarely occurs naturally in food aside from blueberries and some plums. Also, humans are geared to avoid foods that are poisonous and blue coloring in food is often a sign of spoilage or poison.
- Blue can also lower the pulse rate and body temperature.
- Consider how blue is used in language: blue moon, blue Monday, blue blood, the blues, and blue ribbon.
Red
The most emotionally intense color, red 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 clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.
The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.
Red has guts, deep, strong, dramatic. A geranium red. A Goya red ... to be used like gold for furnishing a house ... for clothes, it is strong, like black or white. - Valentino
- Red is a bright, warm color that evokes strong emotions.
- Red is associated with love, warmth, and comfort.
- Red is also considered an intense, or even angry, color that creates feelings of excitement or intensity.
- Consider how red is used in language: redneck, red-hot, red-handed, paint the town red, seeing red
Green
Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, 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. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.
Green, which is Nature's colour, is restful, soothing, cheerful, and health-giving. - Paul Brunton
- Green is a cool color that symbolizes nature and the natural world.
- Grean also represents tranquility, good luck, health, and jealousy.
- Researchers have also found that green can improve reading ability. Some students may find that laying a transparent sheet of green paper over reading material increases reading speed and comprehension.
- Green has long been a symbol of fertility and was once the preferred color choice for wedding gowns in the 15th-century. Even today, green M & M's (an American chocolate candy) are said to send a sexual message.
- Green is often used in decorating for its calming effect. For example, guests waiting to appear on television programs often wait in a “green room” to relax.
- Green is thought to relieve stress and help heal. Those who have a green work environment experience fewer stomachaches.
- Consider how green is used in language: green thumb, green with envy, greenhorn.
Yellow
Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often 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.
How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun. -Vincent Van Gogh
- Yellow is a bright that is often described as cheery and warm.
- Yellow is also the most fatiguing to the eye due to the high amount of light that is reflected. Using yellow as a background on paper or computer monitors can lead to eyestrain or vision loss in extreme cases.
- Yellow can also create feelings of frustration and anger. While it is considered a cheerful color, people are more likely to lose their tempers in yellow rooms and babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms.
- Yellow can also increase the metabolism.
- Since yellow is the most visible color, it is also the most attention-getting color. Yellow can be used in small amount to draw notice, such as on traffic sign or advertisements.
Purple
The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.
- Purple is the symbol of royalty and wealth.
- Purple also represents wisdom and spirituality.
- Purple does not often occur in nature, it can sometimes appear exotic or artificial.
Reference:
http://psychology.about.com/od/sensationandperception/a/colorpsych.htm
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html
