Describe the Uses, Meanings & Universal Indicators of Colors
While the precise meaning of a color varies within cultures, colors carry symbolic weight and artists have used them suggestively in their artwork since antiquity. A color's meaning is sometimes determined by its role in nature. Because of its implications, people and companies use colors in art, advertising and design to induce certain moods.
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Red
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Red -- the color of hot chili peppers -- is considered fiery. Red, a primary color, is the color of blood, hot chili peppers and roses, and therefore is associated with such things. It symbolizes passion and love, anger and energy. In word association studies, red is the color most frequently associated with sex, and because of its sex appeal is used often in marketing. Since red and green are complementary colors, red is most distinct when juxtaposed with green. This color combination is common in the worlds of design and advertising.
Yellow
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Although yellow is a warm color associated with the sun, it can also signal caution. Yellow, a primary color, is stimulating and seen more easily than all other colors. It is the color of the sun and, correspondingly, is associated with happiness, hope and warmth. Yellow can symbolize joyous emotions such as optimism and negative emotions such as jealousy. Yellow is sometimes used for warning signs, especially when placed next to black. When juxtaposed with its complementary color, purple, yellow is at its strongest. Like red, it is a hot, active color.
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Blue
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Blue is the color of the sky and the ocean, and is a soothing color with spiritual connotations. Blue, a primary color, is a spiritual symbol in several religions. In Judaism it symbolizes holiness, and in Hinduism it is the color of Vishnu's eighth avatar, Krishna. In biblical paintings of the Renaissance, the Virgin Mary is portrayed wearing blue. Blue symbolizes the sky in Judaism, Hinduism and Christianity. It is a cold color that seems to recede in paintings. Unlike dynamic red, blue is soothing and peaceful, and is used in advertising to focus the consumer's attention and elicit a positive reaction.
Green
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Green is a prominent color in nature and is used to promote recycling and other ecofriendly activities. Green, a secondary color, is made from a combination of yellow and blue. It is associated with nature, the environment, health and growth. It can also symbolize envy, jealousy and sickness. It is used frequently in marketing campaigns to promote medicine, health care products or environmentally friendly items. Like blue, green is a cool color that can induce serene, calm moods and reduce anxiety.
Orange
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The color orange is named after the orange fruit. Made from mixing red and yellow, orange is a warm hue that appears to advance in pictures. The color orange is named after the citrus fruit of the same name. The word originated in Europe around 500 B.C. after the fruit was transported from China. In antiquity, orange was associated with physical well-being and creativity. It also signals caution and warning in traffic and the workplace.
Purple
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The appearance of purple in nature is rare and sometimes short-lived; water lillies turn from white to purple in a single day. Purple is made by mixing red and blue. It is a cool color, but because it includes red, it is more energetic than blues and greens. The emotional effect of purple varies depending on whether it has more blue or more red. Purple does not appear frequently in nature, and is associated with mysticism and magic. In paintings, purple suggests royalty, especially when coupled with gold.
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