Colour Symbols
Awareness of a symbol, even without interpretation, changes a person's universe. For the symbol always operates first on a non-verbal level, exciting in a common way the very physiology of the people perceiving the symbol Each universal symbol has a specific generalized effect on the perceivers. It's as if the energy in the original form is transmitted to the people who perceive the symbol. From the book, "Seing with the mind's eye". Mike Samuels and Nancy Samuals, The Bookworks, New York, 1975p.58
Colours are not only decorative they all express themselves. There are many types here only some and not all are as enjoyable as others and signify what we perceive.
RED: is by most people considered to be a colour of energy, life, fire, war, aggression, danger. It is strong, masculine and has a drive, which also means passion, love, joy, life, and sex..
Red is as well the colour of our base Chakra, so associated with instinct, survival and security. Some relate it to blood which can mean the body temperature increases, for example entering a room with red light, can be exciting to some and quicken the heart beat. The symbolism is mostly positive, relating to festivity and good health.
Because it is a colour of energy it can be so powerful that it almost becomes dominating. Again there are many reds and many ways to perceive them.
ORANGE: can be cheap and energetic as well, almost too loud and happy. It is rarely combined with exotic and certainly not sophisticated areas. Similar to Gold in some ways except Gold has a bigger spectre, it can be both cheap and sophistically rich. Orange seems to be a colour we all understand but also superficial to some and it is never considered natural unless we see it in a flower.
PINK: There is shocking pink, romantic pink, candy pink and rose tinted. It is to many a very feminine colour because it is looked upon as being romantic and sweet but also daring and dramatic. In many contexts it is used as an energetic superficial teenage easy to digest colour but when it turn into a tinted rose it becomes much more smooth, innocent and quiet.
BLUE: is the colour for intelligence, calm, cool, sophisticated mostly and classical. It shows inner strength is often used for uniforms because it appeals to many people, not dominating in any way, unless it is very bright as a Cobalt blue, but always comforting almost boring. It is usually looked upon as being restful and if someone wears it trustworthy, as a first impression.
GREEN: Universally associated with the plant vegetation, spring, youth, freshness, and hope. Also ecology and the "go"-colour. Immortality, strength and magical power has been related with it in China, where green Jade symbolises perfection and longevity. Also associated with Celtic traditions in which good souls travelled to the green Isle of the Blessed - the land of youth. Green is also linked with water, rain, forests, nature. I t is a colour with many symbols can be found both in relation to new life and to death, illness. Satan himself is sometimes represented as green.
GOLD: Perfection, wealth symbolically divine through its associations with the sun. Durability, profound, quality. Its associated emblematic qualities range from purity, refinement, spiritual enlightenment, truth, harmony, and wisdom to earthly power.
By association with the Sun gold is a masculine symbol. Also Fire, glory and the light of heaven and truth are strongly related with this colour.
SILVER: is light and shine. It is very sophisticated and intelligent and creates an elevating atmosphere, also calm and clear.Both silver, gold and bronze are related to their background, so they seem to signify something more valuable than other colours- wealth and richness, on a higher level.
YELLOW: It is a colour that is swinging from positive to negative depending on context and rage of hue. It gives the impression of the Sun of Gold and optimism, youth virginity, happiness. In a negative version it can be perceived as a colour of autumn, dying leaves and fruits, yellow skin, fear, disease - betrayal and unreliability. Giving away yellow flowers is a sign of untruth. Yellow has the highest symbolic values in Buddhist countries.
BLACK: Black has almost inescapable symbolism as the colour of negative forces and unhappy events. It stands for the darkness of death, ignorance, despair, sorrow and evil. Blackbirds are a Christian symbol for temptation. In superstition - and in modern English idiom - black is synonymous with disaster; black cats, black days, black spots, black marks. As the colour of mourning it dramatizes loss and absence.
WHITE: The absolute colour of light, therefore a symbol of purity, truth, innocence and the sacred. It can have negative connotations such as fear, cowardice, surrender, coldness, and death. It is the positive side of black, used for the bride at weddings in western countries and represents shining and innocence. It can be the colour of ghosts, vampires and evil spirits, colourless, pale and sickness, but also links to inner calm, Festivals and joy. The white dove is a symbol of peace and Holy Spirit.
Source: Dictionary of Symbols, by Jack Tresidder, Duncan Baird Publishers, London,1997