The Meaning Of Colours

I was thinking of redecorating a room in my house and I was thinking of what colour scheme to use for the room which got me into thinking maybe I should research what different colours mean and what effects they have on the human psyche, so this is what I found:nnThe eleven basic colours have fundamental psychological effects, regardless of which particular shade, of it you are looking at. Each of these colours has potentially positive or negative psychological effects and depending on the relationships within various colour combinations. nnThere are four psychological primary colours - red, blue, yellow and green. These four colours relate respectively to the body, the mind, the emotions and the essential balance between the first three. nnThe psychological properties of the eleven basic colours are as follows:nnRED. PhysicalnSince red is a powerful colour, it appears to be nearer than it is and therefore red grabs our attention first. The physical effects red has on us is that it stimulates us and raises the pulse, so that we think that time is passing faster than it is. It relates to the masculinity and can trigger the "fight or flight" instinct. Red is strong, and lively, and very friendly. However, it can be perceived as demanding and aggressive and should not be worn during negotiations.nnPINK.nSince pink is a tint of red, pink also affects us physically, but in a soothing way. Pink is a powerful colour, psychologically and represents feminine instincts and survival of the species. Too much pink is physically draining and can be somewhat emasculating.nnBLUE. IntellectualnBlue is an intellectual colour which affects our minds unlike the physical reaction we have to red. Strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, softer blues will relax the mind and helps us concentrate. So blue is mentally soothing and fosters clear communication. Blue objects seem more distant to us than red ones. Repeatedly research has shown, that blue is the world's favourite colour. Experts recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People who work in blue rooms are more productive. At the same time, it can be perceived as cold, unemotional and aloof.nnGREEN. Balance nGreen has a soothing effect on the eyes and is therefore, restful. Being in the centre of the spectrum, green represents balance – which is an underestimated concept. Plenty of green indicates the presence of water and plants, and so we are reassured by green as a sign of abundance, on a primitive level. Hospitals use green to relax patients. Dark green indicates wealth. At the same time, it can indicate stagnation and may be perceived as being too bland.nnYELLOW. EmotionalnYellow is a strong, emotional colour. The right yellow will be uplifting and boosts our self-esteem. However, excessive use of yellow, or the wrong tone of it in relation to the other tones in a colour scheme, can cause self-esteem to drop, leading to fear and anxiety. It can be overpowering and people are found to lose their tempers more in yellow rooms and babies cry more in yellow rooms.nnVIOLET. SpiritualnViolet or purple takes awareness to a higher level of meditation or contemplation, even into the realms of spirituality. It is often associated with royalty and finest possible quality and luxury and femininity and is thought to be romantic. It also has associations with time and space and the universe. Excessive use of purple can bring on too much introspection and the wrong tone of it comes across as cheap and nasty, faster than any other colour.nnORANGE.nOrange is a mixture of red and yellow, and so is stimulating and has physical and emotional effects. It focuses our minds on physical comforts such as food, warmth, shelter and sensuality and is a 'fun' colour. Used negatively especially when black is introduced into the orange, it could mean deprivation. Too much orange suggests frivolity and a lack of serious intellectual pursuits.n nGREY.nPure grey is the only colour that has no direct psychological effects although it can be suppressive. An absence of colour is depressing and we instinctively prepare for hibernation. Grey may have a dampening effect on other colours used with it. Heavy use of grey usually indicates a lack of confidence and fear of exposure.nnBLACK.nBlack represents all colours, totally absorbed. So black puts up protective barriers, as it absorbs all the energy coming towards you, and it enshrouds the personality. Positively, it comes across as absolute clarity and it works well with white. It communicates sophistication and uncompromising excellence and of weight and seriousness. Black is the color of authority and power and implies submission. However black means an absence of light, and therefore can be seen as menacing as many people are afraid of the dark. nnWHITE.nJust as black is total absorption, so white is the opposite of black and represents total reflection. Thus, it reflects the full force of the spectrum into our eyes, and it is often straining to look at. White is purity and, like black, can be uncompromising and represents cleanliness, hygiene. The concept of sterility can also be negative. White also gives a perception of space. nnBROWN.nBrown is usually a mixture of red and yellow, with a large amount of black. Thus, it has much of the same seriousness as black, but is warmer and softer. It has aspects of the red and yellow properties. Brown is associated with the earth and nature. It is a solid, reliable colour and many people find it quietly supportive unlike black which can be repressive.nnThese are colours of academic costumes:nnField ColornnAgriculture MaizenArts, Letters, Humanities WhitenCommerce, Accountancy, Business DrabnDentistry LilacnEconomics CoppernEducation Light bluenEngineering OrangenFine Arts, Architecture BrownnForestry RussetnJournalism CrimsonnLaw PurplenLibrary Science LemonnMedicine GreennMusic PinknNursing ApricotnOratory (Speech) Silver graynPharmacy Olive greennPhilosophy Dark bluenPhysical Education Sage greennPublic Admin. including Foreign Service Peacock bluenPublic Health Salmon pinknScience Golden yellownSocial Work CitronnTheology ScarletnVeterinary Science Grayn nn