Living Arts Originals features nearly 100 articles on all types of symbols and their meanings. We also offer links to additional resources including books, symbolic jewelry, feng shui decor, symbolic gifts, stock photos, symbolic prints and original art.
Colors Meanings and Specific Colors
By Kathleen Karlsen, MA
√ Updated:
September 14, 2010
Introduction to Colors Meanings
 Colors meanings are closely related to cultural associations with various colors. The study of color psychology, color therapy and color symbolism reveals an in-depth perspective on both society and individuals. Find information below on the following topics:
Colors Meanings and the Spectrum
Colors Meanings and Color Mixing
Heraldry and Colors Meanings
Links to additional articles on color symbolism, color meaning, healing with colors and colors psychology can be found at the end of this page.
Colors Meanings and the Spectrum
The basic colors of the spectrum are the most fundamental colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. These colors combine with each other and with white and black to create all of the other colors that we can see. The information below is based on Western colors meanings unless otherwise noted. The color meanings of the basic light spectrum are summarized below.
Red Color Meanings
 The color meanings of red includes pleasure, desire, vitality, will to win, love of sports and the survival instinct. The “warm” colors red, orange and yellow are considered to be stimulating colors.
Orange Color Meanings
 The color meanings of orange are creativity, confidence, intuition, friendliness and the entrepreneurial spirit.
Yellow Color Meanings
 The color meanings of yellow are enthusiasm, cheerfulness, sense of humor, fun, optimism and intellectuality.
Green Color Meanings
 The color meanings of green are perseverance, patience, growth and healing. Green is also related to work, wealth, and career. In the United States, our money is green. Green is a highly adaptable color that lends itself in interior design to areas for children, especially places where learning takes place.
Blue Color Meanings
 The color meanings of blue are related to freedom, strength and new beginnings. Blue skies mean optimism and better opportunities. Blue is cooling and relaxing. Blue symbolizes water, the source of life. Agricultural people have traditionally worshipped water in the form of rivers, clouds, mist and rain. See complete article on The Symbolism of the Color Blue.
Indigo Color Meanings
 The color meanings of indigo are wisdom, self-mastery and spiritual attainment. Indigo has an inward rather than an outward orientation. Indigo connects the conscious and unconscious minds. Indigo should not be used for a person who is depressed, as it can also deepen negative moods.
Violet Color Meanings
 The color meanings of violet are the psychological quality of transformation, transmutation and the balance of power and love. Additional meanings include charisma, charm, magical abilities and tolerance.
Back to Top
Color Mixing and the Meaning of Colors
 There is an infinite array of colors that are variations on the basic colors of the spectrum. Yellow, blue and red are primary colors and are mixed to create secondary colors: green, orange and purple. From there, tertiary colors are created that are combinations of the secondary colors: yellow-green, orange-yellow, orange-red, etc.
 Each of these colors have slightly different meanings. These secondary and tertiary colors are usually colors that appeal to adults, as they tend to be more sophisticated colors. The meanings of tertiary colors and complex colors are usually based on the colors from which they have been mixed.
 Additional colors can be also created by adding white to make a tint or black to make a shade. These colors also have their own generally accepted meanings in color symbolism. Black, for example, symbolizes death and grieving
 Pink is related to warmth and love, gentleness, beauty, and an outward orientation. White means purity, inner illumination and spirituality. White softens the sometimes harsh impact of red. Pink is a more sophisticated color than red, which often makes it more appealing to most adults than pure red. Pink is also gentler and more appropriate for healing. Variations of pink can be used to relieve depression. As the color of warmth and love, pink is a comforting color meaning gentleness and beauty while encouraging motion and an outward orientation.
 Designers like to give variations of these colors attractive names of their own rather than calling them "orange-red" and so forth. Thus, colors are named fuchsia, aqua and turquoise. For consumer appeal, complex colors are often given even longer names: light sea green, deep royal blue and rich chocolate brown.
Back to Top
Heraldry and Colors Meanings
Heraldry scholars can sometimes disagree on the subtle meanings for colors used in coats of arms and other decorations related to heraldry. The colors meanings below are the most commonly accepted meanings.
 Gold or Yellow Heraldry Color Meanings:
Generosity
Abundance
 Red Heraldry Color Meanings:
military fortitude
martyr or victor in battle
 White or Silver Heraldry Color Meaning:
sincerity
peace
 Blue Heraldry Color Meaning:
truth
loyalty
 Green Heraldry Color Meaning:
joy
hope
 Black Heraldry Color Meaning:
grief
constancy
 Purple Heraldry Color Meaning:
royalty, sovereignty,
justice
majesty
 Orange Heraldry Color Meaning:
worthy ambition
More Information About Color Symbolism
For more information about color symbolism, please see the following recommended Amazon books:
Symbolism of Color
Color Synergy: Power of Color, Creative Visualizations, and Affirmations to Transform Your Life
The Symbolism of Color
Color and the Edgar Cayce Readings
Color and Meaning: Art, Science, and Symbolism
©2007-2010 Living Arts Enterprises, LLC
RESOURCES:
Books
Peterson, L.K. and Cheryl Dangel Cullen. Global Graphics: Color, Designing with Color for an International Market. Couscester, Massachusetts:Rockport Publishers, Inc, 2000.
Andrews, Ted. How to Heal with Color. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2006.
Chiazzari, Suzy. The Complete Book of Color. New York: Barnes and Noble Books, 1998.
Sloane, Patricia. The Visual Nature of Color. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books, 1989.
Chevreul, M.E. The Principles of Harmony and Contrast of Colors and Their Applications to the Arts. New York: Reinhold Puyblishing Corporation, 1967.
Websites
http://www.colorassociation.com
http://www.colormarketing.org
http://www.colorpuncture.com
http://www.colourenergy.com
More Symbolic Products
|
|
|
|
BOOKSTORE
Our bookstore includes books, DVDs and music. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYMBOLIC GIFTS
Flower bouquets, gift baskets, memory trees, fairie gifts and angel gifts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SYMBOLIC PRINTS
Symbolic artwork will brighten up any home or office with meaningful visuals. |
|
