Colour conveys meanings in two primary ways - natural associations and psychological symbolism. People are comfortable when colours remind them of similar things. For example, a soft shade of blue triggers associations with the sky and a psychological sense of calm.
It’s a form of symbolism - colours convey meaning and help us to understand. The communicative properties of a colour can be defined by two categories: natural associations and
psychological (or cultural) associations. Occurrences of colours in nature are universal and timeless. For example, the fact that green is the colour of vegetation can be considered a universal and timeless association.
Colour may generate another level of meaning in the mind; arises from cultural and contemporary contexts. Green associated with nature and communicates growth, fruitfulness, freshness and ecology, but may also be symbolic of good luck, seasickness, money and greed — all of which have nothing to do with green plants.
Colour may have both positive and negative symbolism. Blue is the beautiful colour of the sky on a sunny day, but it can be symbolic of sadness or stability. These traits evident in phrases such as “singing the blues” and “blue chip stocks.” Red is another example of dual symbolism: the colour of fire and blood, energizing, aggressive and bold colour. In direct contrast, red is used for “STOP” signs throughout the world today.
Cultural associations come from places such as; the colour of currency, traditions, celebrations, geography, etc (ie. green is associated with
heaven [Muslims] and luck [U.S. and Ireland])
It’s a form of symbolism - colours convey meaning and help us to understand. The communicative properties of a colour can be defined by two categories: natural associations and
psychological (or cultural) associations. Occurrences of colours in nature are universal and timeless. For example, the fact that green is the colour of vegetation can be considered a universal and timeless association.
Colour may generate another level of meaning in the mind; arises from cultural and contemporary contexts. Green associated with nature and communicates growth, fruitfulness, freshness and ecology, but may also be symbolic of good luck, seasickness, money and greed — all of which have nothing to do with green plants.
Colour may have both positive and negative symbolism. Blue is the beautiful colour of the sky on a sunny day, but it can be symbolic of sadness or stability. These traits evident in phrases such as “singing the blues” and “blue chip stocks.” Red is another example of dual symbolism: the colour of fire and blood, energizing, aggressive and bold colour. In direct contrast, red is used for “STOP” signs throughout the world today.
Cultural associations come from places such as; the colour of currency, traditions, celebrations, geography, etc (ie. green is associated with
heaven [Muslims] and luck [U.S. and Ireland])
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