Lesson 2 Color Psychology and Symbolism

Home , Color psychology, Shades of green, Shades of purple, Shades of red

Whether roaring through a field with orange-tiger force or whispering through a steel gray dawn, color is used to stage, flavor, and articulate. This lesson focuses on colors’ symbolic and expressive powers.

Color affects us in many ways. It influences how we build our wardrobe, select our meals, and design our living rooms. Before taking the first bite, we may like or dislike a particular food partially because of its color. Color uplifts, depresses, promotes hope, and instills fear and wonder. While most of us have a favorite color, there’s often a hue we detest. Some colors are good luck. Color, so important to our physical and emotional well-being, was cited as a key critical factor for designing the NASA space station.

Color has long been associated with healing powers. Hospitals often have green or pink walls. Pharmaceutical manufacturers color code their medicines to trigger placebo effects. I recently heard a humorous anecdote on National Public Radio about the color blue. A nearly universal symbol of peace and meditative calm, a pharmaceutical company mistakenly designed a sleeping tablet, targeted for the Italian market, in a blue pill form. In Italy, blue is connected with the national soccer team, which is hardly associated with tranquility. This blue pill proved to be a costly mistake.

What’s your favorite color?

Do you find yourself frequently wearing the same color clothes? Is you room painted blue? Do you buy books because you’re drawn to the graphic covers? Does your child refuse green food? Each of us has a personal color key. According to academic Robert Hirsh in his terrific book, Exploring Color Photography, “The color key reveals the character of a person. It is not constant. It’s all a balancing act that mirrors your inner state of mind.”

So, what’s your color key? Don’t say you don’t have one. Go through your favorite images or study an admired photographer’s or artist’s body of work, and then find the color thread.

Expressive symbolic colors are culturally defined. White, a color that symbolizes hope and purity in the Western world, represents health and wisdom to the Sioux Indians, and connotes death to people of the Far East.

This lesson explores color’s psychological and physiological qualities as we learn color symbolism. We’ll then incorporate this knowledge into our photography to enhance its message.

RED

Red, the boldest of all colors and both a light and pigment primary color, is considered the most emotional color. It sits on the top of the rainbow, and people who prefer red like to sit on top. Bright and dark red vary in meaning. Bright red is associated with excitement, youth, courage and martyrdom, beauty, ardent love, fire, anger, heat, physical stimulation, strengthening, and

© Cheryl Machat Dorskind Lesson 2, page #2 © Cheryl Machat Dorskind ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ALL About Color Lesson Two www.cherylmachatdorskind.com blood. It can can speed up metabolism and raise blood pressure. Dark red connotes a forbidden or esoteric realm, earthly fire, heart and soul. Dark red is often associated with rage, anger, vigor courage, and longing. Red is a good color choice when designing product shots, as it is the color used by advertisers to stimulate a quick buying decision. In its most ominous sense, red, the first color of the spectrum, is associated with sin, cruelty, and violence.

Culturally, red varies greatly. Red symbolizes happiness in China and it is customary for a bride’s gown to be red. The red rose is a metaphor and a symbol of love. Red restores life through healing. The Egyptians used red to protect themselves from fire and for the treatment of disease. To the American Indian, red symbolizes day and in Tibet, red connotes west. Like humans, an octopus turns red when angry. Red sunsets are romantic and powerful. Have you noticed that restaurants often have red walls? This is done purposely to encourage a hardy appetite. Light red represents joy, sexuality, passion, sensitivity, and love.

Character traits

People who prefer red are said to be witty, charming, and impulsive. Red people are resourceful and optimistic; eager to jump into action. Professionally, red fans prefer careers which encourage independence, competition,

© Cheryl Machat Dorskind Lesson 2, page #3 © Cheryl Machat Dorskind ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ALL About Color Lesson Two www.cherylmachatdorskind.com and freedom. They like to use their hands and play games. People who prefer red are adventurous. Acting might be your destiny; your world is a stage.

Pink

The name magenta was coined in commemoration of the Blood Battle of

Magenta. The Austrians were defeated by the French and Sardinians on August 2,

1859 and forced to evacuate Lombardy. Magenta is a brilliant red aniline dye

derived from coal tar, which was discovered right before the battle. Magenta is one

of light’s secondary primaries.

Pink, is like red in a subtler sense. Pink signifies romance, love, and friendship. Pink is the color of femininity. Shades of red, such as pink, contain the same expressive characteristics of red, but delivered in a subtler manner, although, there is nothing subtle about a “pink slip.”

Yellow

Yellow, a pigment primary and the lightest of colors, is often regarded as divine. Yellow’s associations include intuition, illumination, and wisdom. It is also associated with spring, Yang Ylang, Buttercups,

Sunflowers, butter, Easter, bananas, taxis, glory, the Gates of Heaven, and “third prize.” Because of its warm and welcoming properties, yellow is one of the most widely used colors in home decorating. In Egypt, yellow is the color of happiness and prosperity.

In Asia, yellow is the color of power, and during the Ching dynasty (1644-1911) only the emperor was allowed to wear yellow; in fact, it was the special color he wore to worship the sky. Yellow represents the third charka, a vortex of energy, which represents personal power, self image, and the emotions. In its evil sense, yellow signifies cowardice, deceit, and sickness (yellow fever). In the animal kingdom, yellow combined with black conveys warning signals. In Chinese culture, yellow on black conveys an old man’s death. Metaphorically, yellow wallpaper implies female madness.

Throughout history, artists have been enamored with yellow. Van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne, and Pissarro instantly come to mind. The Impressionists developed their own method of color mixing, which was really in reaction to the then common practice of mixing pigments to dilute the intensity. Instead, the Impressionists sought to recreate the experience of the play of light. Rather than mixing pigment colors, The Impressionists experimented with the theories of light and discovered that if they applied small strokes or dots of pure color (paint straight from its source or tube), such as red and green pigment, and applied them directly adjacent, then the intensity of the contiguous colors would create a brilliant yellow. The Impressionists understood that optical illusions affected color as it played upon the eye’s retina and proved in countless masterpieces that two colors could create the illusion of others.

Like red, gold traditionally symbolizes the rising or setting sun. It represents the sun’s brilliant rays and is used for adorning royal crowns. Gold remains a symbol of authority. Gold can be seen as both a warm or a cool color, so what you juxtapose gold with will have bearing on its implied meaning. Universally, gold represents first prize as the Olympic Gold Medal is recognized by all as supreme. Here in the US, we give gold on a fiftieth wedding anniversary and gold is the basis of the US monetary system.

Couple gold with blue and it is said to become a symbol of credibility as blue represents intellect.

Pair gold with brown or green and the color gold represents a more down-to-earth wealth.

Orange, a combination of yellow and red, is similar to yellow and gold in its associations and often represents wealth and power. Paying homage to their humble roots, Tibetan Buddhist monks wear saffron-colored robes. (Some categorize saffron as yellow, while others argue pro orange). In her comprehensive book, Color A Natural History of the Palette, Victoria Finlay remarks that the robes are actually dyed with the less expensive spice turmeric, rather than with the most costly of spices, saffron. In its ominous sense, orange represents Satan and is the color of prisoner’s attire. Orange is often used as a warning visual marker.

Nature abounds with orange; orange day lilies are the symbol of fertility and are often the decoration for brides at weddings. The Impressionists discovered that placing a stroke of pure red adjacent to a stroke of pure yellow, created a vibrant orange. Paradoxically, an orange tree is actually an evergreen that has white flowers. The orange fruit, like the tomato and chile pepper, is actually a berry.

Orange is the color of joy and creativity. In the spiritual and healing realms, orange promotes optimism and wellness. Orange evokes emotional energy. People who prefer orange as a favorite color are said to be kind, courageous, and genuine.

To the eye, orange is hot but less aggressive than red. Physically, orange can increase the oxygen supply to the brain and stimulates mental activity. Orange is often used in design to promote food products and toys.

Character Traits

People who prefer orange often adhere to a work/hard, play/hard philosophy. They are adventurous and enthusiastic and typically have a great sense of humor. Orange people are gregarious and charming; they make good salesmen and business success

Blue

I could probably write a book about the color blue. Aside from it being one of my favorite colors, I am most sensitive to its suggestive power. Light blue denotes wisdom and serenity and is associated with health and healing. It is also associated with constancy, loyalty, freedom, and peacefulness. Often, blue symbolizes virtue or purity; for example, in paintings and altarpieces of the Italian Renaissance, Mary is always dressed in a deep, almost royal blue. For some, blue also represents a certain elegance and maturity; navy blue often connotes a sense of despondency. Blue is the coolest of colors and is considered a masculine color—although I think that is a stereotype long gone. Dark blue is also associated with depth and expertise and is a preferred color for corporate America.

Blue can be bright and dynamic, or cool and refreshing. Blue represents the color of dreams, surreal, and otherworldly. Like the sky and sea, blue can be considered infinite and empty, spacious and eternal. In Iraq, the women paint blue animals in spring to ward off hostile spirits and to appease gods. Iranian mothers sew blue beads on their children’s clothing to ward off evil spirits. For Tibetan Buddhists, blue represents transcendent wisdom and emptiness.

Lapis lazuli was the most expensive painter’s pigment and in Egypt was worth its weight in gold. To many artists, lapis lazuli represented super-natural beauty, perfection, and glory. The Impressionists used blue to tone a color and to create color harmony.

Character Traits

People who prefer blue as their favorite color are said to be searchers, striving for Zen like calm; they are considered dependable, sensitive, and gentle. Blue people feel unique and authentic. They are people who yearn to communicate with compassion. Blue people are imaginative, nurturers, and poets, sincere, and spiritual.

Once in a Blue Moon

We have all heard this phrase. But will the moon really be blue, and if so, when? A blue moon, according to NASA, occurs when two full moons occur within one calendar month. For example, in October there could be a full moon on October 1st and a full moon again on October 30 (a full moon has a 29 day cycle). According to NASA “The key to a blue moon is having in the air lots of particles slightly wider than the wavelength of red light (0.7 micron)--and no other sizes present. This is rare, but volcanoes sometimes spit out such clouds, as do forest fires.”

GREEN

One of light’s primary colors and a secondary pigment color, green is in many ways paradoxical. It symbolizes renewal but at the same time connotes infirmity and illness. We call plant leaves

green, and yet they absorb all the visible color of the light spectrum except for green. Green depicts the earth, fertility, sensation, vegetation, water, nature, sympathy, adaptability, and growth. Metaphorically, green connects heaven and earth; the cool blue male light of intellect mixes with the warmth of the yellow sun and creates earth, the fertile female wisdom of equality, hope, and resurrection. The word green is attached to many organizations that promote the environment such as “Greenpeace.” Green tells us to go, grow, and live. Adversely, green conveys jealousy. Green, so easy on the eye and versatile in color combinations, appears between a warm and cool color on the color wheel.

Green inspires creativity, so if you are looking for innovation or inspiration, sit in a green room, wear green, or take a walk in a green field. Placing green plants in your office and positioning your desk towards foliage will have amplified effects.

Healing with Green

Based upon green’s restorative qualities, “greenrooms” are waiting rooms found at network stations and theaters.

Green is said to be the most restful color and can even improve vision. Green implies safety and therefore its is a good color choice when advertising drugs or medical products. Shades of green have different meanings. Dark green is often associated with ambition and negatively with greed and jealously. Yellow-green can indicate illness and cowardice. Aqua is associated with emotional healing and protection. Green is the sacred color in Islam. In China, green connects with thunder and arouses yang energy. Green corresponds to the wood element, which represents longevity, strength, and hope.

Character Traits

People who prefer green as their favorite color are often civic-minded, community involved persons. They tend to be generous and approachable. They are do-gooders, caring, loyal, moral friends and companions.

Is it blue or is it green? Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish a bluish-green color. For this very reason we use as objects or nouns such as pea green, grass green, avocado green, and army green when describing certain objects.

According to scientist Diane Ackerman, the Jale tribe’s people of New Guinea have no word for green. They are happy to label a leaf as either light or dark. The Japanese only recently added the word green to their language. Because of green’s location on the color wheel, nestled between a warm and cold color, green is considered a neutral color; it can be combined with any color for a harmonizing effect.

Violet (Purple)

Violet (also known as purple) has the highest frequency in the visible spectrum. It falls between courageous red and noble blue on the color wheel. In other words, it is comprised of both a warm (red) color and a cool (blue) hue. Dark shades of purple lend themselves to spiritual and sensual elements and are often used to symbolize royal sovereignty and dignity. Light shades of purple are considered feminine.

Purple is the color of mourning in Thailand. The Purple Heart is awarded to soldiers who have been wounded in combat. Violet also symbolizes wit, intelligence, knowledge, religious devotion, and humility. Magic and the occult are also often coupled with violet. Purple’s complementary mate is yellow and harmonious combinations include soft green and lavender, aquamarine and purple, and pink and purple.

White

Heavenly white stirs images of angels, hope, and peace. But objects aren’t the colors we see. Just as a red apple absorbs blue and green wavelengths and reflects back red, a white object is truly transparent and reflects back all colors. Did you know that polar bears are not white? According to scientist/author Diane Ackerman, who eloquently writes about the senses in her book, A Natural History of the Senses, polar bears have clear fur. “Their transparent fur doesn’t contain a white pigment, but the hair shafts house many tiny air bubbles, which scatter the sun’s white light and we register the spectacle as white fur.” That same thing happens with a swan’s white feather.

White can simultaneously represent the absence of all color and the sum of all color; the three light primaries create white light and a white object reflects all color wavelengths. While white is the color of grace and purity here in the United States, white is the color of mourning in Hindu nations.

Brown

A tree trunk is not just brown. There are many variations of this earth rich color including umber and burnt umber. Brown, the color of earth, is associated with stability and dependability. People who like brown usually have a sharpened sense of responsibility. They are also down-to-earth

© Cheryl Machat Dorskind Lesson 2, page #14 © Cheryl Machat Dorskind ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ALL About Color Lesson Two www.cherylmachatdorskind.com and love comfort and harmony. Like the earth, brown people are grounded and reliable. Think of UPS and now you'll understand why they chose brown as their branding color. Brown makes us feel safe and nurtured; brown is grouped with tan, taupe, beige, and cream. According to the Watkins Dream Dictionary, brown represents money luck. Blue and brown together combine both a warm and cold color palette. Used in appropriate shades and intensity, they create harmony.

Black

When all lights are absorbed and nothing reflects back, we have a black object. In Western culture, black represents death and mourning. It also represents seriousness as epitomized by the Puritans, who wore only black clothing. Typically, black is the color of night and adversity and often connotes mystery. Mystically, black is considered the color of the divine and the symbol of individual oneness, since black contains all colors.

Gems

Magical powers have long been associated with gems. Sapphire represented blue sky, and was worn or it adorned rooms to enhance bodily heaven and mental composure. The blue diamond is the rarest of all diamonds. Ruby was used to avoid disease and emerald conveyed wisdom and was used for treating eye problems. Topaz, nearly colorless, reflects pale blue or yellow and is the natural gem of Utah. As legend has it, wear topaz if you wish to be clear sighted. (Utah Gov: Public Pioneer. Utah’s Online Library. “Utah Symbols:” http://www.about-birthstones.com/ birthstone-list.html)

Birth Stones and Colors

MONTH STONE COLOR January Garnet Deep dark red February Amethyst Purple March Aquamarine Pale Blue April Diamond Clear, white May Emerald Green June Pearl, or Moonstone White or Purple July Ruby Red August Peridot Pale green September Sapphire Deep Blue October Opal, Pink Tourmaline Multi color, Pink November Citrine, Yellow Topaz Yellow December Blue Topaz, Turquoise Blue

Religious

Since the beginning of time, color has held mystical and religious symbolism and today, there are still many religious and mystical color associations. In the first testament red often represents compassion or martyrdom; blue, divinity; white, purity and joy; green, immortality; yellow or gold, celestial glory; and purple, sorrow. In the Kabbalah, blue represents mercy; yellow, severity; red, strength; and purple, foundation. In Tibetan Buddhism, blue symbolizes awareness, wisdom, and south. To the Chinese, blue represents immortality, as does the Blue City in Jewish traditions. In the Christian religion, blue represents the Virgin.

In addition to color being a source of religious inspiration and symbols, color was (and still is) associated with music, the planets, the elements, and the compass. The Greeks connected color with the four elements: earth (green), air (yellow), fire (red), and water (blue). The Chinese added a fifth element, metal, and associated colors with the compass.

Dreams

Some people dream in color, while others dream in black and white. Some see their dream world through brightly colored visions, while others see their dream realms in drab colors. According to the “Watkins Dictionary of Dreams,” Black represents ignorance and witlessness; Blue: Intellect and Understanding; Green: Astral Growth and Spiritual Development; Purple: Wisdom and Acumen; Rose Red: Love and Tenderness; Red: Power and Ambition; Scarlet: Life Energy and Fundamental Vitality; Yellow: kinship; and White: Purity and perfection.

ALL About Color Assignment 2

What’s your favorite color?

Just as a writer should have a pen and paper on hand, the renowned Beat poet Allen Ginsberg encouraged me to always carry a camera. A passionate photographer himself, Allen often used his camera in lieu of a notepad, sketching interesting vistas, details, and oddities.

This assignment encourages you to take the time to observe the unobserved, examine the unexpected. Let your eye be the poet as you focus on one particular color. While you are required to have a camera by-your-side for the next few days, you can approach this assignment with a point-and-shoot camera or a digital SLR. The camera is not important, photographing is.

Choose one color for your theme and explore it photographically. Consider choosing either your favorite color or one you dislike—in other words, choose a color you are passionate about. For the next three or four days, photograph that color. Photograph the color as you see it in your home, on your breakfast table, or hanging in your closet; discover the color in your backyard, on the way to work, or in your ofﬁce.

Experiment with different white balance settings to add mood to the images. Vary your perspective, time of day, and weather. Consider using a lens that has been in the camera bag far too long.

Upload your three favorite pictures.