Color & Culture Matters

Color psychology is the study of color as a determinant of human behavior. However, the interface between color and environmental stimuli is a highly complex interface and one which is open to the influence of a large number of factors. There are several reasons why colors are able to influence how we feel. "We react on multiple levels of association with colors -- there are social or culture levels as well as personal relationships with particular colors," explains Leslie Harrington, executive director of The Color Association of The United States, which forecasts color trends. "You also have an innate reaction to color. For example, when you look at red, it does increase your heart rate. It is a stimulating color. This goes back to caveman days of fire and danger and alarm."

There are four psychological primary colors - red, blue, yellow and green. They relate respectively to the body, the mind, the emotions and the essential balance between these three.

Investigate comprehensively on how colors affect different people, either individually or as a group, is something some people build their careers on. And there’s a lot to it. Something as simple as changing the exact hue or saturation of a color can evoke a completely different feeling. Cultural differences mean that something that’s happy and uplifting in one country can be depressing in another. 

For example, in China, red is the color of prosperity and happiness. It can also be used to attract good luck. In other eastern cultures, red is worn by brides on their wedding days. In South Africa, however, red is the color of mourning. Red is also associated with communism. Red has become the color associated with AIDS awareness in Africa due to the popularity of the [RED] campaign.

Research

Physiological Colors 

There are four psychological primary colours - red, blue, yellow and green. They relate respectively to the body, the mind, the emotions and the essential balance between these three.

Color in World Culture
Color means many different things to different people and cultures. We all have our own favorite colors. People like different colors like they like different foods. Color also represents feelings, people, countries, cultures, and color symbolism.

BLUE COLOR

Positive: Intelligence, communication, trust, efficiency, serenity, duty, logic, coolness, reflection, calm.

Negative: Coldness, aloofness, lack of emotion, unfriendliness.

Blue is the colour of the mind and is essentially soothing; it affects us mentally, rather than the physical reaction we have to red. Strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration. Consequently it is serene and mentally calming. It is the colour of clear communication. Blue objects do not appear to be as close to us as red ones. Time and again in research, blue is the world's favourite colour. However, it can be perceived as cold, unemotional and unfriendly.

The understanding of blue are regularly connected with peacefulness, quiet and otherworldly existence. Anyway color imagery might be abnormally opposing and Blue is the same. Blue additionally infers pity and dejection for a lot of people. Reviews reveal to it is most individuals' most loved color particularly men. For some the darker shades, for example, war fleet blue, are considered ultra-manly, connected with achievement, power and corporate shade implications. We additionally consider cool fresh soul in connection to water games, for example, cruising.

Meaning of Blue in certain cultures

• In Christianity the Madonna is usually clothed in Blue to symbolize virtue.
• In the Jewish faith, Blue is the color of holiness.
• In Hinduism Blue is the color of the god Krishna.
• In China Blue represents immortality.
• Philosophers in Ancient Rome wore Blue robes to show their rank.
• In Japan Indigo Blue is often used in art and clothing and symbolizes the vast ocean surrounding the islands.
• In Ancient Egypt the skin of the god Amun was painted blue to signify the divine.
• In Germany employees being dismissed are given Blue Letters or "Blaue Briefe".
• In France deep Blue is strongly associated with Royalty and Aristocracy.
• Some Native Americans believe the color symbolism of Blue means using intuition to serve and teach.
• In Iran Blue is the color of mourning. 

Looking at culture, I took the example of Christianity culture. Blue, the color of the sky, is symbolic of heaven. It may also be used to symbolize truth. Blue is gaining acceptance as a liturgical color for Advent. 

We can see that the color combination of the blue and white creates this harmonized color that we see and feel this heavenly, cleanly feeling.

I also had the example of where else we can see the color blue somewhere which can relate to its meaning and its culture. 

The color blue represents the sea which is so important to Greece and such a major portion of its economy. The white represents the waves on the ocean. Blue has also always been a color of protection, seen in the blue eye amulets used to ward off evil, and white is seen as the color of purity.

Color may produce an alternate level of significance in the psyche. This imagery emerges from social and contemporary settings. As being what is indicated, it is not widespread and may be inconsequential to its characteristic affiliations. Case in point, green's relationship with nature impart development, productivity, freshness and biology. Then again, green may additionally be typical of good fortunes, nausea, cash and covetousness — all of which have nothing to do with green plants. These affiliations emerge from a complex variety of sources. 

Besides, color may have both positive and negative imagery. Case in point, albeit blue is the excellent color of the sky on a sunny day, it might be typical of pity or security. Informal American English reflects these qualities in expressions, for example, "singing soul" and "blue chip stocks." Red is an alternate case of double imagery. On one hand, as the shade of flame and blood, it is a fortifying, forceful and striking color. In immediate complexity, red is utilized for "STOP" signs all through the world today.

RED COLOR

Red is the color of love in most cultures: Chinese brides wear red for their wedding, and red roses are the most common gift for St. Valentine’s Day.

Red is also the colour of communism – the flags of China and Vietnam are red. The Former Soviet Union’s flag used to be red too. The army of the Soviet Union was known as the “Red Army”.

In Christianity, green and red are associated with Christmas. There is an Easter tradition to colour eggs red – red in this case represents the blood of Christ. Satan is also most of the time represented by the colour red in icons and popular culture. On the other hand, Santa Claus wears red and white for Christmas.

In China, red paper and red envelopes are frequently used to wrap gifts of money. Though, on the negative side, obituaries are traditionally written in red ink, and to write someone’s name in red signals that you are either cutting them out of your life, or that they have died.

Red is also used to indicate emergency and warnings. Red is the colour for all Stop signs around the World. However, the first Stop sign had black letters on a white background until 1924 when white was replaced with yellow. It wasn’t until 954 that all stop signs became white and red.

Positive Meanings of Red

• Virility, Sex
• Passion, Love
• Heat, Daring
• Boldness, Independence
• Action, Dynamism
• Energy, Speed

Negative Meanings of Red

• Danger, Evil
• Aggression, Anger
• Violence, Death
• Blood, Martyrdom
• War, Revolution

Meanings of Red in Other Cultures

• In Russia Red symbolizes Communism and revolution.
• In China, brides wear Red and it is considered a Good Luck color.
• To most Asians Red means happiness and prosperity.
• In India Red is a symbol of life-giving purity.
• In the Middle East the color symbolism of Red is Danger and Evil.
• In Greece Red is considered a dominant male color.
• In Japan Red is considered a life-giving color associated with female reproduction.
• In Christianity, Red combined with Green is associated with Christmas.
• To some Native Americans specially the Cherokee, Red symbolizes the East and Sacred Fire.
• In South Africa Red is the color of mourning.
• In Amsterdam Red sells sex in the Red Light district, a legalized zone of prostitution.

Red Color in Chinese Culture

What Does the Color red Mean in China?

Red is seen as the color of happiness, joy, and Chinese good luck. Many brides dress in red for their wedding ceremonies. Red envelopes containing money are often given at weddings and at the birth of baby boys. Red in advertising is seen to symbolize prosperity and happiness. Be careful when doing business in China, as writing a name with red ink can be seen as offensive, on all but the most important official papers. symbolizes good fortune and joy in Chinese culture and it is found everywhere during the Chinese New Year and other family holidays or gatherings.  Customarily, on Chinese New Year, the elders give the younger ones a red envelope to welcome in the new year and give a blessing to the younger ones.  The red envelope is also a symbol of prosperity.  Red is also the color in Chinese weddings, representing good luck, joy and happiness, thus, red should not be worn on funerals.

Envelopes color of red.

Good luck covered mostly in red color.

At weddings, the bride wears red, which also shows joy and happiness.

YELLOW COLOR

The meanings of yellow can be very contradictory. Everyone you ask will have a strong opinion about it. Yellow is one of those colors that you either love or hate.

For some, yellow gives them a happy, uplifting feeling. For others, yellow gives them a headache, quite literally especially the more intense hues.

Yellow is one of the three Primary Colors. Keep in mind the color psychology will change with the intensity of the tint, tone or shade of yellow. Altering the Yellow by mixing in other colors will create subtle changes which can make a big difference to how people react.

For example, color schemes made up of pale, creamy and toned-down monochromatic yellows would likely create a warming, happy atmosphere. However too much of intense primary yellows might be perceived as annoying.

Yellow is the lightest and brightest color on the Basic Color Wheel and in the full spectrum of light. Even some blind people can detect yellow. This is why it's often used for ambulances and emergency vehicles.

No matter how much pure pigment Yellow contains, it will never be darker than any of the other colors on the Color Wheel unless you add gray or brown. This golden lightness often makes people think of Yellow and its color symbolism as a spiritual color. It's also used often by artists to create a sense of luminosity.

Color psychology is so complex, that each one of these swatches would create a completely different reaction. Remember that the meanings of yellow or any other color are cultural and psychological. It's not an exact science but interesting all the same.

Positive Meanings of Yellow

• Spirituality, Enlightenment
• Luminosity, Sunlight
• Cheerfulness, Happiness
• Optimism, Hope
• Energy, Intuition
• Manifestation, Opportunity

Negative Meanings of Yellow

• Cowardice
• Deceit, Betrayal
• Jaundice, Illness
• Faithlessness, Unrequited Love
• Hazard, Emergency

Meanings of Yellow in History & Popular Culture

• In the Christian tradition Judas wore a Yellow coat when he betrayed Jesus.
• Law enforcement in North America uses bright Yellow tape to mark a crime scene.
• Yellow Traffic Light means caution - or slow down.
• Yellow is often used for packaging No Name products to signify bargain pricing.
• Yellow Page phone directories are a common sight everywhere.
• We 'tie a Yellow Ribbon' as a symbol of hope, peace and remembrance.
• The phrase 'Yellow Journalism' is used to mean irresponsible reporting.
• In the United States and Canada, taxis are often Yellow Cabs.
• OSHA Coding uses Yellow signs to caution against physical hazards.
• In mythology, Greek Goddesses were always 'golden haired' which has given us our fascination with blond people to this day.
• In the signs of the Zodiac, Yellow is usually associated with Taurus.

Yellow Tape Meaning With Caution

Caution tape, also known as warning tape, police tape, or construction tape is an enduring plastic tape of a signal color or highly contrasting color combination, such as yellow-black to capture the attention of the onlookers. This tape is used to secure the crime scenes by demonstrating that entrance will be refused to people who are not sanctioned to be in the area. The aim of the crime scene tape is to build a blockade that will avert contamination of the crime scene, and to make sure that a crime scene’s integrity is protected while a crime is investigated.

It is wrapped and fastened as a visible cautioning sign and demarcation against entering an unsafe area, such as road works construction site or the scene of an accident or a crime, or against managing broken down machinery. It carries consistent alerts particularly noticeable in writing. The tape may refer to the particular agency doing the investigating, such as Police or a government agency concerned with national security and criminal investigations.

Caution Police tape does not always mean that a murder has taken place. It can mean many things, for instance, “break and enter” has taken place, or someone who lived there was taken to a hospital, and the person responsible for the crime might still be “at large”.

Occasionally when people cross the threshold of a crime scene, they can leave evidence behind and can take evidence from the scene with them. Also it is forensically significant that only the investigators who are collecting evidence be allowed in a crime scene, so that the evidence is not unintentionally adulterated.

GREEN COLOR

The most universal meanings of green are strongly associated with nature. In today's world, we have become increasingly concerned with preserving our planet ecologically. Green color meanings have become closely tied with this trend. We have the 'Green Revolution', 'Going Green' and 'Green Energy' to name only a few.

Most people are very attracted to Green although there are also negative meanings of Green such as envy and illness. Usually this negative color symbolism of Green results from having too much Yellow mixed in such as the color Puce or Khaki.

The psychology of Green which is pale and muted by tinting or toning with White or Gray, usually creates a very relaxing environment. These colors generally work beautifully in a spa or health clinic for example.

Greens darkened with Black to create Shades can be very masculine and mysterious. These are often used in corporate offices and restaurants.

The color Green is the most restful and relaxing color to the eye optically because of its spectral wavelength. However the range of different Greens is very broad. A relatively high proportion of men are genetically Red/Green Colorblind and have difficulty distinguishing some Greens.

Positive Meanings of Green

• Nature, Ecology
• Conservation, Environment
• Growth, Renewal
• Freshness, Cleanliness
• Health, Youthfulness
• Peace, Tranquility
• Harmony, Balance
• Calming, Relaxation
• Youth, Joy

Negative Meanings of Green

• Envy, Jealousy
• Inexperience, Immaturity
• Illness, Bile
• Deterioration, Rotting

Meanings of Green in Other Cultures

• In Christianity Green is associated with baptism and the feast of the Eucharist.
• Green is the sacred color of Islam and is a sign of respect and veneration.
• In the Muslim world, Green signifies the Prophet Muhammad.
• Green is the color of Ireland which is sometimes called the "Emerald Isle".
• In England green has heroic meanings and is connected to the stories of Robin Hood.
• In China Green represents disgrace.
• Also in China Green Jade is highly prized for its beauty which represents virtue.
• In North Africa Green symbolizes corruption.
• In Japan Green signifies eternal life.

Green Color In Islam

Revered is the colour green, which has been associated with Islam as a symbol of the religion itself. Green is the sacred colour of Islam, and is used for the bindings of the Qur'an (the Muslim Holy Book) and in the silken covers of the Sufi saints. It has been suggested that green is revered because it was worn by Muhammad, but it also symbolizes life and nature. When finally reaching paradise in the afterlife, the Qur'an states, "ornaments shall be given to them therein of bracelets of gold, and they shall wear green robes of fine silk and thick silk brocade interwoven with gold, (18:31)" and they will be "Reclining on green cushions and beautiful carpets (55:76)." In Islamic culture green and gold are the colors of paradise.

Green comes up a lot in Islamic history. It was the color of the flag of the Fatimid Caliphate, the last of the four Arab caliphates. During the crusades, Islamic soldiers wore green to identify themselves. (Likewise, crusaders avoided green in their coats of arms, just to be safe from friendly fire.) Some say the banner under which Mohammed fought in the war on Mecca was green with golden trimming. (The flag is currently locked away in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey—we don't really know what color it is.) For centuries in Persia, only descendants of Mohammed, known as the Sayyids, were allowed to wear green turbans—anyone else would be punished for it. Green was also favored by the Ottoman Empire, which after the Tanzimat reforms of the mid-19th century dyed its secular flags red and its religious flags green. More recently, the color has become associated with Hamas, which sports a bright green flag.