Using color to express yourself is an ancient and universal language. It can convey your mood, personal nature, or intentions in a space or situation. It can also be used to inspire emotions and states of being. Bringing an opposite color into your sight can even out extreme emotions. For example, certain shades of pink are used in holding rooms in some prisons to curb aggression and violence in inmates. In your wardrobe or surroundings it can be used to stimulate or suppress various attitudes and conditions. So let’s take a look at what colors convey so you can use them to communicate what you want instead of what you don’t intend.
Red
Red is the hottest of the colors, often chosen by extroverts and males. It is the color of passion and fire (red roses, hearts) – it can also convey anger. It’s an emotionally intense color, signifying danger, power, love and war. The “red planet” is known to represent the God of War, Mercury. In China, it’s the color of prosperity and joy, probably from the color of blood – symbolizing life and vitality. Often found in national flags and emblems, bearing this color is a sign of courage.
Red in your life brings more energy, confidence to pursue your life’s dreams, and protection from danger.
Red gemstones can grant strength, promote will power and courage, add vitality, and overcome dysfunctions. Carry or place red gemstones around your home or office to stimulate vitality and energy.
Red is the color associated with the Root Chakra at the base of the spine (animal or base nature). This chakra is responsible for maintaining the body’s heat and circulatory system. It is where the connection with the earth is maintained. Dysfunction here can lead to neurosis, being flighty and depression.
What the heck is a chakra? Used as a way to represent various energy centers in the body, it comes from eastern yoga practices.
Light red represents joy, sexuality, passion, sensitivity, and love. Dark red is associated with vigor, willpower, rage, anger, leadership, courage, longing, malice, and wrath.
Pink
Pink mixes red with white. White is the presence of all things in fullness, red provides the vitality and energy to achieve. Deep pinks are said to neutralize disorder and violence. Pink can bring feelings of the softness and value in humanity: caring, tenderness, self-worth, love, and acceptance.
Pink in your life brings calm, neutral, relaxed energy and can bridge the gap to acceptance and contentment. Pink gemstones can be used to promote love, self-worth, order and protection from violence or aggression.
Brown
Brown occurs as a mixture of many colors. Each color by itself produces its own distinct affect. As they occur muted and mixed together they even out each colors extremes. This allows for stability and evenness; being “down to earth.” Too much brown can give a sense of dullness, may seem to give a mixed, lost presence. Use it to appear neutral as it will help play down moods and components of one’s nature. Brown gemstones act as a grounding force and promote stability and clear thinking
Orange
Orange combines the power of red and the happiness of yellow. Because most orange things in nature are of joy (flowers, the sun, citrus) it brings about feelings of enthusiasm, fascination, creativity, and stimulation. Orange has very high visibility, so you can use it to catch attention or highlight the most important aspects of things. Said to be the color of Lady Luck, orange is representative of invigorating mental activity and decisiveness. Orange in your life will add vitality, focus and levity. Use it to promote personal power and self esteem.
Orange is the color associated with the Sacral Hara Chakra (sexuality and reproduction), about 8-10” below the navel. It is the seat of creativity, and is the origin of many emotions.
Stay tuned for the next installment of Coloring the World, where we’ll explore more colors, chakras, and color science.
