Significance of Colors

Credits: https://sunnyslideup.com/choosing-the-right-color/

“What’s your favorite color” you often hear kids asking one another. But, wait a minute! Adults have favorite colors too. I reread Pen of Hearts “Yellow: My Favorite Color” blog and was fascinated by it yet again. Dr. Namrata had earlier blogged and posted some questions; one of which was “what’s your favorite color?’ I participated and answered that my favorite color is Blue; any shade of blue. My wardrobe was all blue at one time and I had to intentionally mix it up.

Today, I’m blogging about the significance of colors; what do they mean to you. As the featured image illustrates, we associate certain things, moods, or events with colors. For example, Black is associated with evil, mourning, funeral, etc. White is for purity and peace, while Red is associated with “fire,” danger, “hot,” and sensuality/love. Those who own red cars will testify to how they are easily a target for pull-overs by police officers or highway patrols more times than most drivers or other colored cars. Green is associated with money, fruitfulness, envy, greed, “go,” etc., and Purple is associated with royalty.

Having said that, we recognize cultural differences and acknowledge that there might be disparities in meanings associated with certain colors. For example, red means good luck, happiness, and joy to the Chinese. If you’ve attended Chinese events, particularly during their New Year, you will notice the vibrant display of decorations and clothings in red.

Also, different businesses/industries are known for their colors. Financial industries prefer blue; medical are white, legal professionals are associated with white and black, while waiters/waitresses wear black; to name a few.

Colors are significant across cultures too. Below is a table of different colors across cultures.

Credits: https://www.globalme.net/blog/colours-across-cultures/

I noticed however that Africa was excluded from the above table and researched it. This is what I found:

Credits: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-meaning-of-each-color-according-to-African-culture

Red means the blood that was split on our lands in the time of slavery.
Green means the fertile lands we own, which is a source of great wealth.
Black represents the color of our skin.
White represents peace.
Gold represents the sun.

Another site on significance of African colors had this:

Black: power, evil, death, mystery
Grey: security, authority, maturity, stability
Purple: royalty, luxury, wisdom, passion
Yellow: joy, energy, warmthRed: danger, daring, urgency, energetic
Blue: peace, calmness, confidence, affection
Green: life, growth, freshness, healing
White: hope, purity, coolness, light

. . .

Colors are powerful and invoke different meanings and emotions in each person, business, religion, and culture. In this globally-correct times, it is important to know the right colors especially when gifting. Showing up for work dressed up in a colorful attire at Wall Street or a bank is faux pas. A gift wrapped in red might be alright to a Chinese, but bad for a Middle Easterner.

Colors also signify patriotism. The colors of each flag are usually seen as patriotic. Red, white, and blue symbolizes patriotism in the U.S.A.

Sports teams also have their colors which fans don on game day or to show fan loyalty generally. Golden State Warriors are white, blue, and gold. Lakers are black, gold, and purple.

. . .

What is your culture and what one color can you share with our blogging community that is associated with either a good or bad emotion?

Thanks for reading and sharing.

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