Colors

[Yvonne Belisle]

Found this and thought someone may find it interesting and useful.



It is believed by some that colors have an influence that is more than merely of an aesthetic nature. Below is a list of colors coupled with the significance assigned to each.




White: This color represents purity. Lighter colors raise consciousness and understanding.
Red: This color represents energy and primal force. Red is the dynamic color. This color is associated with the western zodiacal signs of "Aries" and "Scorpio"
Pink: The color of love and compassion.This color is associated with the western zodiacal sign of "Taurus".
Magenta: This color represents emotional healing. It is reputed to encourage the healing of a broken heart.
Purple: This color represents the meeting and blending of the mind and spirit. In the west, it was long a color of royalty. This color is associated with the western zodiacal sign of "Cancer".
Blue: This is the color of calm and quiet. This is one of the most soothing of colors. This color is associated with the western zodiacal signs of "Libra", "Aquarius", and "Virgo".
Turquoise: This color represents universal Brotherhood. It is a friendly color. This color is associated with the western zodiacal sign of "Sagittarius".
Green: This is the color of sensitivity and healing. Green has traditionally been associated with fertility and abundance. Green is the most restful color and has great powers of healing. This color is associated with the western zodiacal sign of "Capricorn" and "Pisces".
Yellow: This is a cleansing color. It helps clear the mind but should be used with moderation since in its more vivid shades it is the most tiring color to the human eye. Utilize this color conservatively.This color is associated with the western zodiacal sign of "Gemini".
Orange: This is a color of warmth and creativity. This color is associated with the western zodiacal sign of "Leo".
Black: This color can attract negativity. However, it can also be helpful in keeping its wearer protected from negative energies.

[Yvonne Belisle]

This one is traditional African meanings.

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Black derives its significance from the notion that new things get darker while they mature; and physical aging comes with spiritual maturity. The Akans blacken most of their ritual objects to increase their spiritual potency. Black symbolizes an intensified spiritual energy, communion with the ancestral spirits, antiquity, spiritual maturity, and spiritual potency.

White
White derives its symbolism from the white part of egg and also from white clay used in spiritual purification, healing, sanctification rites and festive occasions. In some situations it symbolizes contact with ancestral spirits, deities, and other unknown spiritual entities such as ghosts. It is used in combination with black, green, gold, or yellow to express spiritual vitality and balance.

Yellow
In all its variations, is associated with the yoke of an egg, ripe and edible fruits and vegetables and also with the mineral gold. In some spiritual purification rituals, mashed yam is rendered yellow with oil palm and served with eggs. It symbolizes sanctity, preciousness, royalty, wealth spiritual vitality, and fertility.

Pink
Is associated with female essence of life. It is viewed as red rendered mild and gentle and therefore associated with tenderness, calmness, pleasantness, and sweet. According to Akan social though, these attributes are generally considered as essential aspects of the female essence.

Red
Is associated with sense of seriousness, readiness for a serious spiritual or political encounter. It is also associated with blood, sacrificial rites and the shedding of blood. Red is therefore used as a symbol of heightened spiritual and political mood, sacrifice and struggle.

Blue
Is associated with the blue sky, the abode of the supreme creator. It is therefore used in a variety of ways to symbolize spiritual sanctity, good fortune, peacefulness, harmony and love related ideas.

Green
Is associated with vegetable, planting, harvesting and herbal medicine. Tender green leaves are usually used to sprinkle water during purification rituals. It symbolizes growth, vitality, fertility, prosperity, fruitfulness, abundance, health and spiritual rejuvenation.

Purple
Is viewed in the same way as maroon. It is considered as earth associated color used in rituals and healing purposes. It is also associated with feminine aspects of life. Female mostly wears purple cloths.

Maroon
Has a close resemblance to red-brown which is associated with the color of mother earth. Red-brown is usually obtained from clay and is therefore associated with healing and the power to repel malevolent spirits.

Grey
Derives its symbolism from ash. Ash is used for healing and spiritual cleansing rituals to recreate spiritual balance when spiritual blemish has occurred. It is also used in rituals for protection against malevolent spirit blemish but also with spiritual cleansing.

Silver
Is associated with the moon which represents female essence of life. Silver ornaments are usually worn by women and are used in the context of spiritual purification, naming ceremonies, marriage ceremonies and other community festivals. It symbolizes serenity, purity and joy.

Gold
Derives its significance from the commercial value and social Prestige associated with the precious mineral. Gold dust and gold nuggets were used as medium of exchange and for making valuable royal ornaments. It symbolizes royalty, wealth, elegance, high status, supreme quality, glory, and spiritual purity.

[Yvonne Belisle]

Colors by culture.....



Color Cultural Significance
Red China - symbol of celebration and luck, used in many cultural ceremonies that range from funerals to weddings.
India - color of purity (used in wedding outfits).
United States - Christmas color when combined with green; Valentines Day when combined with pink; indicates stop (danger) at traffic lights.
Eastern cultures - signifies joy when combined with white.

Yellow Asia - sacred, imperial.
Western cultures - joy, happiness.
Blue China - associated with immortality.
Colombia - associated with soap.
Hindus - the color of Krishna.
Jews - holiness.
Middle East - protective color.
* Note: Blue is often considered to be the safest global color.
Orange Ireland - religious significance (Protestant).
United States - inexpensive goods, Halloween (with black).
Green China - studies indicate this is not a good color choice for packaging, green hats mean a man's wife is cheating on him.
France - studies indicate this is not a good color choice for packaging.
India - the color of Islam.
Ireland - religious significance (Catholic).
Some tropical countries - associated with danger
United States - indicates go (safe) at traffic lights, environmental awareness, St. Patrick's Day, Christmas color (red and green).

Purple Western cultures - royalty.
Gray Western cultures - loneliness, lifeless and loveless times or settings.
Brown Colombia - discourages sales.
India - the color of mourning.
White Eastern cultures - mourning, death.
Japan - white carnations signify death.
United States - purity (used in weddings).
Black Western cultures - mourning, death.
Saffron Hindu - sacred color (orangish peach color).
Pastels Korea - trust.
United States - spring, Easter; pale blue (baby blue) stands for an infant boy; pale pink stands for an infant girl.


Rainbow United States - Gay pride; Christianity; cultural unity.