Color Your World

In search of how colors affect our emotions (for a book cover), I compiled an interesting list based on my limited research. Call me cautiously skeptical. I kept an open mind and started to wonder if there’s proof when we say something connected to a color to describe our feelings/moods/emotions. For example: “I feel very blue today” or “I’m tickled pink”. What does that really mean?

If pressed I’ll tell you my favorite color is green. But not deep forest, or lime or Green Monstah (Love ya, my Boston Red Sox). Nope. Sea blue-green. As when the sun beams on the North Atlantic Ocean in the middle of July and creates dark and light blue-green hues. Digging further, I’m guessing it’s not the COLOR per se, but the feeling or mood the ocean arouses in its entirety — effortless, consistent, strong, dependable, cool, peaceful. Color has nothing to do with the sound of waves folding into the sandy shoreline or beating the rocky coast to a pulp. And the infusion of salt spray into my lungs — don’t get me started on the smell! Other senses cannot be considered mere bit players of color, my friends.

When I checked my color preferences against the chart –- green and blue — I concur with most of the descriptions. I live near the ocean by choice. I feel physically drawn to the water, the sand, the scent. It’s the place I go to think and recharge. To relieve my worries and renew my energy. To let it all go and just…be. Either it’s a hokey theory or there’s a bit of truth to this color/mood/emotion thing.

Marketers craft advertisements based on how consumers respond to colors. And it’s important to note that colors have different meanings depending on culture. With that said, there’s a reason why the golden arches of McDonald’s make (some of) us hungry for a burger.  Their yellow branding is ingrained in our heads, unless you are in Sedona, Arizona, where the arches are turquoise.

Okay, sure, like all silly charts we can find whatever we want in them.

Today I’m feeling YELLOW (optimistic, creative) with a touch of PURPLE (apparently also creative) sprinkled with GRAY (balanced). So what’s the conclusion?

For what it’s worth, here’s a list of color and emotions evoked by them.

 YELLOW – Optimism, Clarity, Warmth, Happy, Intellect, Caution, Friendly, Cowardice, Fun, Lightness, Creativity, Logic, Intellect, Childish, Joy, Comfort

ORANGE – Friendly, Cheerful, Confident, Innovation, Creativity, Thinking, Ideas, Optimism, Emotional, Enthusiasm, Thirst, Attraction, Affordable, Playful, Vibrant, Stimulating, Open minded

RED – Excitement, Youthful, Bold, Love, Passion, Romance, Danger, Energy, Vitality, Stamina, Grounding, Spontaneous, Anger, Hunger, Warmth

WHITE – Hope, Simplicity, Cleanliness, Goodness, Purity, Light, Youthful, Mild

BLUE – Trust, Dependable, Strength, Peace, Tranquility, Confidence, Sincerity, Calm, Integrity, Kindness, Truth, Devotion, Natural, Faith, Smart, Loyal, Depth, Cool, Harmony, Longing, Beauty, Sense of Duty

GREEN – Peaceful, Growth, Health, Life, Nature, Money, Freshness, Balance, Harmony, Social, Communication, Jealousy, Envy, Relax, Safety, Durable, Calm, Environmental, Cool, Abundance

PINK – Sensitive, Emotional, Caring, Sympathetic, Love, Sexuality, Love, Beauty, Friendship, Soft, Sweet, Security, Nurture, Gratitude, Modesty, Politeness, Idealism

GRAY – Balance, Calm, Neutral, Authority, Stability, Security, Maturity, Conservative, Traditional, Serious, Prestige, Scientific

PURPLE – Creative, Imaginative, Wisdom, Royalty, Luxury, Intuition, Meditation, Flow, Artistic, Arrogant, Mysterious, Vision, Magic, Spirituality, Dignity, Repentance, Frugal, Exclusive, Fancy

BLACK – Power, Sophistication, Mystery, Death, Elegance, Evil, Strength, Formality, Seductive

What color is your feeling/mood/emotion today?

BE F-G AWESOME TODAY!

Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio
Image: Henry Lorenzatto