Colour Psychology: What different colours mean

The question of colour factors into Valentine’s Day very much, usually relating to what to wear. While red was marked the colour of the day, some ladies struggle to steer clear of it, to be different or for other reasons. But why red anyway? And what do all these colours reflect of the wearer?

When you wear red this Valentines Day, be in the know of what you are asking for and be sure it is what you want to wear. If you do not, let it be because you are not in the mood for it and what it means.

More importantly, be ready to defend your choice of pink over red (or whatever colour) on that day, say for the simple reason that pink is, after all, the universal colour of love, and not red. A swift internet search reveals the different meanings of colours as reflected of the wearer, whether consciously or not.

This is knowledge you will need for Valentine’s Day and beyond. For the woman, that is, that goes out to deliberately grab the bull called life, by the horns, or the one that decides they will dodge it and play safe.

Black is the colour of the hidden, the secretive and the unknown, creating an air of mystery. In colour psychology, black is protection from external emotional stress, and means power and control, hanging on to information and things rather than giving out to others. Black is intimidating, unfriendly and unapproachable because of the power it exudes. It creates a barrier between itself and the outside world, providing comfort while protecting its emotions and feelings, and hiding its vulnerabilities, insecurities and lack of self-confidence. Black is the absorption of all color and the absence of light. Black implies self-control and discipline, independence and a strong will, and giving an impression of authority and power.

Pink is psychologically the colour of unconditional love, compassion, nurturing, and beauty. It is intuitive and insightful, showing tenderness and kindness. Pink is feminine and romantic too. It tones down the physical passion of red replacing it with a gentle loving energy. Combining pink with other darker colours adds strength and sophistication. Pink may also be immature, silly and girlish. representing a lack of will power, self-reliance and self-worth. It can indicate an overly emotional and overly cautious nature.

Red is a warm and positive colour associated with our most physical needs and our will to survive. It exudes a strong and powerful masculine energy. Whether consciously or not, the day you wear red may indicate a readiness to take action, or be passionate about what you are going to be doing that day. Again, it may mean that you are feeling angry that day, on either a conscious or subconscious level.

Energy: it boosts our physical energy levels, increases our heart rate and blood pressure and prompts the release of adrenalin.

Action: it is fast moving and promotes a need for action and movement.

Desire: it relates to physical desire in all its forms- sexual, appetite, cravings.

Passion: it means a passionate belief in an issue or undertaking, including passionate love or passionate hate. Anger is negative passion.

Red comes in different shades of maroon, burgundy, crimson and scarlet, each with a difference in intensity of the quality emitted by red.

Blue is the colour of trust and peace, youth, spirituality and truth. It can suggest loyalty and integrity as well as conservatism and frigidity.

Purple is the colour of the imagination royalty, magic and mystery. It can be creative and individual or immature and impractical.

Silver has a feminine energy. It is related to the moon and the ebb and flow of the tides; it is fluid, emotional, sensitive and mysterious.

Green is the colour of balance and growth, life, nature, fertility, wellbeing. It can mean both self-reliance as a positive, and possessiveness as a negative. Green is an emotionally positive color, giving us the ability to love and nurture ourselves and others unconditionally.