The psychology of colors: the meaning and influence on the character and psyche of man

Man lives in color: wildlife and artificial surroundings - everything has its own shades. Whether consciously or not, people prefer certain colors. This choice may be temporary or lasting, it may be due to personal experience or the experience of generations. There is an inverse relationship between the internal state of a person and his preferred color. This article will prove this fact proved by science and human experience.

Before talking about the mutual influence of character and color, it is worth determining their significance. Psychology is engaged in the study of the meaning and semantics of colors. Below is a table with a list of the main shades and their meaning.

In this table, the generally accepted values ​​and symbols of the primary colors and shades were considered. This knowledge will help you get closer to understanding the psychology of color. To further deepen the topic, you need to know what qualities a person has who prefers certain colors.

To judge the character of a person, one must take into account his position in life, the situation in which he is now, fashion. That is, you need to know something else about him, except for his addiction to any color. After all, his choice may well be dictated by the requirements of fashion, emphasize the symbolic meaning of clothing or compliance with a particular style. Noticing things with a predominance of what color a person surrounds himself in an informal setting in different situations, we can conclude about certain qualities of his character.

It is worth paying attention not only to the color of clothes, but also to decorations, interiors, dishes, products. If the choice is not dictated by a momentary mood, then a person constantly strives to be in an environment of a certain color scheme. What color is most like, it is easy to unobtrusively find out in the conversation. Usually, people are not wary of talking about their preferences.

So, a description of the qualities of people who adhere to a certain color palette.

• White. Symbolizes and carries the image of light. Therefore, a person who prefers this color, strives for purification, for light. Clarity and transparency in everything is important to him. The desire for ideality and impeccability may be noted (here it is worth remembering the white coats of doctors - impeccable sterility). Another quality emphasized by white is innocence. In a sign of her, as well as a sign of the beginning of a new life ("start life from scratch") put on a white bridal veil. In certain quantities and combinations, it can emphasize coldness and soullessness.
• Black. Often the choice of black shades is dictated by social conventions, then it means rigor, elegance.When this choice is due to psychological reasons, it can be caused by melancholy, inner emptiness, turning into rejection of one’s state, one’s life. Addiction to black indicates protest, aggression. The mood of such a person is peremptory, not intending to solve the problem. Examples of black lovers: nihilists, rockers, emo - these people strive to be different, to renounce public principles.
• Red. A man who prefers red, decisive, impetuous, self-confident. Being the color of fire, red warms, but can also cause overexcitation. Therefore, his fans are aggressive in their assertiveness. Often act recklessly, but according to the worldview, desperate optimists. These are born leaders. Women use this color to emphasize their sexuality and attractiveness. The burgundy shade of red makes a self-confident person calmly active and restrained, proud, depriving excessive impulsiveness and fussiness. But its extreme manifestation can be expressed in arrogance and arrogance. The combination of red and yellow - orange, combines their qualities. This is a color that gives joy. People who love him are energetic and cheerful. Creative and creative, they are always teeming with new ideas. Friendly, balanced and non-conflict. They are aimed at success and are able to achieve their goal. Inspiration and enthusiasm are also their hallmarks.
• Yellow. People of this color are cheerful and friendly. Their need to give warmth is akin to the sun itself. Optimists in everything notice only positive. These are creative natures who constantly have new ideas. For them, naturally open expression of their feelings. Accepting and supporting, good friends.
• Blue. A man who loves blue is usually calm and thoughtful, like a calm sea, but sometimes, when they prefer darker and deeper shades, he can be cold and dispassionate. These are reliable and loyal people, they can safely entrust their secrets. In their character self-control and self-discipline are distinctly noted. Those who love blue, impressionable, loyal, prone to thought and reflection people. They prefer peace. Predisposed to despondency. Turquoise like restrained, self-confident persons. They are independent, but love the attention of others and communication. They have the ability to think outside the box, so they always come up with something new, unfortunately, without putting it into practice.
• Purple. People whose favorite color is purple often feel a little “different from everyone else.” They prefer to live by their own rules. They are interested in mysticism, romance. Thinly sensitive and striving for spiritual growth. Holders of high intelligence. The borderline arrangement of violet between red and blue gives rise to constant internal contradictions, doubts in them. The qualities that characterize them are modesty, isolation, exposure to other people's influence. The purple hue reflects superiority, narcissism, the desire for power and power. These people love to be the center of attention. Their impulsiveness and truthfulness helps to quickly solve problems. Purple is a more delicate shade of purple. These people are characterized by sensitivity, love of art. In communication, they occupy an intermediate position, evade direct conversation. Emotionally, they have to balance between optimism and depression. They love to indulge in nostalgia. In terms of support in a difficult moment, you can always count on selfless help from them.
• In the green palette the impetuosity and joy of yellow are balanced by the coolness of blue. The meaning of green: calm, stop, pause, static. People who prefer green, balanced, stable and reliable. They are generous, sociable, friendly.They often compromise, not being able to defend their point of view, but are not prone to despondency.

A person is constantly exposed to color - in things and clothes, in nature and food, at work and at home, during wakefulness and even in a dream. Due to the property of the human psyche to perceive objects both consciously and unconsciously, color is able to influence our well-being and mood, bypassing consciousness. Using this knowledge about the influence of different shades on the psyche, you can avoid their negative impact or, conversely, use their beneficial properties.

The impact of this color, which incorporates the entire spectrum, contributes to both mental and physical purification. Gives a feeling of cleanliness, refreshing. May cause sensation of cold. White color symbolizes kindness, purity, sincerity, justice. To cultivate these qualities in yourself and attract others around them, you should use it in the interior, in clothes. Being perfect, he is able to instruct. With excess, anxiety, irritation, anxiety are possible.

It has a powerful effect on the human psyche. It suppresses, it feels like gravity (“black cloud”) threat (“black crow”), plunges into depression. Causes malice, gloomy aggression. As a means of social adaptation, it serves as a limiter and fit (creating an official business atmosphere). Emphasizes solidity and solidity. May give a sense of security.

It has the ability to devastate, which is sometimes used for self-adjustment in order to penetrate the subconscious. Often the choice of black is a manifestation of protest, renunciation. Then, being in his aura can help you understand and find yourself. After this, the transition to other colors must be done gradually.

The positive effect of red is invigorating and tonic. It is useful in case of spleen and breakdown, to overcome weakness and gloom. Increases self-confidence, improves mood. Its use in situations where it is necessary to defend one’s opinion is appropriate. To achieve the above effects, it is better to use it in the morning, since in the evening it can cause overexcitation and poor sleep. An abundance of red can cause aggression and irritability. In moderation, it warms, improves metabolism, increases blood pressure.

The main influence of this color is a positive attitude. The inclusion of orange motifs in everyday life stimulates activity, the desire to create something new, allows you to feel the taste of life. Orange helps to concentrate on the task, successfully conduct a dialogue, adds courage and determination.

Improves digestion. Stimulates respiratory activity, normalizes hormonal levels. It is highly appropriate to use orange for career success. But in the family sphere, his influence can be positive, since it increases attractiveness, and his warm, bright energy can become a family amulet when adding it to the interior, clothes and favorite things.

This color gives joy and charges with optimism. Promotes acceptance of one’s surroundings. Stimulates mental activity, promotes the formation of talents. Shades that are closer to lemon yellow improve mood and cheer up. Shades of yellow with brown can remind of autumn, inspire sadness.Positively affects the work of joints and spine, and also improves the condition of the skin.

Improves concentration, enhances self-control. Clarifies and refreshes the thought. It allows you to gain self-confidence, gives peace and serenity. It is useful to use it when there is a need for discipline, judiciousness and sober analysis. Dark, dark shades of blue cause anxiety and despondency. Therefore, given personality types, it is better to recommend them to people restless and excitable, and prone to melancholy it is undesirable to use it in clothes and in the interior.

Combines blue and white. Helps relax, calm. It’s good to use it when you need to concentrate, put your thoughts in order. Promotes effective communication, expression of thoughts, stabilizes the emotional state. Often this color draws up educational and medical rooms. Increases immunity, favorably affects the state of ENT organs. Excess can cause drowsiness.

It relaxes physically and psychologically. Reduces aggressiveness, soothes a surge of emotions. These properties are especially applicable in color therapy and for auto-training.

The color of grass and trees should be surrounded by those who lack a positive perception of the world, calm and harmonious interaction with their environment, confident movement towards the goal. The psychological qualities inherent in color are sociability, contact, confidence. Warm shades soothe, but not relax, but contribute to productive activities. Excessive dark tones can be depressing, this is confirmed by the phrase "longing green."

Exposure to green in the morning can cause drowsiness. But it well relieves of negative emotions and promotes a sound healthy sleep. Therefore, before going to bed, its use is appropriate, for example, green lighting in the bedroom or green bedding.

Excites imagination, inspires creativity, dreams. Often used for meditation. Improves memory, attention, stimulates intellectual activity. Suitable for thought, which helps easier problem solving. Too much of this color in space leads to excessive self-control, over-voltage, depressed state.

It normalizes blood pressure, reduces the heartbeat, stabilizes the psycho-emotional state, improves sleep, and the body's regenerative abilities. The unusual and attractive purple color is often used in packaging design. It indicates sophistication, mystery, thereby fueling the interest of the buyer.

So, color affects the mood, well-being, perception of the world. Regulates mental processes, is able to affect the physical state, sleep, state of health.

Max Lusher is the founder of color diagnostics. Before him, many thinkers and philosophers investigated the influence of colors and gave an interpretation of their meanings. But he first developed and successfully used the color test. It has only 8 colors: 4 primary (red, blue, green and yellow) and 4 additional (gray, brown, purple and black).

According to Luscher, normally the main colors should occupy the first 4 places in the sample. If preference is given to additional ones, and the main ones are chosen at the end, then we can safely say that a person suppresses some of his basic needs. This means that he lives in tension, looking for ways to compensate for his dissatisfaction. Self-deception and the illusion of satisfying basic needs lead to the fact that he does not live a full life.

Lusher, comparing the speech describing the mood of the client and the color choice, argued that the latter can not deceive. Indeed, the color test pretty accurately determines the emotional state at the moment.

From the point of view of one of the color perception researchers, Ch. A. Izmailov, most of our emotions can be located on the color spectrum. And then, according to his theory, most of the emotions of a person will be placed in a color scheme from blue to blue-red and purple, and a smaller part - in the range of green and green-blue. The rest, a very small part - in the field of light green shades.

G. Fliring developed a test for the study of personality characteristics: “Color Mirror”. The choice of colors determines the personality type:

• green-blue - mental;
• red-orange - sensual;
• olive green - intuitive;
• yellow-orange - extroverted;
• purple-black-pink - introverted.

The healing effect of flowers is confirmed by history. For example, the ancient Chinese treated scars for smallpox by basking in the sun on red silk. In France, window frames were painted blue to scare away flies. Yes, and on our own experience you can see that being in a brightly colored room is exciting, in dark colors it is suppressing, and in light, delicate ones it calms.

Tom Schreiter conditionally divided people into 4 color types, which can be recognized by human behavior and preferences. Briefly characterize them, then yellow is sociable and sympathetic; blue - cheerful, impulsive, companionable; red is a born leader; green is an introverted researcher and thinker. The purpose of this separation is to know and understand the person you are talking to and communicate with him in his language.

It is clear that in each person, as in a unique personality, all types can be combined and intertwined, that individuality cannot be measured by color alone. But having information about the meaning of colors, their impact on human physiology and psychology, the relationship of color preferences and character, you can better know yourself, your interlocutor and "tune" your life, health and relationships in accordance with your true desires and needs.