Communication through colours

At time people communicate through colours knowingly or unknowingly. It is important to find out the meaning of certain colours as part of non verbal communication. Colours have been an integral part of our lives for a very long time and so perhaps we are not aware of the profound impact that colours can have on our emotions and our psyche. Across the world various cultures have different meanings associated with these colours and that in turn has shaped our traditions and practices in many ways. In this modern time what we call culture is diluted because of the global community that we are involved in. In fact researchers and psychologists have also tried to understand the impact that colours can have on our life and our emotions so that these can perhaps be used as a way of therapy and enhancing the well being among people. Over a period of time humans have been able to identify the different colours and their meanings. The colour Black Black has always been regarded as a powerful colour and therefore has been associated with authority and power. This could be the reason why all executives wear black suites it is because of the powers they engross. In fact fashion experts often advise professionals to wear black since it is inordinately stylish and has a timeless elegance. Black however also signifies mystery and therefore has its association with the darker forces or negative forces and the unknown. A seemingly contrasting aspect of this colour is that it also symbolizes submission in many ways and perhaps that is why it is worn by priests as a symbol of their complete submission towards God. People who wear black also carry an air of aloofness around them and therefore this colour may also mean sophistication and an overpowering attitude. Black also evokes emotions of mystery and emptiness. Black also has a deep relationship with grief and loss. The colour black is important for professionals and reflect how much power an individual amasses. Black is authoritative and powerful; because black can evoke strong emotions too much can be overwhelming. A classic colour for clothing possibly because it makes the wearer appear thinner and more sophisticated. How the colour black affects us physically and mentally * feeling inconspicuous * a restful emptiness * mysterious evoking a sense of potential and possibility. The colour White White is a neutral colour that has always been associated with purity, innocence and freshness. Most people who wear white cloths are the un-touchable ones and people who are purer in every sense though sometimes people do not literally wear it to depict who there are. Perhaps this is why white is worn by brides as it symbolizes virginity and a new beginning. It also implies sterility and safety and is therefore worn by doctors for its association with healing. Houses also have white picket fences signifying safety. This colour symbolizes fresh beginnings and is supposed to help in clear thinking and purification of thoughts. How the colour white affects us mentally and physically * aids mental clarity * encourages us to clear clutter or obstacles * evokes purification of thoughts or actions * enables fresh beginnings The Colour Red Red is an extremely intense colour that immediately evokes passionate emotions. This colour is associated with the heart and perhaps that is why it symbolizes matters of the heart or love, passion and desire. But since this colour is so intense it also can mean danger and is therefore used in stop signs and lights. This colour is recognized as a stimulant and immediately draws attention. This colour is also associated with enthusiasm and energy and helps in increasing confidence. Pink which is a derivation of this colour symbolizes romance and is considered tranquilizing. Red has more personal associations than any other colour. Recognized as a stimulant red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Red draws attention and a keen use of red as an accent can immediately focus attention on a particular element. How the colour red affects us mentally and physically * Increases enthusiasm * Stimulates energy * Encourages action and confidence * A sense of protection from fears and anxiety The colour Blue Blue is among the most popular colours and can be seen generously in nature. Blue is associated with peace and tranquillity. This colour also symbolizes loyalty and is often painted in bedrooms as contact with it makes the human body produce chemicals that have a calming effect. Blue also signifies dependability and commitment along with trustworthiness. The expansiveness and constancy of this colour can be seen from the fact that the sky and the ocean are both blue. It therefore symbolizes serenity and calmness and can evoke a feeling of resting among people. However blue is also sometimes associated with depressing and cold feelings. Electric or brilliant blue colour is dramatic and has an exhilarating effect. Blue is a favourite among many people and is the least gender specific among all the colours. Blue can have a calming effect and is supposed to increase the quality of intuition among people. As the collective colour of the spirit, it invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming; however not all blues are serene and sedate. Electric or brilliant blues become dynamic and dramatic, an engaging colour that expresses exhilaration. Some shades or the overuse of blue may come across as cold or uncaring. Blue is the least "gender specific" colour, having equal appeal to both men and women. How the colour blue affects us physically and mentally * Calming and sedate * Cooling * Aids intuition The colour Green As soon as someone talks about green the one most common association that everyone can notice is that green is the symbol of nature. It therefore has relaxing qualities. Green also has the meaning of fertility and in many cultures brides wear green. The darker shade of green is considered rather masculine and signifies wealth and a conservative attitude. It also signifies tranquillity and is regarded as a symbol of freshness since the greenery of nature is rather refreshing. Green also means peace and is a symbol of the ecosystem but green is also associated negatively with the feeling of jealousy. Green can be used for relaxation and harmony as well as to heal from depression, nervousness and other physical problems. How the colour green affects us physically and mentally * Soothing * Relaxing mentally as well as physically * Helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety * Offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony The colour Yellow Yellow is a colour that easily attracts attention and is regarded as a positive colour. However, it can be rather overpowering and irritating. Yellow can enhance concentration and help increase the speed of the metabolism. It also symbolizes enlightenment, happiness and an optimistic attitude. It also signals towards a positive future and energy along with creativity. This colour can stimulate the nervous system and aid in communication and creativity. Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colours and instils optimism and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts. How the colour yellow affects us mentally and physically * Mentally stimulating * Stimulates the nervous system * Activates memory * Encourages communication The colour Orange Orange which is a relative of red has a strong positive as well as a negative association. This colour signifies warmth and a lot of energy and can stimulate activity and encourage socialization. Fun and flamboyant orange radiates warmth and energy. Interestingly, some of the tones of orange such as terra cotta, peach or rust have very broad appeal. How the colour orange affects us mentally and physically * Stimulates activity * Stimulates appetite * Encourages socialization The colour Purple This colour is often regarded as the colour that signifies royalty and wealth. It also has a very large feminine appeal to it and is therefore closely associated with romance. It however seems artificial at times. This colour signifies balance and mystical qualities. It can calm the mind and encourage creativity. This dichotomy can cause unrest or uneasiness unless the undertone is clearly defined at which point the purple takes on the characteristics of its undertone. A sense of mystic and royal qualities, purple is a colour often well liked by very creative or eccentric types and is the favourite colour of adolescent girls. How the colour purple affects us mentally and physically * Uplifting * Calming to mind and nerves * Offers a sense of spirituality * Encourages creativity The colour Brown Brown can be seen everywhere in the form of the ground and is an earthy colour thereby implying qualities of dependability. It also symbolizes sadness and wistfulness. Brown can bring about a feeling of connection with everything organic and has a sense of orderliness and stability around it. Brown says stability, reliability, and approachability. It is the colour of our earth and is associated with all things natural or organic. How the colour brown affects us physically and mentally * Feeling of wholesomeness * Stability * Connection with the earth * Offers a sense orderliness The colour Gray Gray is the colour that is most associated with depression of loss. Gray is timeless, practical, and solid. A longstanding favourite suit colour, gray can mix well with any colour. Although well like and often worn, people rarely name gray as a favourite colour possibly because Gray also is associated with loss or depression. How the colour gray affects us physically and mentally * unsettling * expectant When shopping around your clothing you should know which colour to buy and for what reasons. As part of non verbal communication you can communicate to the masses through the colour of your clothes. People should not buy for the sake of buying but should buy for some reasons. We know that there are some colours that are good for women and colours that are good for men. Children also have their special colours be it a baby boy or a baby girl. What is amazing these days is that adults can wear bright colours that are meant for the children which is interesting. This is not a crime because we are living in modern times and culture is not static it is dynamic. When someone is attending some interviews you should ask around the best colours that will not put off the appetite of your prospective employer. Certain professions have certain colours that go along with.