Color Symbolism Chart
Color |
Symbolism |
|
Red |
Excitement,
energy, passion, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, love,
aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, aggression,
all things intense and passionate. |
|
Yellow |
Joy,
happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine,
summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, betrayal,
jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard. |
|
Blue |
Peace,
tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth,
confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order,
loyalty, sky, water, cold, technology, depression, appetite
suppressant. |
|
Orange |
Energy,
balance, warmth, enthusiasm, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant,
demanding of attention. |
|
Green |
Nature,
environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor,
spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy,
misfortune. |
|
Purple |
Royalty,
spirituality, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious,
transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance,
mourning. |
|
Gray |
Security,
reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity,
solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring |
|
Brown |
Earth,
hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance,
stability, simplicity, and comfort. |
|
White |
Reverence,
purity, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision,
innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, sterility,
marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold,
clinical, sterile. |
|
Black |
Power,
sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth,
mystery, fear, evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style,
evil, sadness, remorse, anger, underground, good technical
color, mourning, death (Western cultures). |
Color Symbolism 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 |
|
|
Brown |
Colombia
- discourages sales. |
|
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. |
|
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