Color Theory

Color Symbolism

Some Western ideas about color and what they can represent when used in artwork

Red: Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate, sincerity, happiness (in Japan)

Pink can symbolize love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm.

Orange: Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.

Yellow can signify joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy,, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.

Green: Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.

Blue: Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.

Turquoise can symbolize calm. 

Teal symbolizes sophistication. 

Aquamarine symbolizes water.

Purple: Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, honor, arrogance, mourning, temperance.

Lavender can symbolize femininity, grace and elegance.

Brown: Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.

Beige and ivory can symbolize unification. Ivory symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. Beige symbolizes calm and simplicity.

Gray: Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.

White: Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical.

Black: Power, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures), detachment.

Some Eastern ideas about color and what they can represent when used in artwork

Green: Eternity, family, harmony, health, peace, posterity

Red: Happiness

Gray: Helpful

White: Children, helpful people, marriage, mourning, peace, purity, travel

Gold: Strength, wealth

Black: evil or sadness

Blue, gold and purple: wealth

Links

Color as Symbol

Color as Emotion