Why Do We Love Some Colours More Than Others? Discover The Psychology Behind It

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Ever walked into a room and instantly felt at ease or, on the flip side, a bit uneasy, all because of the colours around you? Maybe you're drawn to the bold energy of red or the calm of soft grey tones. But why do we have such strong connections to certain colours?

It's not just about our likes, colour psychology suggests that our emotional responses are influenced by the colours we surround ourselves with. So, let's explore why some colours seem to have a magnetic pull on us, and what they really say about our minds and moods.

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The Origin Of Colours

For centuries, people saw colour as a mix of darkness and light-black and white. Aristotle even thought that dark crimson came from black mixed with sunlight or firelight. This idea carried on until the 17th century, when Isaac Newton revolutionised colour theory by splitting white light with a prism, which led him to create the first colour wheel. This wheel formed the basis for the concept of primary colours, now thought of as red, yellow, and blue.

However, Goethe and others disagreed on what counted as primary colours, with Goethe favouring yellow and blue based on how colours felt rather than Newton's scientific approach.

Natural pigments, which often turned muddy when mixed, added to the debate. But when synthetic colours became available, they allowed for cleaner mixing, reviving interest in the colour wheel and fueling a push to standardise colour names and shades as industrialization grew.

In fact, originally the rainbow was seen as having only five colours, but in 1704, Sir Isaac Newton expanded it to seven by adding orange and indigo. He did this partly because he was drawn to the mystical significance of the number seven.

The Psychology Behind Colours

Colour has always held a powerful place in our lives, influencing everything from our emotions to ancient healing and spiritual practices. Although the science of colour psychology is still developing, people have long recognised that colours affect us deeply, often in universal ways.

Warm colours like red, orange, and yellow tend to stir up feelings ranging from cosiness to intensity or even anger. Cool colours like blue, green, and purple, on the other hand, often bring a sense of calm but can also evoke sadness or detachment. Though how we experience colour can be personal, the impact of these hues is something most people can relate to.

Why Certain Colours Are Appealing To A Person

Colour has a big impact on how we feel and experience life, though how we perceive it can vary based on personal experiences. For example, some people might feel comforted by the colour blue, while others might associate it with sadness. While there's some solid evidence that certain colours tend to stir up specific emotions, everyone sees colours a bit differently.

Our eyes have receptors that respond to different light wavelengths, which explains why we all experience colour in unique ways. Past experiences and cultural backgrounds also play a part-someone might feel uneasy around the colour yellow if it reminds them of a past event. Lighting can also affect how we perceive colours.

For example, a warm, orange glow from a lamp can make a space feel cosy, while daylight might make the same colour appear brighter or cooler. The time of day can change how colours look, too.

Although we've made some progress in understanding colour, there's still a lot to learn about why certain colours evoke strong emotions. What's clear, though, is that colour remains a deeply personal experience, shaped by both science and our individual perspectives.

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Symbolic meanings of Colours

Colours carry symbolic meanings that influence our emotions and perceptions, as highlighted in a study on the Application of Colour Psychology in Community Health Environment Design. For instance, red is linked to passion and excitement, while pink feels soft and reserved.

Purple is seen as mysterious and glamorous, blue brings thoughts of wisdom and peace, and green represents nature and growth.

Yellow is associated with hope and joy, but also danger, while orange brings warmth and kindness. White symbolises truth, and black can feel noble yet cold and mysterious. This study shows how colour associations impact how we experience different spaces.

Link Between Colours and Emotions

A 2020 study that surveyed 4,598 people from 30 countries found some interesting emotional associations with colours. For example, 68% of people linked red to love, while 52% associated yellow with joy.

Black was connected to sadness for 51% of respondents, and 43% felt white represented relief. Blue, surprisingly, was linked to relief by 35% of participants, while green was seen as a colour of contentment by 39%.

Other findings showed purple tied to pleasure for 25%, brown evoked disgust for 36%, orange was linked to joy by 44%, and pink was associated with love by 50%. This study highlights how deeply colours are tied to emotions worldwide.

Chromotherapy

Chromotherapy, the use of colours to heal, has been practised by ancient cultures like the Egyptians and Chinese. Known also as light therapy or colourology, it's still used today as an alternative treatment. In this practice, red is used to boost energy and circulation, yellow is thought to stimulate nerves and purify the body, orange is said to help with lung health and energy, blue is believed to soothe pain, and indigo is used for skin problems.

While more research is needed, a 2020 study found that chromotherapy might even help ICU nurses dealing with compassion fatigue and PTSD.

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To sum it up, colour can influence more than just how we feel-it can also affect our performance and the way we're perceived. For example, studies show that seeing the colour red before a test can actually hurt your performance. In one experiment, students who saw a red number before an exam scored more than 20% lower than those who saw black or green numbers.

When it comes to shopping, colour preferences can reveal something about our personalities or the image we want to project. For instance, people who choose a black car might want to seem powerful and mysterious, while someone who picks a yellow car might be seen as more outgoing and risk-taking.
Colour also plays a role in things like age and where we live. Hot climates might lead people to favour lighter-coloured cars, like white, for practical reasons. Overall, our colour choices are influenced by a mix of personality, practicality, and how we want others to see us.