Color My World

From “Love is Blue”  crooned by Frank Sinatra
to “My World is Blue” by White Trash Clan
to “Yellow” sung by Coldplay
to “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree” performed by Tony Orlando
to “It’s Not Easy Being Green” croaked by Kermit the Frog

color is attached to a spectrum of emotions. Savvy writers know they can use color to symbolize, reveal, and add irony to their text. Color symbolism is fraught with ambiguity and duality, making it a vibrant way to add complexity.

Warm colors like yellow, red, and orange are considered stimulating.
The cool colors of blue, indigo, violet are soothing and peaceful.

Although cultural variations exist, color symbolism is universal.

Red: A dual-tinted mix.


 passion and lust


anger and aggression


war and revolution


fire and flame


All these emotions spur one to action.


The red planet Mars is named after the Roman god of war


Associated with the Root  Chakra located at the base of the spine ( our connection with earth )


Yellow: On the good side…


sun and gold ( metal )


 enlightenment and wisdom


flowers and warmth


On the bad side….


cowardliness


envy and treachery


Associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra


Orange: A mix of the first two.


luxury and splendor


a renunciation of earthly pleasures—think Buddhist monks garb.


Associated with the Sacral Chakra (the reproductive organs ).


In ancient Rome, a bride wore a saffron-colored wrap and an orange veil.


Blue has as many hues as meanings.


sky and infinity


the divine—the Egyptian god Amun and Hindu gods, Rama, Shive, and Krishna are blue


tranquility and reflection


intellect


depression


sexual proclivities—blue movies


socio-economic status—from blue-collar to blue blood


 In Egypt, blue was the color of truth.


The Virgin Mary’s blue robe signifies her purity.


Indigo is the color of the Brow, or Third Eye Chakra  of spiritual knowing and intuition.


Green:


spring  and new life


fertility and nature


youth and inexperience


hope and joy


envy and jealousy and decay


Recently connected with safeguarding our planet’s resources promoted by the Green Movement


Color associated with the Heart Chakra.


Purple/Violet:


royalty and wealth


luxury


power—Roman senators were identified by the purple stripe on their togas


religion—Catholic clergy don purple vestments during Advent and Lent

associated with the bliss, oneness, serenity, and spiritual wisdom of the Crown Chakra

temperance—because it’s a mixture of red  ( action & hot ) and blue (calm & cool )


Pink:


 femininity


baby girls


 gay pride


Black:


evil or darkness


despair and death and mourning


mortality

secrecy

ill-fortune


disease


Gray, in its many shades…


gloom


anonymity or inconspicuousness or namelessness


old age


uncertainty and unreliability and risk


White:

purity and innocence—brides and those being baptized are clothed in white
goodness
holiness
In China, Japan and India, white is associated with death and mourning.
 surrender and peace

Have fun adding some color to your novel!

Related Links:  Rock Your Writing; Symbolism & more symbols;
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