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.
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passion and lust
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anger and aggression
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war and revolution
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fire and flame
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All these emotions spur one to action.
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The red planet Mars is named after the Roman god of war
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Associated with the Root Chakra located at the base of the spine ( our connection with earth )
Yellow: On the good side…
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sun and gold ( metal )
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enlightenment and wisdom
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flowers and warmth
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On the bad side….
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cowardliness
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envy and treachery
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Associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra
Orange: A mix of the first two.
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luxury and splendor
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a renunciation of earthly pleasures—think Buddhist monks garb.
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Associated with the Sacral Chakra (the reproductive organs ).
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In ancient Rome, a bride wore a saffron-colored wrap and an orange veil.
Blue has as many hues as meanings.
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sky and infinity
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the divine—the Egyptian god Amun and Hindu gods, Rama, Shive, and Krishna are blue
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tranquility and reflection
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intellect
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depression
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sexual proclivities—blue movies
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socio-economic status—from blue-collar to blue blood
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In Egypt, blue was the color of truth.
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The Virgin Mary’s blue robe signifies her purity.
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Indigo is the color of the Brow, or Third Eye Chakra of spiritual knowing and intuition.
Green:
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spring and new life
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fertility and nature
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youth and inexperience
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hope and joy
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envy and jealousy and decay
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Recently connected with safeguarding our planet’s resources promoted by the Green Movement
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Color associated with the Heart Chakra.
Purple/Violet:
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royalty and wealth
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luxury
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power—Roman senators were identified by the purple stripe on their togas
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religion—Catholic clergy don purple vestments during Advent and Lent
- associated with the bliss, oneness, serenity, and spiritual wisdom of the Crown Chakra
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temperance—because it’s a mixture of red ( action & hot ) and blue (calm & cool )
Pink:
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femininity
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baby girls
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gay pride
Black:
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evil or darkness
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despair and death and mourning
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mortality
- secrecy
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ill-fortune
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disease
Gray, in its many shades…
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gloom
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anonymity or inconspicuousness or namelessness
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old age
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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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