Across every continent and in every culture, colour dominates and permeates our lives. Few of us realise this and in our fast-moving world we are constantly bombarded by colour, yet many of us have lost touch with its meanings. Colour surrounds us, feeding and nourishing our senses. We see it, feel it and absorb it. Our minds, bodies and spirits are profoundly affected by it.
Our bodies are stimulated and energised by some colours, or calmed and relaxed by others. Mentally and emotionally, colour works on a deep level; changing our mood and our sense of well being, as well as others' perception of us.
Spiritually too, colour is of immense significance. Employed in religious ritual throughout time, colour is the language of the soul. From the saffron robes of Tibetan Buddhist monks and the royal blue of the Virgin Mary's cloak in Christianity, to the black and white worn to represent death, birth and renewal the world over, the beliefs that colour symbolize are communicated with an extraordinary immediacy which words can never match.
We humans are not the only creatures on this planet who are affected by colour. In the animal and plant worlds colour can mean survival or extinction. Colour is used to attract, camouflage, ward off danger and send sexual signals. Colour is intrinsic to life and it is as important to us as in the plant and animal kingdoms. It is a lost language we must relearn for our own health, happiness and well being.
Red Red is a powerful colour that has always been associated with vitality and ambition. It can help overcome negative thoughts. Red is the most physical of all colours. It is the colour of blood and has a stimulating action on our heart and circulation; red light will raise the blood pressure. Our body system is fortified by red; it stimulates the adrenal glands, helping us to become strong and build up our stamina. Red: power, prosperity, ambition, vitality, courageous, assertive, anti-depressant. We use Red as our Corporate Brand colour, a colour which is particularly important in Asia.
OrangeOrange is a warm, joyous colour. It frees and releases emotions, stimulates the mind, renewing interest in life. It is a wonderful anti-depressant and lifts the spirits. Orange: fun, uplifting, glowing, creative, stimulating, laughter, joy, humour. We use Orange as the brand colour for our Isowarm range of under floor heating systems.
Yellow Yellow is also a happy, bright and uplifting colour, a celebration of sunny days. It is associated with the intellectual side of the brain and stimulates our ability to think clearly, make decisions and assists our memory. It also helps good organisation, assimilation of new ideas and the ability to see different points of view. It builds self-confidence and encourages an optimistic attitude. Yellow wavelengths of light stimulate the brain, making you alert, clear headed and decisive. Yellow: happy, uplifting, light, bright, mentally stimulating, optimistic, and logical. We use yellow as the brand colour for our Peran range of decorative floor finishes for commercial environments.
Green Green has a strong affinity with nature, helping us connect and empathise with others and the natural world. We instinctively seek it when under stress or experiencing emotional trauma. Green creates a feeling of comfort and relaxation, calmness and space, lessening stress, balancing and soothing the emotions. Green brings physical equilibrium and relaxation. It has a balancing quality. Green: peaceful, natural, free, contented, mentally and physically relaxing, calming. We use green as the brand colour for our Isocrete range of early drying floor screeds
Blue Blue is a cool, calming colour. It represents the night, so makes us feel calm and relaxed as if we are being soothed by the deep blue of the night sky. Light and soft blues make us feel quiet and protected from all the bustle and activity of the day. Blue: soothing, cooling, calming, relaxing, peace, tranquillity. We use shades of blue for our range of Industrial Floor Finishes Flowguard, Flowshield and Ultrafresh as well as Deckshield, our Car Park Deck Waterproofing systems.
Purple Purple is a powerful psychic colour associated with the right side of the brain, therefore stimulating intuition and imagination. Purple is also connected with artistic and musical impulses, mystery and sensitivity to beauty, stimulating creativity, inspiration, sensitivity, spirituality and compassion. People attracted to purple have to guard against living in a fantasy world. Purple: spiritual, creative, intuitive, medative, mystical, inspirer of beauty, artistic. We use purple for our Mondeco range of seamless terrazzo.
White The colour of ultimate purity is white. It is an all around colour of protection, bringing peace and comfort, alleviating emotional shock and despair, helping cleanse emotions, thoughts and spirit. If you need time and space to reflect on your life, white can give you a feeling of freedom and uncluttered openness. Too much white however can be cold and isolating because white separates us from other people. White: purity, virginity, peacefulness, cold.
Black Black is associated with silence, the infinite, uncharted and mysterious. Black can also prevent us from growing and changing. We often cloak ourselves in black to hide from the world. Black: restrictive, protective, mysterious, death,
Grey Associated with independence, self-reliance and self-control, grey acts as a shield from outside influence. However grey generally has a negative feeling associated with fog, clouds and smoke. Grey is the colour of evasion and non-commitment since it is neither black nor white. It relates to walling everything off, remaining separate, uncommitted and uninvolved. Grey: separating, independent, lonely.
Gold Like yellow, gold is associated with the sun and is therefore related to abundance and power, higher ideals, wisdom and understanding. It is mentally revitalising, energising and inspiring. It can also help to fight against fear and uncertainty. Gold: Abundance, wisdom, understanding, high ideals.
Brown The colour of Mother Earth, brown brings a sense of stability, alleviating insecurity.
Brown: Nurturing, supportive, earthy.
Silver Silver is the colour of the moon, which is ever changing. It balances, harmonises and is mentally cleansing. Silver: Balancing, harmonising, sensitive.
This is just a short introduction on the psychology of colour. At Flowcrete we are passionate about colour and eager to assist you in any way possible to assist you with the best colour for your project.
