In discussions about the effect of colors on a person, they often refer to symbolic systems in different cultures, and not to data from psychological research. However, it is no coincidence - there are many intersections. CHTD summarized some information about how colors affect our brains.
"Color is a product of light that evokes emotions," asserted Goethe in his "Teaching about Color." It is believed that he was the first to propose a system describing the effect of a color palette on a person. But Goethe, like many other artists and writers, could only rely on his own instinct, on his observations and the traditions of color perception that already existed in culture.
Only in the 20th century, with the development of psychology and experimental methods for studying higher nervous activity, a scientific basis for analyzing the influence of color waves appeared. Despite the large number of experiments and tests, the effect of the colors of the world around us on our emotional state remains a mystery.
As stated in the modern monograph "Color and Psyche", the influence of color on emotions occurs on several levels. In general, bright colors are stimulating and active, while faded and dark colors are inhibitory and calming. But addiction to them and their impact is very dependent on the circumstances and individual personality traits.
Influence of white
The African Ndembu tribe has an expression "to have a white liver", that is, to be understandable, not to contemplate anything bad, not to pose a danger. Our language also reflects the attitude towards white as something pure and good: “white salary”, “white light”, “white bone”, “white envy”.
Anthropologists cite two main reasons for this perception of white. Firstly, we are all familiar with the change of day and night, when the sense of danger and fear of darkness replaces the clarity of the visible world. Secondly, white is the color of the two most important human fluids that give life - milk and seminal.
Science has found confirmation of traditional interpretations: white stimulates the ability to be active.
However, this refers to white as the highest manifestation of all light and bright. Shadeless blank white is not so unambiguous. Kazimir Malevich, conducting experiments with color, came to the conclusion that the abundance of white puts pressure on the psyche, and proposed to abandon it as a color for hospital walls and doctor's gowns.
The influence of black
Black is the ancient antipode of white. Whatever our style of clothing and interior design, it is more difficult for us to tune in to work if it is overcast and dark, gloomy tones prevail.
Black as the darkest possible evokes associations with death, chaos and destruction. But the passivity and peace of the black may be necessary for a person who is overexcited or tired - as night is necessary after day.
Primitive people had an ambiguous attitude towards black. Sometimes black symbolized the source of hidden wisdom, as well as passion: women of the same Ndembu tribe, for example, blacken their genitals. Among the tribes of the arid regions of Africa, black was revered as the color of rain clouds, and people with especially black hair were considered more beautiful than others.
Influence of red
Red is the third most important color in traditional symbolism. It is undoubtedly primarily associated with blood. Since blood serves as a symbol of both death and life, red has never been categorized as unambiguously bad or unambiguously good. Red and yellow, as the brightest colors, have been proven to stimulate vitality and stimulate activity. Extroverts tend to prefer this color.
The nervous system of a rested and recovered person, ready for intense activity, is interested in red.
But do not rush to make scarlet the main one in the interior. The activity of red can be unhealthy in nature, its prolonged exposure is fraught with overexcitation. They do not like red, like other bright colors, those who are in emotional stress and frustration. It can increase muscle tension, increase blood pressure, and speed up breathing.
Interestingly, this is the most favorite color of children, regardless of the country and culture in which a person grows up. Bright colors act like vitamins on a child, and their absence can even cause a painful condition called "color deprivation" and lead to neuropsychic disorders.
The fear of the dark may not be due to the fact that the child does not want to be where there is no light, but to the lack of bright colors in his life.
Influence of blue
In many ancient cultures, blue was considered an attribute of the gods, the sky and a symbol of contemplation. This mythology is echoed by the avant-gardist, who described blue as a paint calling to infinity.
The scientific evidence says nothing about the mysticism of blue, but supports its characteristics as a relaxant.
The blue-dominated interior works especially well for those who need relaxation. The psyche, which is in a state of struggle, needs colors of blue-green gamut for balance, and in a state of rest, on the contrary, it needs active red-yellows. Long-term exposure to blue leads to inhibition and depression, sadness and boredom.
Influence of green
Oddly enough, but such an important color for nature and life, like green, never entered the main set of symbolic colors of the primitive world. True, it is believed that he was one of the favorite flowers of the ancient Egyptians. But the ancient Chinese did not consider it a separate paint at all, but perceived it as a variant of blue. Appearing in the symbolism of the peoples of the world later, he was often perceived as neutral, not calling for anything.
Kandinsky considered the green color of the passive and philistine bourgeoisie.
Today, living in cities and experiencing stress due to our isolation from nature, we often associate greenery with harmony, spring, and youth. Like blue, it lives up to some of its traditional characteristics as a soothing color; it is really preferred by people who need rest, under its influence activity decreases. Interestingly, with age, color sympathies are redistributed towards calm blue-green, brown and olive shades.
Effect of yellow
Yellow in different periods symbolized a variety of things - from fame and enlightenment to parting and debt. The traditional symbolism of yellow is quite different from red, but in their effect on our mood, these colors are very close.
Yellow invigorates, tones, warms, stimulates the activity of the central nervous system and mental processes.
Calm, self-confident people who do not suffer from emotional stress have a special inclination towards the bright yellow color. For children, it is the second most popular color after red.
Kandinsky considered yellow to be an earthy color, because it cannot be made deeper, unlike blue. But the shades of yellow are very different in how we perceive them. Pure yellow is pleasant, cold tones were associated with gray and acquired negative connotations; they were associated with insanity.
Studies carried out with schizophrenic patients found no connection between yellow and the disease. True, exposure to certain colors, and in particular yellow, can enhance the vegetative properties of stress. Putting a yellow screen in front of a person suffering from nausea can induce vomiting. This effect is felt like a punch to the stomach.
Influence of pink
Pink can be described as light red, which means that it evokes positive, but not too intense emotions like light joy, carelessness. "Rose-colored glasses" is the expression that best describes the effect of pink. It reconciles a little, invigorates a little, refreshes a little, reminds of passion, but nothing more.
Popular culture of the 20th century turned pink into a symbol of girls and women, tenderness and "kawaii". The prerequisites for this existed in ancient Rome, where it was believed that pink is associated with sensitivity and emotions. But pink was not always seen as an exclusively feminine color. According to Goethe, young women prefer light shades - pink and blue. In general, shades of red were more likely related to men and were an attribute of strength and power.
Color therapy (chromotherapy) is the treatment of the nervous system with color. At different periods of his life, a person has a particular preference in the color of clothing, interior, etc. Most likely, you have noticed this on yourself. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that people, on a subconscious level, strive for tones that match their mood, will help recharge their energy and get rid of the disease.
Color especially strongly affects the fair sex. Women have more developed visual receptors responsible for color perception than men. Therefore, different tones affect their emotions differently.
History of color therapy
The fact of the influence of color on the human psyche and his attitude was noticed by the healers of previous eras. They knew and actively applied the knowledge of color in the treatment of patients. An example of this can be the medicinal drink tinted with herbs, used in the time of Avicenna, or stones painted in different colors, applied to sore spots in Paracelsus. In ancient times, inflamed skin areas in infectious diseases in Russia were treated with the imposition of a piece of red tissue, and in case of hepatitis, the patient was put on yellow beads. Science and medicine are moving forward with leaps and bounds, and we can still see the red thread tying a sore joint. Today, all these methods bring a smile, but still it is impossible to exclude the influence of color on a person. The human psyche, his perception of the surrounding reality and mood - these are the areas where color therapy has received real recognition.
The first information about the influence of color on the human psyche reaches us from ancient China, India and Egypt. During excavations in Egypt, special rooms were discovered, where, according to scientists, color therapy sessions were carried out. Doctors of those times knew that the blue color had a calming effect on the human psyche, so a very excited person was placed in a room where the color of the desired color prevailed. 
The influence of color on the human psyche
Color therapy is actively used today. It is impossible to deny the influence on the mood of certain colors of clothing, interior. One color can relax, calm, inspire. Another color is panic or annoying.
This is due to the fact that different colors are able to stimulate different areas of the brain and the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the production of hormones that regulate metabolism, sleep, appetite, sex drive and emotional stability. Therefore, we are very dependent on the colors that surround us. If you put even an incorrigible optimist for a long time in a room in which there is not a single bright detail, but only gray and black tones, his mood will inevitably become depressed.
Every person is different. But general trends can be identified. Knowledge about color is systematized and actively used. They form the basis of the test created by Max Luscher in 1923 for the psychodiagnostics of a person.
How do different colors affect the human psyche? What will color therapy tell? Let's take a look at the most common colors.
Influence of white
The perception of white differs among people of different cultures and religions. For representatives of one culture, white is a symbol of purity and sinlessness, for others it is associated with mourning. The Slavs are characterized by the perception of white as the color of goodness and chastity. Hence the roots of the expression "white light" and the snow-white dress of the bride. White color inspires complacency, calms and gives strength.
If you have to wear dark clothes all day and want to get rid of negative thoughts and everyday worries, when you come home, put on light clothes.
The influence of black
Its perception is also ambiguous. “Seeing the world in black” is a widely used saying and it says a lot. The color of darkness, evil spirits or peace and grace? A lot here depends on the individual characteristics of a person, which the color therapist needs to find out.
As a rule, this color is responsible for organization and appearance. As you know from physics lessons, it absorbs the entire color spectrum, so it includes all the healing qualities of all colors. But despite this, you should not abuse it in clothing and interior design, as it can lead to a bad mood and depression.
Influence of red
It is noticed that the red color excites the psyche, causes an accelerated heartbeat and even the activation of muscle activity. The color is warm and invigorating. An excess of red is not recommended for irritable people and those who are overweight, because it can easily excite the nervous system and cause fatigue.
Influence of blue
Rest color. Calms the nervous system before going to bed, relieves excessive nervousness and agitation. Color therapy uses blue to relieve the painful condition of hypochondriacs and melancholic people. It has a positive effect on taming the appetite.
Influence of blue color
The color of the water element. The color of lightness and weightlessness. Will be a good helper in relieving fatigue after a hard day. It has a positive effect on patients with hypotension. But still, an excess of blue can lead to cooling and alienation in the relationship of loving people. Like blue, it is an appetite-suppressing color.
Effect of yellow
The effect of yellow on a person is completely opposite to the effect of blue. It will be much easier to feed a child who eats poorly and at the same time delivers a lot of trouble from yellow dishes, because yellow is an excellent appetite stimulant. Yellow color and all its shades tone up the nervous system, can raise a person's self-esteem and stimulate mental abilities. It is worth taking note of this for those who are going to make repairs in the nursery or student's room.
Influence of green
Life-affirming color. Associated with, youth, freshness. Able to calm and pacify. Color therapy recommends using it for people experiencing great psycho-emotional and visual stress. All shades of green have a beneficial effect on the ability to concentrate. However, dark shades of green can be overwhelming and even provoking.
Influence of brown
The color of stability. Light shades of brown create a sense of security, while dark brown light brings comfort and warmth. Excessive brown color can lead to mild melancholy.
Influence of orange
The effect of orange on the psyche is similar to the effect of red. It will help you to relax, invigorate and help create a good mood.
Influence of pink
Tune in a romantic mood. Associated with insecurity and naivety. In large quantities, pink is likely to quickly cause fatigue and frustration, so it should not be overused.
Color therapy in the interior
1. To raise the vitality, it is recommended to use bright yellow or orange light. You can also put a green lampshade in your home. Choose large-sized furniture and accessories in calm pastel colors: light yellow, light green, blue. They are soothing and non-irritating to the eyes.
2. To increase energy, mood and optimism, color therapy advises to put plants with bright flowers (red, orange) on the windowsill, hang a picture of nature (mountains, sun, sea, flowers) on the wall.
3. Do not put lilac and blue furniture in rooms, as they can cause lethargy and apathy. But for the bedroom, they are perfect - they will calm you down and help you fall asleep quickly.
Blues, prolonged psycho-emotional stress, physical fatigue are a great reason to try the effect of color therapy on yourself. The results will surprise and delight you.
Have you noticed the influence of color on yourself?
The influence of flowers on the human psyche was noticed in ancient times by various shamans, healers and sorcerers. They can cause joy and grief, bring comfort or irritation, with amazing capabilities.
Colorful life
Each person noticed the effect of color when they put on a red jumper, drawing the eyes of those around them. For Western society, people dressed in black will look gloomy, but the bride's snow-white dress speaks of the solemn moment and the purity of the event. If you are interested in the psychological impact of color, then you will find answers to many questions in the presented article.
Why is this happening?
Everything that is incomprehensible attracts a person, stirring up cognitive interest. The influence of colors on the human psyche is due to the emission of electromagnetic waves by each color. These waves, due to their length, have different effects. They have healing properties, since we not only see color with our eyes, but also feel electromagnetic radiation with our skin. By choosing the "right" colors specifically for themselves, a person can feel healthier and more cheerful.
The psychological effect of color is that it is a kind of "emotional food", and, accordingly, in order to function normally, our body needs different shades in different proportions. They can help restore a person's mental balance and even some aspects of physical health. Food, clothing items, make-up, surrounding furniture affect the human condition. Thanks to many studies, we now know a sufficient amount of information about the effect of color on the human psyche. In this regard, you can combine tones and improve mood and overall well-being.
What will red and yellow tell us?
Elements of the surrounding world of red color cause excitement in the psyche and are a kind of compulsion to activity. Thanks to him, muscles are strained and movements are accelerated, and this leads to an increase in efficiency.
People are more productive when they are in a room with red lighting. But over time, as the body adapts to this shade, the level of performance drops, and problem solving becomes more difficult. This is due to color fatigue.
If you need to overcome difficulties, be more decisive and resilient, then we advise you to use red in your life.
To stimulate the activity of the brain, awaken intellectual capabilities, increase the level of vision perception, use yellow. Contraindications: neuralgia and overexcitation of the cortex. Well, if you are accompanied by disappointment and grief, then yellow will do just right.
What are green and blue for?
The color of spring greenery ensures the normalization of blood and eye pressure, respiration, pulse, increasing the acuity of perception, concentration of attention and intellectual potential. If you want calmness, relaxation and rest - feel free to use green, because it is he who will give you what you need. The impact of color plays a huge role in our daily life.
The deep blue color, constantly affecting the psyche, can lead to high levels of fatigue or even depression in some cases. But if a strong shock happened to you, then this color can restore strength. It will reduce tension in muscle tissue, dull pain sensations, weaken the pulse, and soothe spontaneous impulses in an ardent personality.
Influence of purple, blue and brown
The color purple has a contradictory effect on a person's condition, as it can both increase endurance and reduce performance, suppress intellectual capabilities, or even lead to depressive states.
Use blue clothes to reduce anxiety, blood pressure and pain. But do not overdo it, because the long-term influence of this color leads to fatigue and suppression of some of the functional capabilities of the human body.
Brown tells us about the need for relaxation, bodily comfort. Therefore, if you feel such needs, then think about how to bring this color into your life and distract a little from the work moments.
Contrast of black and white
Lovers of white are characterized by the need for freedom, the breaking of burdensome ties and the desire to start from scratch. If you want to forget something and free yourself from the shackles of memory, surround yourself with white.
Black tone characterizes a person who rebel against his own destiny. This color has important healing properties, as it absorbs other shades and has a rather positive effect on the body.
By identifying your color preferences, their persistence or variability, you will be able to recognize your own emotional and physical reactions, general well-being and mood.
The influence of color on the psyche of children
Children are constantly surrounded by different colors, they get to know the world, and one should be smart about the color scheme of children's rooms, furniture, toys and clothes. There is no doubt that the influence of color on the psyche of a child is one of the most pressing issues for young parents. According to Norwegian scientists, young children who are registered with the internal affairs bodies, or juvenile criminals, opted for black. People who have suicidal tendencies also choose this tone.
The influence of colors on the psyche of a person, especially a small one, is based on several principles. Firstly, the daily life of a baby should be filled with a large number of different shades, one thing is important - their competent combination.
Secondly, the walls and ceiling in the child's room should be either white or light, but not dark in any way, since this will affect both the emotional state of the baby and his cognitive abilities.
Thirdly, use blue, and it will help save you and your baby from stressful influences, relieve pain.
Fourthly, green shades and blue-white colors will provide you with a stable state of the nervous system. Green taken separately can regulate pressure and relieve fatigue.
Fifth, psychologists argue that the influence of color on the psyche is also expressed in the effect on the development of speech. Therefore, association games will become relevant in the period from one to three years (for example, strawberry-red, sun-yellow).
Sixth, if your little one has lethargy, poor appetite, lethargy and mood swings, then using red, yellow and orange colors will help you.
Knowing the subtleties of the color effect, parents, educators will be able to stabilize the mood, if necessary, then calm down or cheer.
Some color tricks
To feel the influence of colors on the human psyche, you do not need to put on things of only one tone, because a stylish scarf or red bag will already make changes and increase your life potential. The main thing is to put emphasis. You can "scatter" bright elements in the room, such as pillows or toys, and then the energy of color will fill the room.
Light bulbs or lamps of different colors can be used in the living room or bedroom. Colorful stickers for window panes have a similar effect, because not everyone can afford multicolored stained-glass windows.
Scientists advise changing the color of the bedroom, if you have a bad sleep, to calm shades (soft purple, pink, light blue).
Yellow sunflowers and an orange dress will perfectly cheer you up and work. A wonderful option for filling everyday life with bright colors is decorative crystals and jewelry made from precious (or not so) stones.
Having received such information at your disposal, knowing your needs, you can make bouquets that will emit exactly the colors that you need. To make yourself feel light after a meal, add more colored foods as they are easier to digest.
Also, with the help of color, you can send signals to the people around you, so use cosmetics (varnishes, shadows, lipsticks) wisely. At home, you can use lavender or geranium aromatic oils, because they emit blue and red, respectively.
Conclusion
The above information is quite useful, because the influence of color on the psyche is enormous. And if your mood is spoiled or feeling unwell, you can easily adjust it with the help of the influence of colors, bright and rich or pale and calm.
For example, the mood is "below the baseboard" - and you subconsciously dress in black. There is a holiday in the heart - and more and more bright things appear in the wardrobe.Interesting: in European culture, white is a symbol of purity, and black is evil. In Africa, the opposite is true. As usual, the Japanese also freak out - they have their own understanding of colors.
But we will focus on the interpretation that is closest to us. Remember the children's "Every hunter wants to know where the pheasant sits"? When introspection, it is quite possible to rely on these colors, complementing the range with white, black and gray.
By the way, if possible, take the Luscher color test. He's amazing ...
The influence of color on the human psyche
The very idea of \u200b\u200bthe influence of color on the human psyche is not new, and many psychologists unanimously argue that colors affect the human psyche not only through vision but also through the skin.
So, for example, if you are in a room with a blood-red hue, even with a blindfold, you will feel how your heart will beat noticeably faster, you will begin to feel excitement, and if you go to a room in blue tones, your pulse will slow down, you will immediately feel relaxed ...
But back to the influence of colors on the mood and state of a person.
Influence of red
Red is the color of energy. The color of victory, strength, passion. Gives warmth, confidence, energy. If you like dressing in red, then you are a temperamental person ready to fight.
Influence of orange
Orange is passion and success. Orange color infects with cheerfulness, courage, spiritual energy. Orange is a color that helps to cheer up.
Effect of yellow
Yellow - intelligence, wisdom. Relaxes, instills optimism, tones the brain, promotes successful mental activity. It instills a good mood, but causes irritability in excess.
Influence of green
Green - renewal, harmony. The color of calmness, good luck, openness to new things. The color of life itself, rapid growth and flowering. Green helps to restore strength, improve health,.
Influence of blue
Blue - confidence, calmness. Blue is often referred to as cold. We'll call it chilling, like the cool shade on a hot day. Now everything is blue, especially in computer interfaces. This is how designers try to make the product enjoyable.
Influence of purple
Purple is mysticism. There is something mysterious about purple. It looks like an artificial one, although it is found in nature.
Influence of white
White is purity. It is the color of truth, divine powers, truth and innocence. Its solemnity sets up a lyrical mood and gives moral strength.
The influence of black
Black is usually a negative color. In clothes, he is chosen by people who want to emphasize their strength or hide their weakness.
Even if you like black, don't panic, but seek the advice of a psychologist. Perhaps you should in life.
The influence of color on the psyche of men and women
And you also need to understand that men distinguish and know 30% less colors than women. So if you suddenly decide to impress your man with the brilliant coloring of the picture or the paint you have chosen for repair, it is quite possible that he will not be able to appreciate your efforts, not because he does not love you or does not appreciate your efforts, but simply because he does not see the difference between pumpkin and peach.
Let your life be a bright rainbow!