The emotional effects of colour
Have you ever wondered why the South African flag specifically have those colours? Well, maybe it’s time you understood the impact of colour, how it could creates powerful emotions.
Based on previous experiences or learned behaviour, different people react differently to the same colour. What we wear and our environments has a major impact towards our feelings, thus it is important to use colours that will not have negative impacts on you.
Colours: Black
Black is associated with both bad and good. One common representative is intelligence, and it’s for this reason that you’ll find graduations outfits in black. This colour is mysterious and is usually associated silence or death. Studies have proved that black represents some sort of sadness, this means you should be careful of painting your walls black and wearing too much of it because you may end up depressed. Though it may come as an advantage if you’re a fully figured person, because of it’s potential to make you appear. Black is associated with authority and power, stability and strength, comfort, and could prevent change and progress. It’s easy to overwhelm people with too much black
Colours: White
White is associated with creativity, purity, cleanliness, the safety of bright light, and can represent the absence of colour or neutrality, thus it goes well with any other colour. One of the reasons why wedding dresses and doctor’s gown are white is because it’s colour that encourages goodwill, new beginnings and light. A person who wears white outfits will most often appear bright, and look more presentable. Surround yourself with a lot of white materials so that your mind is triggered to be clear, to be observant, as well as to make your space appear brighter. Most religions from across the world believe in this colour as it’s said to shed light.
Colours: Grey
Too much gray leads to feeling mostly nothing; but a bit of gray will add that rock solid feeling to your life. Some shades of gray are associated with old age, death, taxes, depression, the practical, timeless, middle-of-the-road or a lost sense of direction, solid things in life.
Colours: Red
If you’d to attract attention, use red as it draws people’s eye with just a glance, you may even wear red clothes if you aren’t shy to have people staring at you.
Red is associated with many things, and some of the most obvious signs are love, the heart, blood, emergency, giving, movement, excitement and more.
This is absolutely the wrong colour for a baby’s room as many people tend to experience short breath when they are surrounded by red walls. Wearing red clothes will make you appear a bit heavier and a spot of red in the right place is smart in some cases (for instance, one red accent in a neutral room draws the eye, a red tie with a navy blue suit and white shirts adds just the right amount of energy to draw the eye.
Colours: Blue
Ask people their favourite colour and a clear majority will say blue. Shades of this colour will produce calming chemicals, steadfastness, dependability, and represents wisdom and loyalty. Much of the world is blue (skies, seas), colour theorists have argued that a bright blue sky and yellow daisies make us feel happy, while grey clouds may influence a bad mood. Most bedrooms and bathrooms have shades of blue because it prompts a calm and relaxed environment.
Colours: Green
Dark forest green is associated with terms like conservative, wealth, feeling of comfort, relaxation, as well as help to soothe emotions. Many hospitals use light green wards because they too are found to be calming to patients, though it’s also colour connected with envy, luck, generosity and multiplicity. Whenever you feel a little bit down, take a walk to the park or any other natural environment for some peace, comfortable nurturing, and well paced energy.
Colours: Yellow & Orange
A person surrounded by yellow feels optimistic because this colour stimulates the brain to keep him alert and decisive. Yellow is associated with optimism laughter, happiness and good times, but it’s also the colour of flames; studies show babies tend to cry more in brighter (yellow) rooms.
Similar to orange, this colour will uplift your spirit, and can be overwhelming, though it can be an effective tool in marketing greater sales if utilized sparingly.
However, a dull yellow can bring on feelings of fear and may resemble cowardice.
Colours: Purple
Purple stimulates the brain activity used in problem solving, hence it’s a royal colour used for robes of kings and queens. Use purple most carefully to lend an air of mystery, wisdom, wealth, prosperity, respect, and sophistication. Young adolescent girls are most likely to select nearly all shades of purple as their favourite colour, simply because it’s a rich, thick colour that appears more serious and matured.
South African Flag Colour Facts
There are many theories surrounding the meaning behind the South African flag’s colours, so here is one of the meanings:
Blue; The sky or ocean
Red; Shed blood of activists
White; White Population
Black; Non-white population or Mr Mandela
Yellow; Minerals
Green; Agriculture or land
Article: Tshireletso Malapile