An Integral Theory of Colours

Colours result from wavelengths of light as they are seen by the eye.  When one investigates the world of colours, however, one soon discovers that there is far more to colour than that which meets the eye.

The fact that colours have been found to influence body, mind and spirit has given rise to many theories of colour.  When one examines these theories, it becomes apparent that most of them focus on a particular quadrant.  If an integral theory of colour is to exist, it must of necessity include all these theories.

In this essay I will attempt to give a brief summary of eight theories of colour, showing their focus in the four quadrants.

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Colour and the body’s physiology:

Scientists have proved that colours can influence our body’s physiology.  In one study the colour environment of 14 handicapped children was altered, resulting in a measurable change in blood pressures as well as a decrease in aggressive behaviours.

Colours stimulate the nervous system and cause various hormonal releases.

Here are some of the effects of colour on our physiology:

RED:                Red enhances metabolism, increases respiration rate and raises blood pressure.

ORANGE:         Orange increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an invigorating effect and stimulates mental activity.

YELLOW:         Yellow stimulates mental activity and generates muscle energy.

GREEN:            Green has great healing power.  It is the most restful colour for the human eye and can improve vision.

BLUE:               Blue slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect.

Colour and Image:

The first colour and image consultant can be said to be Michel  Eugene Chevreul (1786-1889).  While attempting to introduce the yellow used in a plain yellow curtain to a carpet he was designing, he discovered that once in the carpet the yellow appeared different to the eye.  It had been influenced by the colours alongside it.

His fascination with this concept led him to do research on clothing and hair colour.  His conclusion was that any colour worn next to the face, (and this includes hair colour) would affect the appearance of the colour of the skin.  His theory of colours led to the business of image consulting as we know it today.

“Seasonal” colour analysis places individual colouring into the categories of Winter, Summer (cool colouring), Spring and Autumn (warm colouring).

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Colour and Advertising:

The effect of colour and colour combinations on the human psyche has not escaped the notice of those marketing and advertising their products.

Their theories of colour usually contain the following information:

RED:                Red brings text and images to the foreground.  It stimulates people to make quick decisions and to “buy now”.  It evokes erotic feeling, and because it is associated with enery can be used to promote energy drinks and items associated with physical action.

ORANGE:         Orange has very high visibility and so can be used to catch attention and highlight important elements of a design.

YELLOW:         Yellow is an attention getter.  Most taxi cabs are painted this colour. When placed against black it is seen before other colours and therefore this combination is often used to issue a warning.  It evokes pleasant, cheerful feelings and is often used to promote items related to leisure and children’s’ products.

GREEN:            Related directly to nature, green is used to promote “green” products.  It indicates safety when advertising drugs and medical products.

BLUE:               Associated with the colour of the sky and the sea, blue is often used to promote products such as water purification filters and air conditioners. Linked to consciousness and intellect blue suggests precision when promoting high tech products.  Because blue suppresses appetite it is avoided when promoting food and cooking.

PURPLE:           It is estimated that almost 75% of pre-adolescent children have purple as their favourite colour.  Bright purple is mostly used to promote children’s products.

WHITE:            The colour of snow, white has the association of coolness and cleanliness.  It is used to suggest simplicity.  As it is often associated with hospitals, white can be used to suggest safety when promoting medical products.

BLACK:             Black is mostly used for contrast.

Colour and Business Logo:

Considering colour when deciding on business logo is obviously of the utmost importance as the use of the wrong colour could create the wrong perception of your company. 

Colour must also be considered when designing brochures, business cards and uniforms.

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Colour and Culture:

The meaning of colours can vary according to cultures.  The experience of the observer influences how colour is perceived.  A white flag means surrender, but if you have never seen war, the colour is insignificant.  White in the west is associated with innocence, whereas in many Eastern cultures it is associated with death.

Colours are often combined to signify meaning in a particular culture.  For example, in the western world, red and green are associated with Christmas, and black and orange represent Halloween.

Many large brand name companies are associated with their corporate colour, for example Red and Coca-Cola.

Colour and Africa:

In parts of Africa it is believed that there are five main colours: red, blue/black, yellow, white and green depicting fire, water, earth, mineral and nature respectively.  No distinction is made between blue and black. All other colours are said to fall into these five colours. The colours have the following associations:

RED:                Helping people connect with the ancestors and Spirit.

BLUE:               Peacemaking and reconciliation.

YELLOW:         Nurturing, care-taking, empowering and grounding.

WHITE:            Communication and the conveying of energy.

GREEN:            Joy and laughter and coming to your true self.        

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Colour and The Aura:

When it comes to subtle energy, the aura of each individual is said to have a predominant colour which reveals something about that individual.

RED:                Passion and competitiveness

ORANGE:         optimism and confidence

GREEN:            love, peace and harmony

YELLOW:         creativity and mental abilities

PINK:                kindness and spirituality

BLUE:               thoughtfulness, idealism and spiritual knowledge

PURPLE:           humanitarianism and psychic abilities

WHITE:            connection with the Divine

GOLD:              higher knowledge and visionary abilities

SILVER:            potential and idealism.

GREY:              keeping a low profile

BROWN:          practicality and solidity

BLACK:             transformation or camouflage

Kadinsky’s colour circle:

In the early 1900’s Kadinsky came to the realization that a painting can abandon representation by addressing the mind of the viewer and not only the eye. Turning to the teachings of the East he learnt that colours can address hidden areas of the mind and appeal to an intuition which is far beyond the world of the senses.

His colour circle was made up on three pairs:

yellow-blue

red-green

orange-violet. 

Two poles, black and white, frame the circle.  He is said to have spoken of “the simple colours between birth and death”.

In the book “Concerning the Spiritual in Art”, Kadinsky wrote, “If one allows blue to influence the soul... it will draw man towards the infinite, arousing in him a nostalgia for the Pure and the ultimate supersensibility;” “absolute green is the most restful colour there is...: it asks for nothing, it attracts nothing;” “white also influence our soul (psyche) like a deep silence, absolute within us.”

Colour was used with the objective of “refining the human soul”.

Other artists were following the same path.  Malevich, who created “Black Square on a White Ground” wrote, “What an absurd doctrine to believe that our eyes know how to see!” Matisse in 1908 declared that colours acted like a “cerebral sedative.”

As you go about your day, attempt to become particularly mindful of colours. Take note of the colours in nature, buildings, your home, shops and clothing. Notice the subtleties of various shades.  Make yourself mindful of the fact that colour tetra-arises, influencing you in all four quadrants. 

Enjoy colour!