Written on the 16 October 2006 by <a href="http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/color/a/symbolism.htm">Jacci Howard Bear</a>
Colors are more than a combination of red and blue or yellow and black. They are non-verbal communication. Colors have symbolism and color meanings that go beyond ink. As you design brochures, logos, and Web sites, it is helpful to keep in mind how the eye and the mind perceive certain colors and the color meanings we associate with each color.
Sometimes colors create a physical reaction (red has been shown to raise blood pressure) and at other times it is a cultural reaction (in the U.S. white is for weddings, in some Eastern cultures, white is the color for mourning and funerals). Colors follow trends as well. Avocado, a shade of green, is synomous with the 60s and 70s in the minds of some consumers.
In addition to understanding color meanings, it helps with mixing and matching colors to know the relationship of adjacent, complementary, and clashing colors.
Complementary colors are separated by another color on the color wheel. Complementary colors printed side by side can cause visual vibration making them a less than desirable combination. However, separate them on the page with other colors and they can work together.
Clashing or contrasting colors are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. Despite the name, colors that clash are not always a bad combination if used carefully. They provide great contrast and high visibility.
The following information is about particular colors that have been categorized into groups according their particular characteristics. The groups are:
Cool colors tend to have a calming effect. At one end of the spectrum they are cold, impersonal, antispectic colors. At the other end the cool colors are comforting and nurturing. Blue, green, and the neutrals white, gray, and silver are examples of cool colors.
In nature blue is water and green is plant life - a natural, life-sustaining duo. Combine blues and greens for natural, watery color palettes. Heat up a too cool color palette with a dash of warm colors such as red or orange. If you want warmth with just a blue palette, choose deeper blues with a touch of red but not quite purple or almost black deep navy blues.
Cool colors appear smaller than warm colors and they visually recede on the page so red can visually overpower and stand out over blue even if used in equal amounts.
The profiles for each of these cool colors include descriptions of their nature, cultural color meanings, how to use each color in design work, and which colors work best together.
Blue, Green, Turquoise, Silver.
Blue
Calm and Cool: Blue is calming. It can be strong and steadfast or light and friendly. Almost everyone likes some shade of the color blue.
Nature of Blue: A natural color, from the blue of the sky, blue is a universal color. The cool, calming effect of blue makes time pass more quickly and it can help you sleep. Blue is a good color for bedrooms. However, too much blue could dampen spirits.
Culture of Blue: In many diverse cultures blue is significant in religious beliefs, brings peace, or is believed to keep the bad spirits away.
Blue conveys importance and confidence without being somber or sinister, hence the blue power suit of the corporate world and the blue uniforms of police officers. Long considered a corporate color, blue, especially darker blue, is associated with intelligence, stability, unity, and conservatism.
Just as seeing red alludes to the strong emotions invoked by the color red, feeling blue or getting the blues
represents the extremes of the calm feelings associated with blue, i.e.
sadness or depression, lack of strong (violent) emotion. Dark blue is
sometimes seen as staid or stodgy — old-fashioned.
In Iran, blue is the color of mourning while in the West the something blue bridal tradition represents love.
Using Blue:A
deep royal blue or azure conveys richness and perhaps even a touch of
superiority. Navy blue is almost black and is a bit warmer than lighter
blues. Combine a light and dark blue to convey trust and truthfulness —
banker's colors. Although blue is a year-round color, pastel blues,
especially along with pinks and pale yellows suggest Springtime while
deep blue is a colder weather color. Create a conservative but
sophisticated look with subtle contrast by combining light and dark
shades of blue.
Using Blue with Other Colors: Mix the color of blue with green for a natural, watery palette. Add gray for understated elegance.
Sky blue and robin's egg blue, especially when combined with neutral light brown, tans, or beige are environmentally friendly color combinations.
Throw in a dash of blue to cool down a hot red or orange scheme. Grab attention with the contrast of blue and yellow.
Dark blue with white is fresh, crisp, and nautical. Red, white, and blue is a patriotic color trio for many countries, including the United States.
Use dark blue with metallic silver accents for an elegantly rich appearance.
Language of Blue:The use of blue in familiar
phrases can help a designer see how their color of choice might be
perceived by others, both the positive and negative aspects.
Good blue
True blue - someone loyal and faithful
Out of the blue - unexpected (could be positive or negative)
Blue ribbon - first rate, top prize
Blueblood - person of noble birth, royalty
Bluestocking - well-read or scholarly woman
Bluebook - register of socially prominent people
The Blues (capitalized) - popular style of music sometimes characterized by melancholy melodies and words
Baby blues - Blue eyes (also see Bad blue words)
Bad blue
Feeling blue - feeling sad or depressed
Blue devils - feelings of depression
The blues (not capitalized) - depression, state of sadness
Blue Monday - feeling sad
Baby blues - post-partum depression
Singing the blues - bemoaning one's circumstances
Blue laws - laws originally intended to enforce certain moral standards
Blue language - profanity
Bluenose - puritanical individual
Into the blue - entering the unknown or escape to parts unknown
Out of the blue - unexpected (could be positive or negative)
Blue Words: These words are synonymous with blue or represent various shades of the color blue.
Life and Renewal: Green is life. Abundant in nature, green signifies growth, renewal, health, and environment. On the flip side, green is jealousy or envy (green-eyed monster) and inexperience.
Nature of Green: Green is a restful color with some of the same calming attributes of blue. Like blue, time moves faster in a green room.
Culture of Green: Green is the national color of Ireland and is strongly associated with that country. Green also has close associations with Islam. Because of all the green in nature the color is reminiscent of Spring. Coupled with red it's a Christmas color.
Using Green: With both a warming and cooling effect, the color green denotes balance, harmony, and stability. Use several shades of green for a fresh, Springtime feel. Olive green, also called olive drab, is a not so drab summery green that may have military overtones for some people.
Using Green with Other Colors: Green with blue produces echoes of nature - water and forest and can denote new beginnings and growth. Green with brown, tan, or beige says organic or recycled and can be a good color combination for packaging of those type of products.
Tri-color combinations of green with yellow and black or white are sporty, outdoorsy colors. Purple with green can be high contrast, lively. Lime green with orange and yellow is a fresh and fruity palette.
Language of Green: The use of green in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their color of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and negative aspects.
Good green
Green light - go, permission to proceed (with a task)
The green room - in theater or televisions it is the room where performers and guests go to relax
Green thumb - good with plants
Greenback - US dollar bill, money
Greener pastures - something newer or better (or perceived to be better), such as a new job
Bad green
Green-eyed monster - jealosy
Green with envy - jealous or envious
Green - inexperienced, untested, untrained
Greenhorn - novice, trainee, beginner
Green around the gills - pale, sickly
Green Words: These words are synonymous with green or represent various shades of the color green.
Refreshing and Sophisticated: A mix of blue and green, turquoise has a sweet feminine feel while the darker teal shades add lively sophistication.
Nature of Turquoise: A blend of blue and green, shades of turquoise have the same calming effects of those colors.
Culture of Turquoise: This in-between color represents water, thus the names aqua and aquamarine. It's also a valuable and popular mineral often turned into jewelry. Turquoise is closely associated with the Middle East and the American Southwest.
Using Turquoise: Create feminine appeal with the lighter shades of turquoise. Some shades of turquoise have an old-fashioned 50s and 60s retro feel. Teal has a darker, somewhat more sophisticated look. Like the mineral, turquoise shades range from almost sky blue to deep greenish blues.
Using Turquoise with Other Colors: Keep the soft, feminine qualities going by mixing turquoise with lavender and pale pinks. A bright turquoise and pink create a sparkly clean, retro look. Make it art deco by pairing turquoise with white and black. Turquoise with gray or silver as well as terra cotta and light browns have a Southwestern (U.S.) flavor. Turquoise with orange or yellow creates a fresh, sporty look.
Turquoise Words: These words are synonymous with turquoise or represent various shades of the color turquoise.
Teal, ultramarine, blue-green, aqua, aquamarine.
Gray
Elegant Neutral: Gray is a neutral, balanced color. It is a cool, conservative color that seldom evokes strong emotion although it can be seen as a cloudy or moody color.
Nature of Gray: The lighter side of black, gray is a cool color seen in storm clouds and some metals.
Culture of Gray: Like black, gray is used as a color of mourning as well as a color of formality. Along with blue suits, gray suits are part of the uniform of the corporate world. Dark, charcoal gray carries with it some of the strengh and mystery of black. It is a sophisticated color without much of the negative attributes of black. Lighter grays are similar to white. Gray tuxedos are common for men at weddings.
Using Gray: All shades of gray can be good, neutral background colors. Use lighter grays in place of white and darker gray in place of black. Taupe, a grayish brown neutral is a conservative, slightly earthy, warm shade of gray.
Using Gray with Other Colors: Light grays with pastel shades of pink, blue, lavender, and green have a feminine quality. Darken those colors for a more masculine feel. Gray with hot pink can be a little retro. Cool a warm palette by adding gray to rich reds or golden yellows.
Language of Gray: The use of gray in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their color of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and negative aspects.
Good gray
Gray matter - brains, intellect
Gray power - having to do with the elderly or senior citizens
Bad gray
Gray - dull, dingy, dirty
Gray page - in desktop publishing, a text-heavy page with little contrast or white space
Gray-hair - old person (not necessarily derogatory)
Gray water - dirty water such as water drained from a bathtub or kitchen sink
Gray Words: These words are synonymous with gray or represent various shades of the color gray.
Charcoal, slate, iron gray, ashen, lead, mousy, gunmetal, silver, dove gray, powder grey, oyster, pearl, taupe, sere, Payne's gray.
Silver
Metallic Riches: Silver, especially a shiny, metallic silver, is cool like gray but livelier, more playful. Silver can be sleek and modern or impart a feeling of ornate riches.
Nature of Silver: Silver is a precious metal and other metals are often described as silver in color. Silver doesn't have the warmth of gold. It's a cool metal.
Culture of Silver: Silver often symbolizes riches, just as gold does. Silver can be glamorous and distinguished. While gray-haired men and women are seen as old, silver-haired denotes a graceful aging. Silver is the traditional Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary gift.
Using Silver: The color silver can be earthy, natural or sleek and elegant. It can be used much as gray is although when using shiny metallic inks, small amounts for accents is best.
Using Silver with Other Colors: Silver coupled with turquoise evokes the Southwest (U.S.). A touch of silver pops with medium blue. Use silver with other colors to create a high-tech or industrial look.
Language of Silver: The use of silver in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their color of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and negative aspects.
Good silver
Silver screen - movies, especially classic movies
Silver-tongued - witty, eloquent speaker
Pieces of silver - money, especially coins
Bad silver
Silver-tongued devil - articulate speaker perceived to be insincere, possibly a liar
Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth - usually used as a putdown against someone born into a wealthy family who never had to work for a living
Silver Words: These words are synonymous with silver or represent various shades of the color silver.
Gun metal, gray, metallic grey.
White
Ultimate Light: White is purity, cleanliness, and innocence. Like black, white goes well with almost any color.
Nature of White: To the human eye, white is a brilliant color that can cause headaches for some. Too much bright white can be blinding.
Culture of White: In
most Western countries white is the color for brides. In the East, it's
the color for mourning and funerals. White is often associated with
hospitals, especially doctors, nurses, and dentists. Some cultures
viewed white as the color of royalty or of dieties. Angels are
typically depicted as wearing white. In early Westerns the good guy
wore white while the bad guy wore black.
Using White: In most cases white is seen as a neutral background color and other colors, even when used in smaller proportion, are the colors that convey the most meaning in a design. Use white to signify cleanliness or purity or softness. Some neutral beige, ivory, and creams carry the same attributes as white but are more subdued, less brilliant than plain white. Use lots of white for a summery look. Use small amounts of white to soften a wintery palette or suggest snow.
Using White with Other Colors: Used with light or pastel tones, white is soft and Spring-like and helps to make the pastel palette more lively. White can make dark or light reds, blues, and greens look brighter, more prominent. Red, white, and blue makes a patriotic palette.
Language of White: The use of white in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their color of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and negative aspects.
Good white
White as the driven snow - pure, clean, innocent
White elephant - rare, valuable but perhaps unwanted
White knight - someone who comes to another person's rescue, someone perceived as being good, noble
White list - list of good or acceptable items
White sale - sale of sheets, towels, other linens
Pearly white - teeth, especially very white teeth
Bad white
Whitewash - cover up, conceal
Whiteout - zero visibility
White flag - surrender
White lightning - moonshine, illegal whiskey
White elephant - rare, valuable but perhaps unwanted
White knuckle - something that is fast, exciting, or frightening
White Words: These words are synonymous with white or represent various shades of the color white.
Warm colors rev us up and get us going. The warmth of red, yellow, or
orange can create excitement or even anger. Warm colors convey emotions
from simple optimism to strong violence. The neutrals of black and
brown also carry warm attributes.
In nature, warm colors represent
change as in the changing of the seasons or the eruption of a volcano.
Tone down the strong emotions of a warm palette with some soothing cool
or neutral colors or by using the lighter side of the warm palette such
as pinks, pale yellows, and peach.
Warm colors appear larger
than cool colors so red can visually overpower blue even if used in
equal amounts. Warm colors appear closer while their cool counterparts
visually recede on the page.
The profiles for each of these
warm colors include descriptions of their nature, cultural color
meanings, how to use each color in design work, and which colors work
best together.
Red, Pink, Yellow, Gold, Orange.
Red
Love and War: Red is hot.
It's a strong color that conjures up a range of seemingly conflicting
emotions from passionate love to violence and warfare. Red is Cupid and
the Devil.
Nature of Red:A stimulant, red is the hottest of the warm colors. Studies show that red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure.
The expression seeing red
indicates anger and may stem not only from the stimulus of the color
but from the natural flush (redness) of the cheeks, a physical reaction
to anger, increased blood pressure, or physical exertion.
Culture of Red: Red is power, hence the red power tie for business people and the red carpet for celebrities and VIPs (very important people).
Flashing
red lights denote danger or emergency. Stop signs and stop lights are
red to get the drivers' attention and alert them to the dangers of the
intersection.
In some cultures, red denotes purity, joy, and
celebration. Red is the color of happiness and prosperity in China and
may be used to attract good luck.
Red is often the color worn by brides in the East
while it is the color of mourning in South Africa. In Russia the
Bolsheviks used a red flag when they overthrew the Tsar, thus red
became associated with communism. Many national flags use red. The red
Ruby is the traditional Fortieth Wedding Anniversary gift.
Using Red: Use
the color red to grab attention and to get people to take action. Use
red when you don't want to sink into the background. Use red to suggest
speed combined with confidence and perhaps even a dash of danger. A
little bit of red goes a long way. Small doses can often be more
effective than large amounts of this strong color. Multiple shades of
red and even pink or orange can combine for a cheerful palette.
Using Red with Other Colors: Although not normally considered an ideal coupling, in combination with green, red is a Christmas color — a joyful season.
Cool blues provide contrast and tone down the heat of red. Light pinks and yellows
are harmonizing colors that can work well with red if not too close in
value such as dark red with a pale or golden yellow. Be careful using purple. It can be an elegant combination but too much could be overpowering.
Add a dash of red to a soft but sophisticated pink and gray
combo. For some countries, including the US, red, white, and blue is a
very patriotic trio even if the shades of red and blue differ from
those used in the flag.
Language of Red: The
use of red in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their color
of choice might be perceived by others — both the positive and negative
aspects.
Good red
Red letter day - important or significant occasion
Red carpet treatment - make someone feel special, treat them as if they are a celebrity
Roll out the red carpet - same as above
Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning; red sky at night, sailor's delight - pay attention to good and bad warning signs
Paint the town red - celebrate, go out partying
Red eye - an overnight flight
Bad red
Seeing red - to be angry
Red herring - something that deceives or distracts attention from the truth
In the red - being overdrawn at the bank or losing money
Red flag - denotes danger, warning, or an impending battle
Red Words: These words are synonymous with red or represent various shades of the color red.
Cotton Candy and Little Girls: Pink
is a softer, less violent red. Pink is the sweet side of red. It's
cotton candy and bubble gum and babies, especially little girls.
Nature of Pink:While
red stirs up passion and action, studies have shown that large amounts
of pink can create physical weakness in people. Perhaps there is a
tie-in between this physical reaction and the color's association with
the so-called weaker sex.
Culture of Pink: In some cultures, such as the US, pink is the color of little girls. It represents sugar and spice and everything nice. Pink for men goes in and out of style. Most people still think of pink as a feminine, delicate color.
Using Pink: Both red and
pink denote love but while red is hot passion, pink is romantic and
charming. Use pink to convey playfulness (hot pink flamingoes) and
tenderness (pastel pinks). Multiple shades of pink and light purple or
other pastels used together maintain the soft, delicate, and playful
nature of pink. Add strength with darker shades of pinks and purple and
burgundy.
Using Pink with Other Colors:All shades of pink get sophisticated when combined with black or gray or medium to darker shades of blue. Medium to dark green with pink is also a sharp-looking combo.
Language of Pink:The
use of pink in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their color
of choice might be perceived by others — both the positive and negative
aspects.
Good pink
In the pink - healthy
Tickled pink - happy, content
Pink collar - female office worker (sometimes used in a derogatory manner)
Bad or neutral pink
Pink collar - female office worker (sometimes used in a derogatory manner to imply low person on the office totem pole)
Pink - cut, notch, or make a zigzag
Pink Words: These words are synonymous with pink or represent various shades of the color pink.
Salmon, coral, hot pink, fuschia, blush, flesh, flush, fuchsia, rose.
Yellow
Hope and Happiness: Yellow
is sunshine. It is a warm color that, like red, has conflicting
symbolism. On the one hand it denotes happiness and joy but on the
other hand yellow is the color of cowardice and deceit.
Nature of Yellow: Yellow
is one of the warm colors. Because of the high visibility of bright
yellow, it is often used for hazard signs and some emergency vehicles.
Yellow is cheerful.
Culture of Yellow: For
years yellow ribbons were worn as a sign of hope as women waited from
their men to come marching home from war. Today, they are still used to
welcome home loved ones. Its use for hazard signs creates an
association between yellow and danger, although not quite as dangerous
as red.
If someone is yellow it means they are a coward so yellow can have a negative meaning in some cultures.
Yellow is for mourning in Egypt and actors of the
Middle Ages wore yellow to signify the dead. Yet yellow has also
represented courage (Japan), merchants (India), and peace.
Using Yellow: Although
it can work as the primary color, yellow often works best as a
companion to other colors. Use bright yellow to create excitement when
red or orange may be too strong or too dark. Yellow can be perky.
Using Yellow with Other Colors: Use yellow to perk up a more subdued cool palette of blues and grays. Use lemon yellow with orange
to carry out a healthy, summery, citrus theme. Very pale yellows can
work as neutrals alongside darker or richer colors. Yellow and blue are a high contrast, eye-popping combination. Mix yellow with neutral gray and a dash of black for a high-tech look.
For an earthy palette, especially for fall, mix yellow, olive green, and brown. While yellows and bright or light greens can be part of a natural, fruity color palette, be careful not to use colors too close in value or they will appear washed out.
Language of Yellow: The
use of yellow in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their
color of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and
negative aspects.
Good yellow
Yellow ribbon - hope, support, remembrance
Mellow yellow - laid back, relaxation
Bad yellow
Yellow or Yellow streak or Yellow-bellied - cowardice or coward
Yellow journalism - irresponsible reporting
Yellow Words: These words are synonymous with yellow or represent various shades of the color yellow.
Riches and Excess: A cousin
to yellow (and orange and brown) is gold. While green may be the color
of money (U.S. money, that is) gold is the color of riches and
extravagance.
Nature of Gold: The
color gold shares many of the attributes of yellow. It is a warm color
that can be both bright and cheerful as well as somber and traditional.
Culture of Gold: Because gold is a precious metal, the color gold is associated with wealth and prosperity. While all that glitters is not gold
the color gold still suggests grandeur, and perhaps on the downside,
the excesses of the rich. Gold is the traditional gift for a Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary while gold-like bronze is for the eighth and copper with its reddish-gold tones is for the seventh.
Using Gold: Add a small
amount of metallic gold ink to a project for a special, rich touch.
Bright gold catches the eye while darker subdued shades of gold lend
richness and warmth.
Using Gold with Other Colors: Add a golden glow to an earthy palette of orange, green, and brown. Double the riches of a burgundy red or purple palette with glittery gold.
More Golden Color Discussion:COLOURlovers looks briefly at the symbolism of gold and visitors comment on it.
Language of Gold: The
use of gold in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their color
of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and negative
aspects.
Good gold
Gold star - praise, commendation
Good as gold - valuable, positive
Solid gold - superior, outstanding, best of the best
Gold standard - the best, a measure of quality, excellence
Golden child/boy - favored person
Bad gold
Gold brick - trick, cheat, or deceive
Golddigger - someone who feigns genuine interest but is only after a person's money
Fool's Gold - mica, anything mistaken for gold, worthless
Gold Words: These words are synonymous with gold or represent various shades of the color gold.
Goldenrod, yellow gold, honey, bronze, copper.
Orange
Flamboyant and Energetic : Orange
is vibrant. It's a combination of red and yellow so it shares some
common attributes with those colors. It denotes energy, warmth, and the
sun. But orange has a bit less intensity or aggression than red, calmed
by the cheerfulness of yellow.
Nature of Orange:As
a warm color orange is a stimulant — stimulating the emotions and even
the appetite. Orange can be found in nature in the changing leaves of
fall, the setting sun, and the skin and meat of citrus fruit.
Culture of Orange:Orange
brings up images of autumn leaves, pumpkins, and (in combination with
Black) Halloween. It represents the changing seasons so in that sense
it is a color on the edge, the color of change between the heat of
summer and the cool of winter.
Because orange is also a citrus color, it can conjure up thoughts of vitamin C and good health.
Using Orange:If you want to
get noticed without screaming, consider the color orange — it demands
attention. The softer oranges such as peach are even friendlier, more
soothing. Peachy oranges are less flamboyant than their redder cousins
but still energetic.
In keeping with its transitional appearance in
nature, you might use shades of orange to indicate transition or a
bridge between two opposing factors.
Orange
is often synonymous with autumn yet the brighter oranges are a summer
color. Use shades of orange for seasonal-themed fall or summer
materials.
Orange is mentally stimulating as well as sociable. Use it to get people thinking or to get them talking.
Using Orange with Other Colors: While orange and black are traditional Halloween colors, orange really pops with a medium blue. Red, yellow, and orange can be a fiery hot combination or, in tamer shades, a fresh, fruity experience. Make it tropical with green.
Use caution mixing orange and pink unless you want to recreate a vibrating, 60s psychedelic look.
Try a dash of orange with deep purple or a dash of purple with a bit of orange, tempered by lots of mellow yellow or white for an eye-catching look that's not overpowering.
Orange Words: These words are synonymous with orange or represent various shades of the color orange.
Ultimate Dark:Considered
the negation of color, black is conservative, goes well with almost any
color except the very dark. It also has conflicting connotations. It
can be serious and conventional. The color black can also be
mysterious, sexy, and sophisticated.
Nature of Black: Black
is the absence of color. In clothing, black is visually slimming.
Black, like other dark colors, can make a room appear to shrink in size
and even a well-lit room looks dark with a lot of black. Black can make
other colors appear brighter.
Culture of Black: In
most Western countries black is the color of mourning. Among young
people, black is often seen as a color of rebellion. Black is both
positive and negative. It is the color for little boys in China. Black,
especially combined with orange is the color of Halloween. In early
Westerns the good guy wore white while the bad guy wore black. But
later on good guys wore black to lend an air of mystery to themselves.
Using Black: Use the color
black to convey elegance, sophistication, or perhaps a touch of
mystery. Dark charcoal gray and very dark brown can sometimes stand in
for black.
Using Black with Other Colors: Be
careful using black with very dark colors. It can work, but if the
colors are too similiar they blend together. Black works well with
bright, jewel-toned shades of red, blue, and green. Black is the ultimate dark color and makes lighter colors such as yellow really pop out. Photographs often look brighter against a black background. Black and gray is a conservative combo as is medium or light blue and black.
Language of Black: The
use of black in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their
color of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and
negative aspects.
Good black
Black tie - formal (as in formal party attire)
Black belt - expert (especially in martial arts)
Blackwash - bring things out in the open In the black - having money, doing well in business
Men in black - government agents
Black box - equipment or apparatus
Pitch black - dark as night, very black
Bad black
Black out - Loss of consciouness or the act of erasing something
Blackout - loss of electricity or turning out the lights
Black eye - damage such as damage to one's reputation, slander, unpopular
Black-hearted - evil
Blackguard - a scoundrel
Black sheep - an outcast from a family or from society
Black market - illegal trade (goods or money)
Blackmail - obtaining something by threat
Blacklist - list of people or organizations to boycott, avoid, or punish
Black Words: These words are synonymous with black or represent various shades of the color black.
Down-to-Earth: Brown is a natural, down-to-earth neutral color. It is found in earth, wood, and stone.
Nature of Brown: Brown
is a warm neutral color that can stimulate the appetite. It is found
extensively in nature in both living and non-living materials.
Culture of Brown:Brown
represents wholesomeness and earthiness. While it might be considered a
little on the dull side, it also represents steadfastness, simplicity,
friendliness, dependability, and health. Although blue is the typical
corporate color, UPS (United Parcel Service) has built their business
around the dependability associated with brown.
Using Brown: The color brown
and its lighter cousins in tan, taupe, beige, or cream make excellent
backgrounds helping accompanying colors appear richer, brighter. Use
brown to convey a feeling of warmth, honesty, and wholesomeness.
Although found in nature year-round, brown is often considered a fall
and winter color. It is more casual than black.
Using Brown with Other Colors: Shades of brown coupled with green
are an especially earthy pair, often used to convey the concept of
recycling or earth-friendly products. Very dark brown can replace black, adding a slightly warmer tone to some palettes. Brighten brown with a mellow yellow or rusty orange. Go smart but conservative with a mix of brown and deep purple, green, gray, or orange-red.
Language of Brown: The
use of brown in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their
color of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and
negative aspects.
Good brown
Brown bottle - beer
Brown - cook or burn
Bad brown
Brown-nose - someone who attempts to ingratiate themselves with people of authority
Brown study - someone who is aloof, indifferent
Brown out - partial loss of electricity
Brown Words: These words are synonymous with brown or represent various shades of the color brown.
Colors with attributes from both the warm and cool colors can calm and
excite. These are colors derived from a mix of a cool and warm color
such as blue and red or blue and yellow.
A cool blue and a warm red
combine to create deep purples and pale lavendars. To a lesser extent,
shades of green, especially turquoise and teal, also have both the
warming and cooling effects born of warm yellow and cool blue. Some
light neutrals such as cream, pale beige, and taupe evoke some of the
same warm and cool feelings of purples and greens. The opposite or
clashing color for purple is green and for green, purple.
The
profiles for each of these mixed colors include descriptions of their
nature, cultural color meanings, how to use each color in design work,
and which colors work best together. Green and Turquoise are also included in this category.
Purple, Lavender, Green, Turquoise.
Purple
Royalty and Spirituality: Purple
is royalty. A mysterious color, purple is associated with both nobility
and spirituality. The opposites of hot red and cool blue combine to
create this intriguing color.
Nature of Purple: Purple
has a special, almost sacred place in nature: lavender, orchid, lilac,
and violet flowers are often delicate and considered precious. Because
purple is derived from the mixing of a strong warm and strong cool
color it has both warm and cool properties. A purple room can boost a
child's imagination or an artist's creativity. Too much purple, like
blue, could result in moodiness.
Culture of Purple: The
color of mourning for widows in Thailand, purple was the favorite color
of Egypt's Cleopatra. It has been traditionally associated with royalty
in many cultures. Purple robes were worn by royalty and people of
authority or high rank. The Purple Heart is a U.S. Military decoration given to soldiers wounded in battle.
Using Purple: Deep or bright
purples suggest riches while lighter purples are more romantic and
delicate. Use redder purples for a warmer color scheme or the bluer
purples to cool down.
Using Purple with Other Colors: A deep eggplant purple with neutral tans or beige is an earthy, conservative color combination with a touch of the mystery that purple provides. Green and purple can be a striking combination in deep or bright jewel tones or use lighter shades for a cheerful, springlike feel. Pink and purple has feminine appeal.
Language of Purple: The
use of purple in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their
color of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and
negative aspects.
Graceful and Feminine: Lavender
has long been a favorite flower and color of genteel ladies. This shade
of purple suggests refinement along with grace, elegance, and something
special.
Nature of Lavender: Purple
and its lighter lavender shades has a special, almost sacred place in
nature: lavender, orchid, lilac, and violet flowers are often delicate
and considered precious.
Culture of Lavender: While purple is the color of royalty, lavender is the color of femininity. It's a grown up pink.
Using Lavender: Use the
color lavender to suggest something unique or extremely special but
without the deeper mystery of purple. Lavender may be a good choice
when you are targeting women and want to invoke feelings of nostalgia
or romance.
Using Lavender with Other Colors: Pink with lavender is extremely feminine. A minty green with lavender is a cheerful, Springtime look. Blues with lavender are cool and sophisticated combination or warm it up with reds. For a contemporary earthy palette try lavender with beige and light browns.
Lavender Words: These words are synonymous with lavender or represent various shades of the color lavender.
Plum, lilac, thistle, orchid, mauve, purple.
Beige
Dependable and Flexible:Beige
is a chameleon, taking on some of the attributes of stronger warm or
cool colors it accompanies. On its own, the color beige is a calm
neutral background.
Nature of Beige: Beige
is a neutral color with a bit of the warmth of brown and the crisp,
coolness of white. It is sometimes seen as dull and boring unless
coupled with other colors. It can be a relaxing color for a room.
Culture of Beige:Beige
has traditionally been seen as a conservative, background color. In
some cultures, beige garments might symbolize piety or simplicity.
Traditional Saudi Arabia dress include a flowing floor-length outer
cloak (bisht) made of wool or camel hair in black, beige, brown or cream tones.
Using Beige: Use the color
beige to provide a calm, relaxing background. Small doses of beige
might be added to separate two dark colors to help each stand out.
Using Beige with Other Colors: Beige can take on some of the attributes of yellow or pink when touched with those shades. Try purple and pink with beige for a conservative but feminine look. Beige with greens, browns, and orange can create an earthy palette. Black lends a touch of strength and sophistication to beige. A touch of beige warms up a palette of cool blues without overpowering them.
Beige Words: These words are synonymous with beige or represent various shades of the color beige.
The neutral colors of black, white, silver, gray, and brown make good
backgrounds, serve to unify diverse color palettes, and also often
stand alone as the only or primary focus of a design.
Neutral
colors help to put the focus on other colors or serve to tone down
colors that might otherwise be overpowering on their own. To some
extent blacks, browns, tans, golds, and beige colors are considered
warm. While white, ivory, silver, and gray are somewhat cooler colors.
Yet these warm and cool attributes are flexible and more subtle than
that of reds or blues.
The profiles for each of these neutral
colors include descriptions of their nature, cultural color meanings,
and how to use each color in design work.
Brown, Beige, Ivory, Gray, Black, White.
Ivory
Relaxing Neutral:Ivory is a
soft neutral color that isn't quite white and has some of the
earthiness of light browns. Ivory represents quiet, pleasantness with a
touch of luster.
Nature of Ivory:As
a neutral, ivory is a calming color. It carries some of the same
pureness, softness, and cleanliness of white but is slightly richer, a
touch warmer.
Culture of Ivory: The
ivory tusks of elephants have long been prized and used in jewelry and
the decoration of housewares and furniture. Pearl and opal, shades of
ivory, are also precious stones. Ivory is the traditional Fourteenth Wedding Anniversary gift while pearl is for the Thirtieth.
Using Ivory: The color ivory provides a calming effect. Use it to set a relaxed tone of understated elegance.
Using Ivory with Other Colors: Ivory with light peach, pale grassy green, and light browns has an earthy feel but softer than other natural palettes. Use a touch of ivory to lighten and brighten medium and dark orange, blue, green, purple, or turquoise.
Language of Ivory: The
use of ivory in familiar phrases can help a designer see how their
color of choice might be perceived by others, both the positive and
negative aspects.
Good ivory
Ivory dome - intellectual or teacher
Ivory tower - refuge, place of seclusion from the world
Bad ivory
Ivory
tower - often used in a derogatory manner to indicate someone who has
been physically or mentally in a place out of touch with reality or the
real world
Ivory Words: These words are synonymous with ivory or represent various shades of the color ivory.
