THE COLOUR WHEEL

While our reactions to certain hues are not universal, here are the emotions and moods frequently attributed to some of the most common colours.

RED

The intense colour of fire and blood, it’s no wonder red has come to signify strong feelings such as anger, danger, and passion. In many Asian countries such as China and India, however, it is associated with happiness and good fortune.

ORANGE

Combining the heat of red and the optimism of yellow, orange is said to convey energy, freshness, and health. It’s considered playful, youthful, and fun.

YELLOW

The colour of sunshine paints the world in a friendly, happy aesthetic. Being highly visible from afar, however, it’s sometimes associated with caution – think life vests and hazard signs.

PURPLE

Vibrant shades say ‘royalty’ and it is also the colour of mystery and spirituality, but on the softer side, purple signifies femininity and sentimentality.

WHITE

White speaks of purity, innocence and perfection. It’s simple and modern, but on the downside, it can be viewed as too clean, reminding us of stark and sterile environments.

BROWN

Lending an earthy tone, brown is generally associated with nature, organic products, and wholesomeness. It is seen as being simple, strong, and honest.

BLUE

Another colour with a split personality, blue can call to mind reliability, communication, loyalty, and authority. It’s appreciated for its calming reference to the sea and sky, but we also see it as expressing sadness and depression.

GREEN

In English, it’s named after the Anglo-Saxon word ‘grene’, meaning ‘grow’ and ‘grass’ and fittingly calls to mind lush plant life and the environment. On the other hand, it is also the colour of money – meaning we also associate it with finance and wealth.

BLACK

Death, evil and mystery are often the first things that pop into our heads when we think of black, but it can also convey luxury and sophistication. It’s bold and classic and not to be dismissed.