Cultural meaning
Colors also have different meaning in different cultures. A color may represent good feelings in one culture but bad feelings in another. For example, in the United States, white represents goodness. It is usually the color of a bride's wedding dress. However, in India, China, and Japan, white can mean death. Green is the color of dollar bills in the U.S., so green may make Americans think of money. But in China, green can represent a loss of respect. Different colors sometimes represent the same idea in different cultures. In European cultures, purple is the color of royalty for kings and queens. In Asia, yellow is the color of royalty. In addition, one color will have many different meanings within one culture. For example, in North America, red often means stop or danger, but it also can represent love.
Color psychology
Color psychology is the study of how color affect our emotions. Researchers and finding that colors can change our behavior in specific ways. For example, one research study showed that people could lift heavy weights more easily in blue rooms. Other studies have looked at how color influence decision. Soccer referees made more decisions against teams that wore black uniforms. Tae kwon do referees gave competitors in blue clothing higher scores than competitors in red. In another study, students who saw the color red before a test did much more poorly. Of cause, these test results might very from culture to culture.
Most people do not realize how much color affects them. It can affect how people think, feel, and act. Some colors, such as those in nature, can have the same meaning for everyone. Other colors meanings may be different in different cultures. We can increase our understanding of ourselves and the world around us by learning about what colors can mean or represent.