What are the meanings of the colors?

In olden times, the meaning of colors was based on nature.  Whatever nature had (leaves, water, sun) gave meaning to the color.  Thus many colors, such as purple, were considered rare and magical because they did not appear often in natural environments.  As a result, purple became a color for the elite and powerful.  As time went on, man was able to develop more and more dyes with brighter hues and more variety.  Each variety took on its own meanings based on feelings when the colors are seen and the association of each color.  For instance, the ocean appears blue from a distance and water is calming and cleansing.  Therefore blue is considered peaceful, calming and cleansing.

The rainbow, seen in the sunlight after a rainstorm, has the basic hues of color beginning with red-orange-yellow-green-blue-purple.  Each color blends into the next color.  For example:  red is the first color and yellow is the third color, yellow and red blended together makes orange which is the second color. 

Rose colors have specific meanings. Each rose means something based on color, size, and presentation (number of roses and how they are put together).  For instance a single red rose means “I love you!”  Roses are not the only things that come in colors, however.  There are jewels, stones, clothing, paint, wall paper, rugs, even computer screens, backgrounds for internet pages, and covers for your electronic equipment; and, of course, nature, where color association began.  There is color all around us and each one has a different meaning based on how we feel about them and how they make us feel when we see them.

It is considered dark, evil, bad, or the symbol of mourning.  Black is considered to be representative of negative things such as revenge, and Death.  Black is obtained from the combination of all colors.  Black will draw the heat of the sun and is thus considered a hot color.  For the days of the week, black represents Saturday.  It is representative of the Zodiac signs of Scorpio and/or Capricorn.  A black room will seem smaller, melancholy and closed in.

 Red is the color for lust, fire and extremes.  When an account is in the red, it is considered bad.  However, when an account is in the black it is considered good (I don’t know why either).  Red is the color of blood and is often used to signal danger or stop (such as the stop sign you see on the roads).  Red also depicts violence, anger, and seduction.  All of the references for red are extremes; meaning that if you “see red” you are not just mad you are furious.  A red sign means that danger is not possible it is present. Red is a hot color and often brings on intense feelings. 

Orange, pink, and purple are the most popular colors with meanings.  Orange is for energy, cheer, excitement, warmth, Halloween and adventure.  Orange is for Sunday and Tuesday.  Pink is for little girls and is associated with the Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church.  Although pink is active and masculine, it was chosen to represent little girls for reasons that have been lost.  Pink represents Friday.  Blue, the universal representative of boys, is more of a cool, calm, quiet, female color, again the reasoning is lost.  Purple, is a color that represents dignity, nobility, deities, luxury, mystery and creativity.  Purple is considered magical and mystical.  Purple represents Sagittarius.  Purple represents Wednesday (violet) and Thursday. 

The other popular colors are silver and gold.  Silver and gold are often associated with Christmas.  They are also representative of prosperity and wealth.  Silver and gold jewelry symbolize money.  Gold is the basis of many economies.  Silver and gold are huge commodities on the stock market.  Silver is the color of metal and represents Monday and Gemini.  Gold represents the Zodiac sign Leo.  The only other popular color is brown which represents the earth and growing.  It also represents the Zodiac sign Capricorn.