What does the color blue mean in psychology?

A color widely used to communicate a Wide range of concepts and feelings.

If we observe the Earth from space, it is very easy to guess why it is also called the blue planet.

It is obviously the high presence of seas and oceans on our planet, occupying three quarters of the world. But if we see it blue it is not because of water per se, but because of how our eyes perceive the refraction and absorption of light.

Color has had great implications on a symbolic level since ancient times, and today it is known even on a scientific level that the perception of a particular color can have effects on a psychic level both in us and in other beings. What does the color blue mean in psychology? We are going to discover it throughout this article.

What is this color?

The color blue is one of the primary colors that the human being is able to perceive, and one of the three types of cones that we have in our eye is able to detect directly. It is important to keep in mind that color is not an entity or property per se of light, but an effect of the perception of refraction. an effect of the perception of the refraction of light on objects.. Thus, things are not blue but we perceive them as blue.

Concretely, we could consider that the color blue is the perception through the vision of the reflection of light with a wavelength between 460 and 482 nm, including a wide range of wavelengths.This actually includes a wide range of shades depending on how much it mixes with the other basic colors.

What does the color blue mean in psychology?

The color blue has and has always had a great effect on the human psyche, largely because of the symbolism and association of the color with elements that we perceive in that color and that generate specific emotional experiences. Specifically, the color blue is usually linked to water in almost all its forms, especially to seas and oceans, as well as to rain. It is also associated with the color of the sky.

These associations are, in fact, what usually give it its meaning both positively and negatively. Generally, light blue tends to have a more innocent and pure symbolism. (sky blue, like morning or calm water) while dark blue is more related to maturity and hardness (more typical of storms, waves and sunset).

These effects and their possible practical application are studied in what is known as color psychology. Within this, it has been observed that blue is often linked to introspection, shyness and tolerance, but probably its best known link is with the idea of serenity and calmness. probably its best known association is with the idea of serenity and calmness.. It is one of the colors most associated with tranquility and control of the situation, as well as peace, understanding and protection. It is also linked to caring for others and to trust and credibility. Lighter shades are often associated with innocence and generosity, while darker shades are related to intelligence, power and poise.

Likewise, blue is often associated with mental and emotional stability, as well as reason (also intelligence) and a rational way of facing reality. It has been observed that the contemplation of blue favors the control and deepening of breathing, as well as helps in meditation processes. It also seems to favor creativity and cordiality, as well as understanding between people.

Other meanings

Other concepts that a large part of the world symbolizes with this color are. freedom, loyalty, harmony, fidelity, seriousness and truth.. The color blue is also associated with strength and authority, physical energy, intelligence and sport. It has also been traditionally associated with masculinity, modernity and technological development.

On the other hand, like the other colors, blue can also have negative connotations or make everyday life more difficult. For example, as mentioned above, it is associated with the capacity for introspection and control. But this also links it to carrying these to excess: especially dark colorations are associated with hyper-controlled behavior and lack of spontaneity. It is also associated with self-centeredness and aloofness, as well as concealment and not revealing one's identity or weaknesses.

It is not uncommon for the color blue to identify people who are rigid and conservative, melancholic, rigid and conservative. rigid and conservative, melancholic and emotional people.. In the field of mood, it is therefore common that there is a link between blue and sadness or depression, as well as passivity.

Practical uses

Knowledge of these effects on the human psyche can be very useful, since it can be used to promote specific emotional states and contribute to improving mood and mental health.

For example, together with white it is often used in hospitals (especially in areas dedicated to children), schools and meditation centers, yoga and in the practice of relaxation activities. It is also common in the common and rest areas of offices and offices of different types of professionals. In sports it is quite common. It is also used in bedrooms, where it is linked to a greater perception of tranquility and facilitates sleep. Also in the kitchen, where it makes it easier to eat less.

In a less innocent and more interested way, it is also often used in the world of advertising and marketing for these same reasons. Many brands use it because of its association with credibility, truth and poweras well as its association with leadership. In the same way and due to the above, it is also commonly used in different shades in different political events and election campaigns.

Blue in other cultures

So far we have discussed the role and value of the color blue from the point of view of Western psychology. However, we must take into account that blue can acquire different shades depending on the culture in which we are.

This color receives an important consideration in a great part of the religions of the world.. Examples of this are Egypt or India, where it is considered sacred to the point that in the Hindu religion the god Krishna (one of the main and most important deities of his pantheon, symbol of love and care but also of severity) has the skin of this color. Judaism is often linked to holiness, as is Christianity (for example, the robes of the Virgin Mary are often depicted in blue).

In Muslim countries, blue is considered a color linked to protection as the color of the sky, as well as to economic power.as well as economic power. Indigenous peoples of South America often link it to the spiritual and sacred, being part of the clothing of some of their most important gods.

In China it is linked to healing and harmony, symbolizing wood and being considered a color of good fortune. However, blue is sometimes frowned upon and associated with pornography and even evil. In fact, in the past, people with blue eyes were frowned upon in that country, being considered unnatural. In Korea its meaning is related to death, being in fact the color of mourning. In Eastern Europe it is often linked to immortality. In Belgium, unlike in most of the world where it is linked to the masculine, it is associated with girls.