What does the color blue mean in psychology?

If you think about possible meanings of the color blue, it is very likely that the first image that comes to mind is that of an open, clear sky. And it is not surprising, since it evokes the tranquility of this setting, the feeling of shelter and spaciousness.

However, this color encompasses a large number of meanings, since It influences almost all aspects of mental life.. Throughout this space you will be able to explore them and learn a little more about the psychology of color. We begin.

Physical characteristics of the color blue

Before starting with the subjective part, let’s review the characteristics of this color, which is, literally, light. Although colors have an inevitable influence on the mind and life of humans, the truth is that they are not real: they are perceptions created by the brain.

Wavelength: The color blue is perceived when the wavelength of the perceived light measures between 460 and 482 nanometers.Saturation: It is the intensity or purity of blue hue. This color can vary its saturation, in some cases it is very pure, in others it is more contaminated, therefore, its saturation is lower.Intensity: Its tone can range from light and soft to dark and deep. It all depends on the amount of light that is reflected or addressed by the surface on which it is projected.Glow: Like saturation and intensity, brightness can change as well. It is usually shiny or opaque. It all depends on the light that is reflected from the surface.Refraction: Compared to other colors, blue has a higher refractive capacity. This means that it easily changes its direction when it passes from one medium to another with a different density.Frequency: Blue has a shorter wavelength and higher frequency than other colors like red, for example.Perception: The way we perceive it depends on the cones in our eyes and the electrical signals the brain receives.

Blue is a color with very particular features that allows us to admire the sky with its different shades. Although it is widely recognized and observable, its meaning is not very familiar to many people.

Meanings of the color blue

Beyond its physical characteristics, blue is a color very present in people’s lives. Along with brown and green, it is one of the colors of naturesince it is perceived in the sky and in large areas of water, such as lakes or seas.

Tranquillity: Blue is related to calm. This is why it is used to promote relaxation in bedrooms or waiting rooms. Research published in Frontiers in Psychology found that tranquility and preference for the color blue were related.Happiness and sadness: In many countries it is a color associated with sadness. Despite this, in others it is more linked to joy. In fact, a study of i-Perception found that blue is more related to positive emotions.Fidelity: in his book Color psychology (2004), Eva Heller points out that blue is related to fidelity. In addition, many people connect it with sympathy, harmony, friendship and trust.Security: Blue is considered to have some influence in reducing street crimes. A relationship has even been found between blue lights and a reduction in suicides. Regarding these possible effects of blue, it is worth clarifying that the scientific data is not yet conclusive.Creativity: A study carried out by Ceylan, Dul, & Aytac (2008) indicates that cold colors enhance creativity in the workplace, allowing new ideas to be generated. These positive effects may be a consequence of the calm that these types of colors generate.Productivity: Color and productivity at work have long been associated, however, the scientific evidence is inconclusive. In this order of ideas, a color scheme that mixes neutral and blue tones improves office conditions, which could have an impact on productivity.Welfare: According to a systematic review on the effects of color in the work environment, blue, like green, is associated with feelings of well-being.Performance: blue also correlates with cognitive performance. A study on color and alertness has revealed that blue light enhances the perception of alertness and improves performance in activities that require attention.

According to its shades, other things that the color blue means in psychology are the following:

Sky blue: generosity, peace, security and stillness.Dark: honesty, prudence or moderation, order, seriousness and stability.Marine: infinity, commitment, fidelity, sacred and royalty.Turquoise: creativity, mental clarity, introspection, balance and emotional control.

This color has been used to decorate and illuminate many places in different contexts of life. His relationship with wisdom, purity and respect They make it a stimulus in academic and spiritual environments.

What does the color blue mean in the marketing?

Although everyone resists it to a greater or lesser extent, the truth is that the marketing It is one of the areas where communication has the greatest impact. And, precisely, blue is the most suitable color to improve communicationsince it transmits positive qualities and is one of the colors preferred by the greatest number of people.

Companies trust the color blue to give an image of productivity and security to clients. On the other hand, its close relationship with stability, trust and knowledge makes blue an ideal color for products related to health and science.

Research from the Journal of Business Research shows that consumers prefer blue interiors in fashion stores. Additionally, this color was associated with:

more favorable evaluationsgreater emotionalitygreater patronage intentionsincreased purchase intention

Blue is related to competence, as it is linked to trust, intelligence, efficiency, communication, duty and logic. It’s more, can have a positive impact on how a brand’s competitiveness is perceived.

Blue and spirituality

What the color blue means in psychology is not the same as what it alludes to in spirituality. If we move on to more abstract and symbolic themes, spirituality is one of the aspects of the human being that draws the most from what the color blue means. And it is directly related to the mental world, imagination and inspiration..

For example, in the Bible blue is associated with obedience to the divine and the eternal, that is, with the commandments. In fact, the tables of the ten commandments were made of sapphire.

Throughout spiritual traditions, the color blue has been associated with connection and divine energy. It is considered the symbol of purity, truth and peace. Many people think that this color can open spaces of communication with the cosmos.

On the other hand, in different cultures, blue is used to promote peace and harmony in spiritual ceremonies and rituals. In addition, They relate it to the healing and purification of the soul and body.

The color blue in different cultures

Living in a limited social ecosystem often makes us believe that the world is more homogeneous than it really is. You don’t have to look up too far to find very different worlds in terms of the use of color. Here are some examples of what the color blue means in the psychology of other cultures:

Chinese culture: Blue represents healing and harmony, although it is sometimes related to evil.Muslim Culture: Blue is the color of the protection of the sky and economic power.Indigenous cultures of South America: Within the enormous variety of mythologies and peoples that exist on this continent, blue is often related to the sacred and the spiritual world.Nahuas: Blue was the color of the south and of Huitzilopochtli, the founder of Tenochtitlán.

On the other hand, In ancient cultures, such as the Egyptian, the color blue was the representative of temperance and wisdom within humans.. In Ancient Greece it was the color of the gods who lived in the sky, like Zeus, who wore a mantle of this shade.

Conclusion

Blue is a cold color that evokes the serenity of a clear sky. However, its psychological meaning goes beyond its physical perception. It is believed to be associated with fidelity, security, creativity, well-beingtrust, purity and divine connection.

What the color blue means in psychology varies from culture to culture. So it has received different meanings, ranging from peace to healing and sacredness. Its multiple facets and tones generate a wide range of emotions and behavioral responses that influence one’s perception of it and the world.

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