What does the color lilac mean in psychology?

The meaning of the color lilac has a strong emotional imprint and It is very subject to the conception of each culture. Therefore, its interpretation is very subjective.

For example, while in the East it is associated with spiritual transformation and elevation, in the West it is usually linked to creativity, individuality and social struggle. Furthermore, as it is formed from the mixture of a cold color and a warm one, it shares meanings specific to the two chromatic groups.

Have you been curious about this color? Continue reading to find its emotional and psychological connotations depending on each sociocultural context.

Its psychological meaning

Psychology has studied in depth the effect of colors on emotions, thoughts and decisions. The visual perception of colors activates different brain structures related to emotions and personal and cultural experiences.

According to the German sociologist and psychologist Eva Heller, Cold tones evoke feelings of excitement and intensity while warm tones convey tranquility and reflection. Along these same lines, the author of Color psychology states that Lilac is a color related to aesthetics and femininity.

Other related meanings are elegance, extroversion and open-mindedness.. In turn, it is associated with maturity, as well as emotional balance and the empathy that fosters care for others.

The value of lilac according to culture

Culture and social environment largely determine the effect that colors have on emotionality. Therefore, below, you have a variety of interpretations that are found in different sociocultural moments:

Ancient civilizations

In ancient Rome, lilac was a sign of status and prestige. An interesting fact is that, at that time, members of high society were the only ones who had the possibility of wearing clothing dyed with this color, which made it an exclusive and distinctive element.

Likewise, in Egypt it was also associated with royalty and nobility since the pigment to obtain this color was extracted from the shell of the Murex sea snail, an expensive and valuable resource for the time.

Western culture

Within Western culture, lilac takes on rich and diverse meanings, with great influence from the Catholic religion. In Europe, it is associated with values ​​such as humility, penance and Lent, relating to introspection. In addition, it is recognized as a color with enormous artistic relevance, representing creativity, imagination and spirituality.

In South American countries, violet derivatives are a symbol of joy thanks to the spectacular blooming of numerous purple flowers during the harvest season. The color lilac is used in some South American countries with different meanings and contexts, but it is true that in general terms it is very close to royalty, nobility and justice. Likewise, it is strictly related to the creative and spiritual sphere, as well as intuition.

On the other hand, lilac has gained great relevance on a social level in recent years, becoming the representative color of feminism and being one of the colors present in the flag of the LGTBIQ+ movement. From this, it is understood that in current Western culture it is used as an expression of struggle and empowerment.

Oriental culture

In the East, the color lilac is identified with transformation and spiritual elevation. At the same time, and just as it happened in South American countries, it is a color strictly linked to the creative and spiritual sphere. Even in certain Eastern cultures, the color lilac is considered to have healing and spiritually healing properties. In certain Buddhist and Hindu traditions, the color lilac is used as a color for meditation and connection with the spiritual world.

In China, purple and lilac represent spiritual awareness, healing and abundance. For this reason, they are associated with wellness and self-care practices, reflecting their value in general health.

On the other hand, in Thailand it is the color of mourning. When a loved one dies, it is common for people to wear lilac as a symbol of respect and mourning. Meanwhile, in Japan it represents luxury and aristocracy, as it was used by royalty as a symbol of high status and sophistication.

Uses of lilac

Where it has been used the most has been in the field of marketing for its association with luxury, creativity and knowledge. Therefore, it is easy to find in stationery products and art-related items (from tablets from professional drawing to craft pieces).

It also plays an important role in the marketing digital. A study published in Tourism Management reveals that images with bright and saturated tones tend to be more popular among users of the social network Instagram. Thus, colors such as orange, blue, violet and their derivatives have a significant impact on the popularity of publications.

In addition, lilac, along with pink and other warm colors in pastel tones, finds one of its most common uses in interior decoration.

However, some experienced sales professionals are reluctant to use violet and its derivatives due to its short wavelength range. Although it is a color that conveys deep emotions, it is not flashy or attracts attention from a distance.

The broad meaning of the color lilac

As we see, it is a tone rich in symbols and nuances. The meaning of the color lilac reflects its versatility and the influence it has in different cultural and temporal contexts.

It evokes a wide variety of emotions and symbolism, making it a more than intriguing and significant color for humanity.

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