What is your favorite color? What colors are in your bed spread? What color are the highway exit signs closest to your house? What are the two most used colors in advertising? How observant do you consider yourself? Did you know that the colors in your world have meaning? That they can affect one's mood, behaviors, and even give insight into one's individual personality? In fact, colors in our everyday lives can even affect us in our sleep, presenting themselves in numerous variations as we dream. Does this notion sound familiar to you? And have you ever wondered "why"?
In the following analysis, I will attempt to provide you- the reader- with the tools for remembering and/or discovering your individual answers to the previous questions, whilst defining the concept of "color psychology", specifically regarding how colors translate in one's dreams, and perhaps, why one even dreams in color in the first place.
My very first memory is in vivid color: I specifically remember pulling myself up into a standing position while toddling around in a blue play-pin. I also remember my earliest dream: I was probably five years old and standing on one of those merry-go-round-like playground toys, the bulky, steel ones that were sectioned into a pinwheel of primary colors. My mother was standing to my left, with long, black hair- much like mine today- and wearing a peasant blouse and bell-bottomed denim pants. She was pushing the teetering toy by its brilliant red bars so that I could keep going faster and faster. I remember that the scene was a fall afternoon, and yellow and orange leaves mottled the ground around Mama's feet.
Colors can add even more meaning to the themes and subjects of one's dreams. Adding color theory to dream interpretation enhances understanding, unfolding additional facets to the dream symbols of which one may not be aware when he or she is awake. What about those who don't dream in color? Not to worry! Dreams that remind one of old black and white movie scenes, or contain random, grayscale images hold their own specific meanings. Each person's dream meanings and colors- or the lack thereof- are unique to the individual. So, why not learn how to interpret them?
To begin, what is color? In 1666, English scientist Sir Isaac Newton discovered that when pure white light is passed through a prism, it separates into all of the visible colors. Newton also found that each color is comprised of a single wavelength and cannot be separated any further into other colors (Van Wagner, 2008).
Upon further demonstration, Newton discovered that light colors could be combined to create other colors. For example, red light mixed with yellow light creates an orange color. The color resulting from the mixing of two colors is called a "metamer". Furthermore, Newton found that some colors, such as orange and blue, cancel each other out when combined, resulting in a pure, white light. Thus, these competing colors are known as "complementary" colors. On a color wheel, complementary colors can be found directly across from one another.
Before consulting the following dream color definitions and symbolism, it is important to first consider one’s own personal and distinct associations with specific colors. Does the color remind you of a particular person? A body part? An object or a childhood toy? For example, the color yellow may remind one of the childhood school bus in which he or she rode each afternoon. The following definitions explain what each color symbolizes while dreaming, and should therefore help aid in dream interpretation. So, warm your coffee, pull up your chair, and have fun! I hope this analysis will help ignite a newfound interest in decoding your dreams...
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Red: Red is an indication of raw energy, force, vigor, intense passion, aggression, power, courage, and passion. The color red has deep emotional and spiritual connotations. Red is also the color of danger, shame, sexual impulses and urges. The phrase "seeing red" denotes anger. If this color is present in a dream, perhaps one needs to stop and closely consider his or her actions.
Maroon: The color maroon is symbolic of courage, bravery, heroism, and strength. If this color is present in a dream, it could mean that one may be feeling a sense of positive anticipation toward an unfolding situation in his or her life.
Burgundy: Seeing the color burgundy in a dream symbolizes wealth, success, and prosperity. It is indicative of one's potential power, a power that could be unrealized, or psychologically speaking, "below the surface".
Pink: Pink represents love, joy, sweetness, happiness, affection, kindness. Being in love or healing through love is also implied with this color. When pink occurs in a dream, one may be entertaining new love, pondering love lost, or savoring a life-long love.
Hot Pink: The appearance of hot pink color in a dream represents sexual and lustful connotations. (I'm sure Sigmund Freud had many opinions regarding the manifestation of the color hot pink in a dreamer's mind...)
Orange: Orange, in dreams, denotes hope, friendship, courtesy, vitality, sociability, and an outgoing nature. When this warm color appears in a dream, it may indicate the need to expand one's horizons and look into new interests.
Peach: In dreams, peach is the color of innocent love intertwined with wisdom.
Yellow: The color yellow has both positive and negative connotations. If the dream is a pleasant one, then the color yellow is symbolic of intellect, energy, agility, happiness, harmony, and wisdom. On the other hand, if the dream is an unpleasant one, then the color represents cowardice and sickness. One may have a fear of making- or an inability to make- a decision or take action. As a result, one could be experiencing many setbacks in his or her consciousness.
Gold: The golden color reflects one's spiritual rewards, richness, refinement and enhancement of your surroundings. Gold could suggest the broadening of one's horizons and/or adventures.
Green: Green signifies a positive change, good health, growth, fertility, healing, hope, vigor, vitality, peace, and serenity. Green is also symbolic of one's strive to gain recognition and establish one's independence. Money, wealth and jealousy are often associated with this color.
Dark green: indicates materialism, cheating, deceit, and/or difficulties with sharing. The color suggests the need to balance between one's masculine and feminine attributes.
Olive Green: The olive green color symbolizes natural wisdom and Zen. This rich color could signify the need to achieve peace in one's environment.
Turquoise: Turquoise is symbolic of healing power and natural energy. It is often associated with the sun, fire, and male power.
Teal: The color teal signifies trustworthiness, devotion and healing. It is also indicative of spiritual guidance and teacher qualities.
Blue: Blue represents truth, wisdom, heaven, eternity, devotion, tranquility, loyalty and openness. Perhaps one is expressing a desire to get away when he or she dreams blue. Furthermore, the presence of this color in one's dream, may symbolize his or her spiritual guide and optimism of the future. The person who dreams blue often has clarity of mind. Depending on the context of the dream, the color blue may also be a metaphor of "being blue" and feeling sad.
Indigo: Indigo implies spirituality and divine protection. It may also mean deceit. Hmmmm...
Violet: Violet denotes high spirituality, religious aspiration, purification, affection, gentleness, charm, and peacefulness. There is a sense of intuitive understanding and a feeling of intimacy when one dreams in violet.
Purple: Purple is indicative of devotion, healing abilities, loving, kindness, and compassion. It is also the color of royalty, high rank, and dignity.
Fuchsia: The color fuchsia represents one's connection to his or her spirituality and meditation. The color may imply that one is letting go of old attitudes and ready for change. This color is also associated with emotional stability.
Brown: Brown denotes worldliness, practicality, domestic and physical comfort, conservatism, and a materialistic character. Brown also represents the ground and earth. Dreaming in brown could suggest the need to get back to one's roots.
Beige: Beige represents the basics, the essentials and the barest form. It may also indicate one's neutral or unbiased position.
Gray: Gray indicates fear, fright, depression, ill health, ambivalence and confusion. When one dreams in grayscale, he or she may be feeling emotionally distant or detached.
Silver: Silver represents justice and purity. It is symbolic of some protective energy.
Black: Black symbolizes the unknown, unconscious, danger, mystery, darkness, death, mourning, hate or malice in dreams. If the feeling in the dream is one of joy, blackness could imply hidden spirituality and divine qualities. To dream in black and white, suggests that one needs to be more objective in formulating his or her decisions. The dreamer may be a little too unyielding in his or her thought process and thus needs to find some sort of balance between two opposing views. Consider the views and opinions of others. Alternatively, black and white dreams are a sign of depression or sadness. One may feel that there is not enough excitement in his or her life.
Ivory: The color ivory signifies superiority and slightly tainted purity.
White: White represents purity, perfection, peace, innocence, dignity, cleanliness, awareness, and new beginnings. One may be experiencing a reawakening or have a fresh outlook on life if he or she dreams in white. However, in Eastern cultures white is associated with death and mourning.
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Did any of the previous dream color interpretations apply to your recent dream(s)? Do you, perhaps, experience recurring dreams while you sleep? If you answered "yes", to either of these questions, then consider a recent dream and the objects, places, animals, and/or people involved. Were there implications of color within the dream(s)? Neutral tones or grayscale?
Even as a child, I have always dreamt in very vivid colors, a spectrum of scenes fit for Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory nearly every night. And I'd like to think that the wild images in my head as I sleep have significantly contributed to my adoration of color, art, cultures, and even influence my venture to become a psychologist. Personally, I feel as though this keen perception is a God-given gift which, in entertaining the idea of this research, I felt compelled to share with you- the reader-, family, and friends. For, after all, the latter two are the ones who have greatly encouraged me to "study what's inside my own head" before analyzing what's in theirs. God bless!
*Note to the reader: Please remember that the preceding content is meant for entertainment purposes only. The author does not wish to offend any individual's spiritual beliefs, and does not (necessarily) profess to colorful clairvoyant capabilities. ;)
This blog is dedicated to the "UOP Psych Girls". Thanks for letting me be all of the many- and sometimes disturbing- personalities I wish! And to my Mama, who taught me that the white crayon really wasn't "broken". I love you all...
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References:
Van Wagner, Kendra. (2008). "Color Psychology: How Colors Impact Moods, Feelings, and
Behaviors". Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/sensationandperception/a/colorpsych.htm
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