| Feeling blue. Seeing red. A silver lining. All of these | | | | skills. |
| phrases came about because of the meanings that | | | | GREEN Meanings: harmony, balance, growth, tradition, |
| can be attributed to colors. Maybe you've always | | | | focus, jealousy |
| wondered why certain colors appeal to you or often | | | | Uses: calm nerves, increase compassion, restore |
| find their way into your artwork. As someone that | | | | mental and emotional balance |
| creates mandalas for both art as well as therapy, I | | | | Green falls basically in the middle of the color spectrum |
| have found that taking the time to analyze my color | | | | making balance its chief interpretation. Feng shui |
| choices has provided me with great insight on where I | | | | experts taut the healing and restorative powers of the |
| stand both mentally and spiritually. | | | | color green, often using different shades to maximize |
| Below is a quick reference guide you can use to | | | | its healing effects. |
| gather more awareness from your own artwork or | | | | BLUE Meanings: truth, depth, loyalty, serenity, empathy |
| mandala designs. Each color discussed has a list of | | | | Uses: soothe, cleanse, induce calm and peaceful |
| 'meanings' that you can pull from when trying to | | | | feelings |
| interpret your work along with a list of 'uses' that may | | | | Artists and poets (and other sensitive individuals) are |
| help you choose colors for healing or as a form art | | | | drawn to this color. Interior designers use blue in |
| therapy. While this list is far from exhaustive, it does | | | | designing bedrooms because of its peaceful qualities. |
| tap into the core properties. If you want a more | | | | Dark blue is often used in uniforms because of the |
| thorough explanation of color, I suggest you take a | | | | qualities of truth and respect the color induces. |
| look at The Color Answer Book by Leatrice Eiesman. | | | | PURPLE Meanings: spirituality, royalty, originality, |
| RED Meanings: energy, passion, power, desire, intensity, | | | | imagination, mystery |
| anger | | | | Uses: meditation, inspiration, psychic healing, connection |
| Uses: combat depression, increase appetite, attract | | | | with higher power |
| attention, increase energy, achieve goals | | | | Purple is associated with the crown chakra; the one |
| In terms of energy, a person with a red aura (like most | | | | that links us to the infinite consciousness, The Universe, |
| teenagers) are often found to be impulsive, stimulating, | | | | and/or God. Not surprisingly, purple has a long history |
| freedom seeking individuals. Red is used in fast food | | | | of use in a variety of religious ceremonies from the |
| restaurants to make patrons eat quickly and to | | | | Christianity to Hinduism. |
| increase their appetites. | | | | WHITE Meanings: reverence, purity, innocence, |
| ORANGE Meanings: creativity, confidence, increased | | | | simplicity, cleanliness |
| intuition, pleasure, adventure | | | | Uses: purify the body and mind |
| Uses: increase creativity and inner dialogue, boost | | | | The significance of white in a dream is believed to be |
| metabolism, elevate mood | | | | its representation of a hope fulfilled or the attainment |
| As another warm color, orange also has some | | | | of spiritual enlightenment. White is a yin or healing color |
| intensity and energy in its meaning. Color therapists use | | | | used in Eastern cultures to induce calm. |
| orange to open up a persons mind, allowing creative | | | | BLACK Meanings: elegance, power, strength, |
| ideas to flow freely. | | | | achievement |
| YELLOW Meanings: cheerful, bright, optimism, warm, | | | | Uses: internal strength, power in career, self control |
| open, innovative | | | | In the fashion industry, black equates to wealth and |
| Uses: increase mental clarity, release of problems, | | | | sophistication i.e. tuxedos, limousines, the little black |
| promote enjoyment | | | | dress, etc. The color is also used to portray authority, |
| Not surprisingly, individuals with yellow auras are known | | | | i.e. judge's robes, priest's attire, and a black belt in |
| for their sunny dispositions. Yellow crystals are often | | | | martial arts, but too much black can be oppressive. |
| used sharpen memory and increase decision making | | | | |