Colors in Nature and Meaning of Colors II

This is the second (2nd) part of the four-part series on Color in Nature and Meaning of Colors, featuring Red, Pink, Yellow, and Gold. Part I, III, and IV can be found here:

Colors in Nature I (featuring Blue, Green, Turquoise, and Silver)
Colors in Nature III (featuring Orange, Purple, Lavender, and Black)
Colors in Nature IV (featuring Gray, White, Ivory, Brown, and Beige)
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“Maybe Next Time” by P0RG
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RED

“Frozen lady” by Daemonoropsis

A stimulant, red is the hottest of the warm colors. Studies show that red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure. The expression “seeing red” indicates anger and may stem not only from the stimulus of the color but from the natural flush (redness) of the cheeks, a physical reaction to anger, increased blood pressure, or physical exertion.

Red is power, hence the red power tie for business people and the red carpet for celebrities and VIPs. Flashing red lights denote danger or emergency. Stop signs and stop lights are red to get the drivers’ attention and alert them to the dangers of the intersection.

In some cultures, red denotes purity, joy, and celebration. Red is the color of happiness and prosperity in China and may be used to attract good luck. Red is often the color worn by brides in the East while it is the color of mourning in South Africa. In Russia the Bolsheviks used a red flag when they overthrew the Tsar, thus red became associated with communism. Many national flags use red.
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“Golden sommer day” by Floriandra

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PINK

“Pleu in Pink” by grace-note

While red stirs up passion and action, studies have shown that large amounts of pink can create physical weakness in people. Perhaps there is a tie-in between this physical reaction and the color’s association with the so-called “weaker” sex.

In some cultures, such as the US, pink is the color of little girls. It represents sugar and spice and everything nice. Pink for men goes in and out of style. Most people still think of pink as a feminine, delicate color.

Both red and pink denote love but while red is hot passion, pink is romantic and charming. Use pink to convey playfulness (hot pink flamingoes) and tenderness (pastel pinks). Multiple shades of pink and light purple or other pastels used together maintain the soft, delicate, and playful nature of pink. Add strength with darker shades of pinks and purple and burgundy.
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“The Pink” by tobyedwards

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YELLOW

“Yellow” by spiffyramen

Yellow is sunshine. It is a warm color that, like red, has conflicting symbolism. On the one hand it denotes happiness and joy but on the other hand yellow is the color of cowardice and deceit.

Yellow is one of the warm colors. Because of the high visibility of bright yellow, it is often used for hazard signs and some emergency vehicles. Yellow is cheerful.

For years yellow ribbons were worn as a sign of hope as women waited from their men to come marching home from war. Today, they are still used to welcome home loved ones. Its use for hazard signs creates an association between yellow and danger, although not quite as dangerous as red.

If someone is yellow it means they are a coward so yellow can have a negative meaning in some cultures. Yellow is for mourning in Egypt and actors of the Middle Ages wore yellow to signify the dead. Yet yellow has also represented courage (Japan), merchants (India), and peace.
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“When Sunflowers Speak “ by kkart

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GOLD

“pure gold” by Wilithin

A cousin to yellow (and orange and brown) is gold. While green may be the color of money (U.S. money, that is) gold is the color of riches and extravagance. The color gold shares many of the attributes of yellow. It is a warm color that can be both bright and cheerful as well as somber and traditional.

Because gold is a precious metal, the color gold is associated with wealth and prosperity. While all that glitters is not gold, the color still suggests grandeur, and perhaps on the downside, the excesses of the rich. Add a small amount of metallic gold ink to a project for a special, rich touch. Bright gold catches the eye while darker subdued shades of gold lend richness and warmth.
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“Morning Gold” by gilad

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Colors text source: ABOUT.com

Related articles

• How to Wear Hot Pink (beso.com)
• The New Hue for 2011 (online.wsj.com)
• Ask Bel: Think Pink (blogs.smarter.com)

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Tagged as: Bolshevik, color, Pantone, Purple, Red, South Africa, Tsar, Variations of pink