Just like images and words colors can communicate meanings. The symbolism of color is no scientific given. Each individual brings their personal, cultural background and archetypal knowledge to interpret colors.
In art therapy it is not the art therapist that judges someones art work. It is the client himself that gives meaning to his work and often colors are used to express feelings and highlight events.
In an art therapy session a client can be asked about the "why" of choosing certain colors.
Is there a meaning behind a specific color or does it evoke certain feelings?
Sometimes the client does not really know why and it just felt right to use a certain color. The color picking process happens unconsciously but might still play an important role.
Sometimes the client consciously uses a specific color to reinforce a message in his art work.
There is no right or wrong in choosing colors, as long as it feels right for the client. Ultimately in art therapy we want to create an occasion for the client to be free without any judgement and borders.
In literature there is a lot to be found about color therapy. As already mentioned there is no such thing as the scientific "truth" about the meaning of colors as it is strongly influenced by someones personal experiences.
However I do believe colors can have an influence on our behaviour. Think for instance in interior design. With serene colors such as white and pastels you can create a peaceful atmosphere wereas bright colors such as red, yellow or even fluo adversely energize a room.
Below I will highlight a few color associations that I found in literature. Maybe they sound familiar to you. Universally people associate the following colors with the below mentioned things. My writing is based on theories from Jung, Jolanda Jacobi and Goethe. Each color composes many different tones. Those different tones can also recall other associations and meanings. For instance generally we associate the color green with nature, but a yellow-green tone we might associate with poison or lightening.
Associations with red:
Sensations: warm, hot, restless
Expression of: excitement, sexuality, passion, rebellion, anger, danger, power, energy, vitality, love
Symbolism: red roses, fire, apples, strawberries, blood, pain, heat, lipstick, heart
Associations with blue:
Sensations: refreshing, calm
Expression of: quietness, freedom, dream, past, melancholic, relaxation
Symbolism: water, sky, heaven, ocean, ice, ghost, coldness, nature, depth, spirituality, breathing, air
Associations with yellow:
Expression of joy, happiness, optimism
New life (for instance Easter egg)
Symbolism: lemons, sunshine, beach, desert, insects (bees, wasps), bananas, melons, tiger, giraf, lion, corn, gold, autumn, summer, sunrise, morning
Associations with green:
Expression of growth, new beginnings, wisdom, patience, healing
Symbolism: forrest, field, nature, green landscape, vegetation, Spring, food, health
Associations with orange:
Expression of energy, activity, happiness, vitality, good mood
Symbolism: South, warmth, oranges, signalisation, sunsets, fire, flame
Associations with white:
Expression of light, hope, new beginning, new life
Symbolism: clouds, peace, snow, diamonds, pearls, moon, stones, holy spirit, chalk, lamb, dove, goose, swan, certain flowers, egg, unicorn, birth, salt
Associations with violet:
Expression of mystery, magic, nostalgia, sadness, religion
Symbolism: butterfly, bird, sunset, ocean animals, certain fruits (plums), flowers
Associations with black:
Expression of mystery, magic, nostalgia, sadness, religion
Symbolism: cave, dead, night, grief, power, anger, chaos, earth, underworld, eros
You can have as many pencils as you have, if you don't use them, then everything remains black and white.
I encourage my clients to use colors to express themselves. It enriches their art-making experience and makes it easier to talk about their art work.
What are you true colors?
Best wishes,
Laura
Founder & Art Therapist
