Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBlue PsychologyFeelingsMeaningsOverview
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Table of Contents
Blue Psychology
Feelings
Meanings
Overview
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How does the color blue make you feel? We have long believed certain colors can evoke differentmoodsand feelings, and some research has supported the idea that colors can have psychological effects.
Blue is a color often found in nature, such as the pale blue of a daytime sky or the rich dark blue of a deep pool of water. This is perhaps why we often describe blue ascalmand serene. Yet, as a cool color, blue can sometimes seem icy, distant, or even cold.
Learn more about the psychology of the color blue, including various color blue meanings related to culture, spirituality, and more.
The Psychology of Blue
A survey spanning 10 countries found that blue is the most popular “favorite color” for people globally, with men preferring blue more often than women (40% versus 24%, respectively, among subjects from the United States).But what impact does this color have on us psychologically?
Color psychology tells us a lot about the effects that certain colors can have on a person’s mood, emotions, and behaviors. Here’s what we know about the psychology of blue:
Blue can alsoaffect a person’s physiological functions.For instance, research has found that the color blue can reduce a person’s heart rate, causing a “sleepy effect.“It can also lower body temperature.
Blue Feelings
Look at the use of blue in the image that accompanies this article. How does blue make you feel? Do you associate blue with certain qualities or situations? Also, consider how blue is used in language: blue moon, blue Monday, blue blood, the blues, and blue ribbon.
Individual experiences have an importanteffect on the moodsthat colors can create. If you associate the color blue with a vivacious and lively friend, you might see it as a high-energy color that evokes a sense of excitement.
The Color Blue Meanings
The meaning we assign to the color blue can vary based on several factors, some of which include our culture, spirituality, symbolism, and more.
Cultural Meanings
Spiritual Meanings
Blue is often considered a spiritual color as its hues make up the sky, which is representative of heaven. Blue is also the primary color of the oceans and seas, and many people feel connected to these bodies of water spiritually.
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Symbolic Meanings
Blue symbolizes trust, responsibility, dedication, and bravery. Several law enforcement agencies in America don blue uniforms as this color is seen as being more authoritative (especially when the hue is dark) and often evokesfeelings of security.
In the workplace, the blue throat chakra is associated with higher levels of employee loyalty and goal orientation.It also symbolizes calmness, dependability, health, and healing.
Other Meanings
Some assign the color blue with other meanings based on the context in which it is used.
Overview of Color Psychology
The idea that color affects us psychologically is not a new concept as it first emerged in 1810 when the German poet and scientist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe penned theTheory of Colours.Since then,color psychologyhas been expanded upon as researchers seek to explain the impact it has on how we think, feel, and behave.
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Keep in Mind
While exploring the psychology of color can be interesting, it is also important to remember that reactions to color can also be highly personal. Past experiences can play a role in shaping how people feel about and respond to different colors.
While some people find blue to be a sad or somber color, others may interpret it as peaceful or inspiring. Pay attention to how the color blue makes you feel and consider some of the different influences that may have influenced your feelings.
Press Play to Learn More About How Colors Affect the Mind and Body
14 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Elliot AJ.Color and psychological functioning: a review of theoretical and empirical work.Front Psychol. 2015;6:368. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00368Jordan W.Why is blue the world’s favorite color?YouGov America.AL-Ayash A, Kane RT, Smith D, Green-Armytage P.The influence of color on student emotion, heart rate, and performance in learning environments.Color Res Appl. 2015;41(2):196-205. doi:10.1002/col.21949Savavibool N, Gatersleben B, Moorapun C.The effects of colour in work environment: A systematic review.Asian J Behav Stud. 2018;3(13):149-160. doi:10.21834/ajbes.v3i13.152Schlintl C, Schienle A.Effects of coloring food images on the propensity to eat: A placebo approach with color suggestions.Front Psychol. 2020;11:589826. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.589826Suzuki M, Kimura R, Kido Y, Inoue T, Moritani T, Nagai N.Color of hot soup modulates postprandial satiety, thermal sensation, and body temperature in young women.Appetite. 2017;114:209-216. doi:10.1016/j.appet. 2017.03.041Alnasuan A.Color psychology.Am Res J Human Soc Sci. 2016;2016:1-6.Priyal VV, Ramkumar N.Effect of Aura-Chakra, yoga and spirituality on an individual’s performance in the workplace.Studies Ethno-Med. 2016;10(2):166-177. doi:10.1080/09735070.2016.11905485Mendelson D.Uniform color theory. Security Management.Xu L, Xu M.Comparison on wedding culture between China and Western countries. 2018 8th International Conference on Education, Management, Computer and Society.Finlay J, Franke T, McKay H, Sims-Gould J.Therapeutic landscapes and wellbeing in later life: Impacts of blue and green spaces for older adults.Health & Place. 2015;34:97-106. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.05.001MSU Extension.Real Colors personality temperament tool - Part 5: Blue. Michigan State University.Elliot AJ.Color and psychological functioning: a review of theoretical and empirical work.Front Psychol. 2015;6:368. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00368Gupta R.Color therapy in mental health and well being.Int J All Res Educ Sci Methods. 2021;9(2):1068-1076.
14 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Elliot AJ.Color and psychological functioning: a review of theoretical and empirical work.Front Psychol. 2015;6:368. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00368Jordan W.Why is blue the world’s favorite color?YouGov America.AL-Ayash A, Kane RT, Smith D, Green-Armytage P.The influence of color on student emotion, heart rate, and performance in learning environments.Color Res Appl. 2015;41(2):196-205. doi:10.1002/col.21949Savavibool N, Gatersleben B, Moorapun C.The effects of colour in work environment: A systematic review.Asian J Behav Stud. 2018;3(13):149-160. doi:10.21834/ajbes.v3i13.152Schlintl C, Schienle A.Effects of coloring food images on the propensity to eat: A placebo approach with color suggestions.Front Psychol. 2020;11:589826. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.589826Suzuki M, Kimura R, Kido Y, Inoue T, Moritani T, Nagai N.Color of hot soup modulates postprandial satiety, thermal sensation, and body temperature in young women.Appetite. 2017;114:209-216. doi:10.1016/j.appet. 2017.03.041Alnasuan A.Color psychology.Am Res J Human Soc Sci. 2016;2016:1-6.Priyal VV, Ramkumar N.Effect of Aura-Chakra, yoga and spirituality on an individual’s performance in the workplace.Studies Ethno-Med. 2016;10(2):166-177. doi:10.1080/09735070.2016.11905485Mendelson D.Uniform color theory. Security Management.Xu L, Xu M.Comparison on wedding culture between China and Western countries. 2018 8th International Conference on Education, Management, Computer and Society.Finlay J, Franke T, McKay H, Sims-Gould J.Therapeutic landscapes and wellbeing in later life: Impacts of blue and green spaces for older adults.Health & Place. 2015;34:97-106. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.05.001MSU Extension.Real Colors personality temperament tool - Part 5: Blue. Michigan State University.Elliot AJ.Color and psychological functioning: a review of theoretical and empirical work.Front Psychol. 2015;6:368. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00368Gupta R.Color therapy in mental health and well being.Int J All Res Educ Sci Methods. 2021;9(2):1068-1076.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Elliot AJ.Color and psychological functioning: a review of theoretical and empirical work.Front Psychol. 2015;6:368. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00368Jordan W.Why is blue the world’s favorite color?YouGov America.AL-Ayash A, Kane RT, Smith D, Green-Armytage P.The influence of color on student emotion, heart rate, and performance in learning environments.Color Res Appl. 2015;41(2):196-205. doi:10.1002/col.21949Savavibool N, Gatersleben B, Moorapun C.The effects of colour in work environment: A systematic review.Asian J Behav Stud. 2018;3(13):149-160. doi:10.21834/ajbes.v3i13.152Schlintl C, Schienle A.Effects of coloring food images on the propensity to eat: A placebo approach with color suggestions.Front Psychol. 2020;11:589826. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.589826Suzuki M, Kimura R, Kido Y, Inoue T, Moritani T, Nagai N.Color of hot soup modulates postprandial satiety, thermal sensation, and body temperature in young women.Appetite. 2017;114:209-216. doi:10.1016/j.appet. 2017.03.041Alnasuan A.Color psychology.Am Res J Human Soc Sci. 2016;2016:1-6.Priyal VV, Ramkumar N.Effect of Aura-Chakra, yoga and spirituality on an individual’s performance in the workplace.Studies Ethno-Med. 2016;10(2):166-177. doi:10.1080/09735070.2016.11905485Mendelson D.Uniform color theory. Security Management.Xu L, Xu M.Comparison on wedding culture between China and Western countries. 2018 8th International Conference on Education, Management, Computer and Society.Finlay J, Franke T, McKay H, Sims-Gould J.Therapeutic landscapes and wellbeing in later life: Impacts of blue and green spaces for older adults.Health & Place. 2015;34:97-106. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.05.001MSU Extension.Real Colors personality temperament tool - Part 5: Blue. Michigan State University.Elliot AJ.Color and psychological functioning: a review of theoretical and empirical work.Front Psychol. 2015;6:368. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00368Gupta R.Color therapy in mental health and well being.Int J All Res Educ Sci Methods. 2021;9(2):1068-1076.
Elliot AJ.Color and psychological functioning: a review of theoretical and empirical work.Front Psychol. 2015;6:368. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00368
Jordan W.Why is blue the world’s favorite color?YouGov America.
AL-Ayash A, Kane RT, Smith D, Green-Armytage P.The influence of color on student emotion, heart rate, and performance in learning environments.Color Res Appl. 2015;41(2):196-205. doi:10.1002/col.21949
Savavibool N, Gatersleben B, Moorapun C.The effects of colour in work environment: A systematic review.Asian J Behav Stud. 2018;3(13):149-160. doi:10.21834/ajbes.v3i13.152
Schlintl C, Schienle A.Effects of coloring food images on the propensity to eat: A placebo approach with color suggestions.Front Psychol. 2020;11:589826. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.589826
Suzuki M, Kimura R, Kido Y, Inoue T, Moritani T, Nagai N.Color of hot soup modulates postprandial satiety, thermal sensation, and body temperature in young women.Appetite. 2017;114:209-216. doi:10.1016/j.appet. 2017.03.041
Alnasuan A.Color psychology.Am Res J Human Soc Sci. 2016;2016:1-6.
Priyal VV, Ramkumar N.Effect of Aura-Chakra, yoga and spirituality on an individual’s performance in the workplace.Studies Ethno-Med. 2016;10(2):166-177. doi:10.1080/09735070.2016.11905485
Mendelson D.Uniform color theory. Security Management.
Xu L, Xu M.Comparison on wedding culture between China and Western countries. 2018 8th International Conference on Education, Management, Computer and Society.
Finlay J, Franke T, McKay H, Sims-Gould J.Therapeutic landscapes and wellbeing in later life: Impacts of blue and green spaces for older adults.Health & Place. 2015;34:97-106. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.05.001
MSU Extension.Real Colors personality temperament tool - Part 5: Blue. Michigan State University.
Gupta R.Color therapy in mental health and well being.Int J All Res Educ Sci Methods. 2021;9(2):1068-1076.
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