What does the color blue mean in psychology?

If we observe the Earth from space, it is very easy to guess why it is also called the blue planet.

It is obviously the high presence of seas and oceans in our country, occupying these three quarters of the world. But if we see it blue it is not because of the water itself, but because of how our eyes perceive the refraction and absorption of light.

Color has had great implications on a symbolic level since ancient times, and today it is known even on a symbolic level. scientific that the perception of a specific color can have effects on a psychic level both in ourselves and in others beings. What does the color blue mean in psychology? We are going to find out throughout this article.

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What is this color?

The color blue is one of the primary colors that the human being is capable of perceiving, and one of those that one of the three types of cones that we have in our eye is capable of detecting directly. It is important to note that color is not an entity or property per se of light, but rather

an effect of the perception of its refraction in objects. Thus, things are not blue but we perceive them blue.

Specifically, we could consider that the color blue is the perception through the vision of the reflection of light with a wavelength between 460 and 482 nm, actually including a wide range of hues depending on how much it mixes with the other basic colors.

What does the color blue mean in psychology?

The color blue has and has always had a great effect on the human psyche, largely because of the symbolism and association of color with elements that we perceive of said color and that generate emotional experiences for us concrete. Specifically, the blue color is usually linked to water in almost all its forms, especially seas and oceans, as well as rain. It also highlights its association with the color of the sky.

These associations are, in fact, the ones that usually give it its meaning both positively and negatively. Generally, light blue tends to have a more innocent and pure symbolism. (sky blue, like morning or calm water) while dark blue is more related to maturity and hardness (more typical of storms, waves and dusk).

These effects and their possible practical application are studied in what is known as color psychology. Within this, it has been observed that blue is usually linked to introspection, shyness and tolerance, but probably its best known link is with the idea of ​​serenity and calm. It is one of the colors most related to tranquility and control of the situation, as well as peace, understanding and protection. It is also linked to caring for others and trust and credibility. Lighter tones are frequently associated with innocence and generosity, while darker tones are related to intelligence, power and knowing how to be.

Likewise, blue is usually linked to mental and emotional stability, as well as reason (also intelligence) and a way of facing rational reality. It has been observed that the contemplation of blue favors the control and deepening of the breath, as well as that it helps in meditation processes. It also seems to favor creativity and cordiality, as well as understanding between people.

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Other meanings

Other concepts that a large part of the world symbolizes with this color are freedom, loyalty, harmony, fidelity, seriousness and truth. The color blue is also associated with strength and authority, physical energy, intelligence and sport. Likewise, it has traditionally been associated with masculinity, modernity and technological development.

On the other hand, and like the rest of colors, blue can also have negative connotations or that make everyday life more difficult. For example, as has been said, it is associated with the capacity for introspection and control. But this also links it with taking these to excess: especially dark colorations are associated with hyper-controlled behavior and a lack of spontaneity. It is also associated with self-centeredness and distancing, as well as concealment and not revealing one's own identity or weaknesses.

It is not uncommon for the color blue to identify rigid and conservative, melancholic and emotional people. In the field of state of mind, it is common then that there is a link between blue and sadness or depression, as well as passivity.

Practical utilities

Knowledge of these effects on the human psyche can be very useful, since it can used to promote specific emotional states and help improve mood and health mental.

For example, along with white it is usually used in hospitals (especially in the areas dedicated to children), schools and meditation centers, yoga and in the practice of relaxation activities. It is common for it to also appear in the common and rest areas of offices and offices of different types of professionals. In sports it is quite common. It is also used in bedrooms, where it is linked to a greater perception of tranquility and facilitates sleep. Also in the kitchen, where it makes it easier to eat less.

In a less innocent and more interested way, it is also often used in the world of advertising and marketing for these same reasons. Many brands use it because of its connection with credibility, truth and poweras well as its association with leadership. In the same way and due to the above, it is also common to use it in different shades in different political events and electoral campaigns.

Blue in other cultures

So far we have discussed the role and value of the color blue from the point of view of Western psychology. However, it must be borne in mind that blue can acquire different shades depending on the culture in which we are.

This color receives an important consideration in many religions. Examples of this are Egypt or India, where it is considered sacred to the point that in the Hindu religion the god Krishna (one of the main and most important deities of his pantheon, a symbol of love and care but also of severity) has the skin of said colour. Judaism usually link it to holiness, as well as Christianity (for example, the Virgin's clothes are usually depicted blue).

In Muslim countries blue is considered a color linked to protection as it is the color of the sky, as well as economic power. Indigenous peoples of South America usually link it with the spiritual and the sacred, being part of the clothing of some of their most important gods.

In China it is linked to healing and harmony, being able to symbolize wood and being considered a color of good fortune. However, blue is sometimes frowned upon and associated with pornography and even evil. In fact, formerly people with blue eyes were frowned upon in that country, being considered unnatural. In Korea its meaning is related to death, being in fact the color of mourning. In Eastern Europe it is usually linked to immortality. In Belgium, unlike in most of the world where it is associated with the masculine, it is associated with girls.