I've had a special relationship with color for as long as I can remember. When I was five, I loved red because it was the color of crisp, ripe apples, Santa Claus, and Dorothy's ruby red slippers. When I turned eight, I was captivated by blue, in deep rolling ocean water and the sky on a clear summer day. Ever since around the age of 13, I have been in a love affair with bright yellow. It reminds me of the burning sun, a pat of butter on warm toast, and blooming sunflowers. As I've gotten older, I've started to translate my love of color into my love of painting, and I absolutely appreciate the emotionally evocative power of different hues.
Everyone has a favorite color. Even if you think you don't have one, you are certainly drawn to some colors more than others. Blue is actually the most popular color in the world, while only 5 percent of people claim yellow as their favorite (which clearly means I stick out like a sore thumb). If you've ever wondered just what your favorite color says about you, then you're in the right place. The "psychology" of color is a real-life study into how the colors we gravitate toward show certain personality traits of ours. While color psychology is pseudo-science at best, it's still super interesting and really fun, so here we go.
If your favorite color is blue ...
It's likely that you are cool, calm, and collected. Blue's cool color properties bring about feelings of peacefulness and calm, which shows that you are able to handle stressful situations with an even-tempered approach. You also most likely value down time in your personal life.
If your favorite color is red ...
You're bold, passionate, and you aren't afraid to fully put yourself out there to make a killer impression. There's significant scientific evidence that both men and women are more attracted to a person in red than any other color, so you might put a high emphasis on your romantic life. You're extroverted, confident, and like to take risks.
If your favorite color is green ...
It's no secret that green is the color of cold hard cash, so it's likely that you put emphasis on money and security in your life. According to color psychology, those who love green feel a strong desire for security in every aspect of their life. You might be super concerned about putting your best foot forward, and there's a strong chance that you're a social butterfly.
If your favorite color is orange ...
You are likely friendly, easygoing, and creative. You like attention, and try hard to keep things lighthearted in your personal life. Studies have shown that those with a favorite color of orange are not as likely to marry, but never fear, you might just have a future of fun and high-spirited activities ahead of you.
If your favorite color is purple ...
If you're drawn to purple, you are definitely a unique person that follows their heart and doesn't get overly swayed by trends. You might have an affinity for mythology and fantasy, and although you might sometimes have your head in the clouds, people are drawn to your unconventional attributes.
If your favorite color is pink ...
You are delicate, youthful, and may be a tiny bit naive. You may see the color pink as a way to embrace your childhood, or escape adulthood. This doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing, though. People who are around you really like your approach to life, and the way you are able to keep one foot in adulthood and one in more innocent endeavors.
If your favorite color is black, gray, or white ...
If your favorite color is gray, you may be afraid of commitment. Stuck between black and white, lovers of gray may find themselves emotionally detached and indecisive. If black is more your speed, there's a chance that you find the need to control every detail of your life. You also might enjoy giving off the illusion of sophistication. White, on the other hand, embraces innocence and purity. You might want to convince others of your innocence, and you definitely spend a lot of time making sure your appearance is immaculate.
If your favorite color is brown ...
You are reliable and comfortable. Much like enjoying a piece of nice chocolate, you love the simple pleasures in life. You live a no-frills lifestyle, and don't need extravagance to feel fulfilled. You're direct, confident, and aren't afraid to settle into a comforting routine.
If your favorite color is yellow ...
If you find yourself gravitating toward yellow (good choice), you are a happy idealist. It takes a certain type of personality to be drawn to yellow over all other colors, and it involves lots of optimism and a childlike idealism when it comes to your overall outlook on life. People who love yellow can sometimes come off as unusual or a bit wacky, but in reality, your vibrant and sunny disposition draws people in.
Well, there you have it, folks. Maybe you read about your favorite color and thought that the personality description was spot on. Maybe color psychology could not be more wrong about you. Maybe you saw all these gorgeous Pantone color charts and decided to pick a new favorite color. No matter the outcome, I hope you enjoyed a look into the psychology behind colors and the impact they have on us. In the words of Gauguin, color is "a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams."
