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Business writing Nonverbal

Colour your communication––what colours really ‘mean’ to your communication’s audience

Colours are powerful communicators.

Colours in our communications can affect our moods and our understanding. Knowing what colours represent to our viewers helps us understand why fast-food chains use lively oranges, yellow, and reds, and why the cool, tranquilizing blues and greens and the earth tones of navy, burgundy and chocolate are in airlines. 

Research has shown that colour can even effect the IQ scores of children. 

So below I present a table of colours, with what moods they create and what symbolic messages they convey.

ColourMoodsSymbolic Meaning 
RedHot, affectionate, angry, defiant, contrary, hostile, full of vitality, calm, tender Happiness, lust, intimacy, love, restlessness, agitation, royalty, rage, sin, blood 
BlueCool, pleasant, leisurely, distant, infinite, secure, transcendent, calm, tender Dignity, sadness, tenderness, truth 
YellowUnpleasant, exciting, hostile, cheerful, joyful, jovial Superficial glamour, cowardice, sun, light, wisdom, masculinity, royalty (in China), age (in Greece), prostitution (in Italy), famine (in Egypt) 
OrangeUnpleasant, exciting, disturbed, distressed, upset, defiant, contrary, hostile, stimulating Sun, truthfulness, harvest, thoughtfulness 
PurpleDepressed, sad, dignified, stately Wisdom, victory, pomp, wealth, humility, tragedy 
GreenCool, pleasant, leisurely, in control Security, peace, jealousy, hate, aggressiveness, calm 
BlackSad, intense, anxiety, fear, despondent, dejected, melancholy, unhappy Darkness, power, mastery, protection, decay, mystery, wisdom, death, atonement 
BrownSad, not tender, despondent, dejected, melancholy Melancholy, protection, autumn, decay, humility, atonement 
WhiteJoy, lightness, neutral, cold Solemnity, purity, femininity, humility, joy, light, innocence, fidelity, cowardice