“Color is one of the most pervasive qualities around us. Artists and interior designers have long understood how color can dramatically affect mood, feelings, and emotions.” -Kendra Van Wagner

What about a deeper significance of the effect of color (or lack of color) on the physical human condition? Now we’re talking about Chromatherapy: using color to heal.

It’s a holistic practice dating back to the civilizations of Atlantis and Mu. Were you to ask the ancient mystics from China, India or Egypt about the healing power of color they’d tell you there’s something to it. Pointing to the seven chakras in the human body, deficiencies were identified and therapeutic colors engaged to bring the whole being into balance.

As a colorist, sensitive to the nuances and combinations of colors this is something of an innate sensibility. Obvious to you and me that the following category generalizations would ring true:

Red, Orange, Yellow: Energizing, warm
Blue, Green, Violet: Calming, cool

But there’s much more to it. Holistic beliefs, past and present, run much deeper and investigate the influence of color on the healing of mind, body and spirit. For example:

Red is thought to stimulate and boost physical energy, strengthen willpower, increase circulation and clear congestion.

Orange is thought to encourage joy, socializing and optimism, which is why it’s considered useful for depression or sadness. 

Yellow is associated with the intellect and mental processes and is uplifting, stimulating the nerves and purifying the body.

Green is a color that’s thought to encourage emotional stability, purity and calmness.

Blue is thought to enhance verbal expression and communication, artistic expression and willpower.

Indigo is said to encourage greater intuition and strengthen the lymph system, immune system and help purify and cleanse the body.

Purple is thought to encourage spirituality, intuition, wisdom, mental strength and focus.

As with all things, TOO much of a good thing can have detrimental effects. For example:

Too much red may over stimulate and possibly promote anger or aggressiveness.
Too much orange is thought to lead to tiredness, pessimism and confusion.
Too much yellow is believed to lead to poor concentration and hyperactivity.
Too much purple is thought to promote pride and arrogance.

Where is my belief system in all this? From what I’ve studied, practiced, and witnessed the effect of hue, tone, and intensity of color can indeed adjust mood, attitude, perception and behavior. These adjustments, in turn, factor into and tip the scales when it comes to our comfort, energy levels, and general well-being.

Written by: Kelle Boyd | Landsview Interior Design | Seattle, WA | (206) 938-4796

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