If we think that colors cannot affect, and therefore affect, our existence, we make a serious mistake. Let’s just think about the traffic light: who would pass the red light? Just an unconscious. The interruption of the red light is a convention among men, a mere formality, but anyone who would think of changing this agreement or not respecting this conviction would be irresponsible. The green traffic light, on the contrary, gives us peace of mind by passing safely, perhaps at a dangerous crossroads, whatever it may be, feeling protected from the green when traveling with sufficient safety. And we use the color green to give ourselves that security or, rather, serenity that we never pay for, or to seek hope for a better life. Here, then, is that the maximum of our good, life itself, our own and that of others, depends on the color of an object. In this Psychology-Online article we will see together the meaning of the color green in psychology.
What does the color green mean?
defines green “the color of the sentinel”, that is, the color of firm perseverance, vigilance, stability, of “control over the territory of the Self.” Therefore, green is connected to all the functions of the Self and corresponds “to man’s attitude towards himself”, to self-esteem, to the image of himself.
- Objective physiological meaning: constriction, “elastic tension.”
- Objective psychological meaning: perseverance, constancy, defense, stability, resistance to change, tenacity, consolidation, possession, control.
- affective meaning: self-affirmation, the will to act, power, prestige.
- Feeling of normal self-esteem.
- emotional content: Pride.
- Archetype: land.
- Temporality: organized, calculated, controlled time (for example, the manager’s time).
- Temper: .
- Analytical interpretation: anality.
- Sensory perception: restriction.
- Target organ: involuntary smooth muscles.
- Symbolically corresponding: to the majestic redwood with deep roots, to the austere and self-critical temperament, to the rigid and defined environment.
- Shape: the shape associated with green is a square that conveys stability, static strength and could represent a tower or a fortress seen from above.
Meaning of different shades of green
Let’s look at the specific meaning of the different shades of green in particular:
- The green water indicates emotional recovery and protection.
- The lime greentending to pale, can indicate illness, something rotten, cowardice and discord.
- Acid/phosphorescent green, used in the first computer screens, is linked in some way to the entire digital world; From here derives a meaning of extreme youth but at the same time of (false) artificiality.
- The emerald green It is the shade of green that we find particularly common in nature, in the middle of a forest; This color rests the eyes, gives a sense of stability, heals the mind and our balance (all sensations that we can try in a meadow or in a forest).
- The dark green means ambition; It is a color associated with money, the financial and banking world.
What does the color green represent in childhood?
Little children choose green. They perceive it as stable, offers a kind of security, defensive strength. It is the color of self-revelation, of the egocentric vision of the world, it is what the child seeks to confirm possession, power. It is the cry: “Mine!” typical of a certain phase in children.
The search for green in children expresses the desire for perseverance, recognition and self-affirmation; When this search turns into exasperation and green is excessively preferred, then it could be a strong demand for appreciation and consideration, as well as expressing a strong defensive rigidity of control, stubborn adherence to one’s own convictions, etc.
What does it mean to reject the color green?
The rejected green may be the result of too strong pressure from the environment in terms of necessity, order, performance and the consequent need for evasion, superficiality, seeking opportunistic or manipulative attitudes in search of the desired confirmations. . From a diagnostic point of view, the preference given to blue and the subsequent rejection of green would be important, thereby indicating a certain regressive tendency, a need for protection, to trust.
What is the color green related to?
The color green can be connected with:
- Music that makes you feel important (gift music, some national anthems, military marches.
- attention, intellectcontinuity, concentration, logical effort.
- The introduction of norms and rules of games and behavior, to assume precise positions, to assigned tasks and functions, to organization and control.
- To a deep purpose to feel considered, appreciated, respected, valued.
Utilities of the color green
The presence of a drugstore It is marked by an illuminated and well-seen green cross and, in the pharmacy, we look for those medications that can improve and prolong our life in a bearable, if not pleasant, way.
Not to mention the robe or accessories several that identify health workers in the operating room: over white, the symbol par excellence of hygiene, cleanliness, asepsis, the color green has been preferred.
Therefore, the famous expression “Green hope” It acquires a concrete meaning in relation to our life. The hope of winning, the hope of regaining health, the hope of safely traveling on a road. In other words, we identify with the color green a situation or the hope of something that, if it does not improve our life, will at least preserve it.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Del Longo, N. (2011). Lüscher’s color test. Diagnostic manual in età evolutiva. Milan: Franco Angeli.
- Monzani, M., Benatti, F. (et al.) (2015). Criminology, investigative psychology and forensic psychopedagogy. Padua: Webster.