The Psychology of Blue – Blue Changes Its Meaning According To Its Combination With Other Colors – Part 1, Blue Combined With Orange Or Violet
Apr 19th, 2010 by Doreen Richmond
When we combine colors, we often concentrate on the aesthetics. This is only part of the story. A color will change its energy psychologically according to its neighboring color. Just as a person would do. Someone who is extremely extroverted, has a loud voice and is always the center of attraction, will have to adapt somewhat to the introverted, peaceful energy of partners, or simply overwhelm them totally. This would mean that no communication can occur.
The Meaning of Blue - Blue represents the universe and infinity
Let give me you example with blue. Blue has various qualities and according to its combination with other colors, each quality will be accentuated or diminished. Blue represents foremost the universe, infinity, and a much larger unity beyond our conception. It is also the color of our oceans and sky and consequently extremely familiar to us on a daily basis. Blue is symbolic for such qualities as compassion, dedication and selflessness. And, last not but least, it represents deep intellectual thinking. As the symbolic color for the mind, it is the most powerful color on a mental level.
The Meaning of Blue - Blue Combined with Orange is Amiable and Vital
When blue is combined with its complementary color, orange, it changes its energy considerably. Blue is no longer aloof, but takes on a friendly, almost paternal, quality when combined with orange. The vital energy that orange radiates seems to effect the normally calm, dignified blue and bestows it with a lively intensity. Too much orange can visually override the blue. Blue tends to recede and orange projects forward. To create balance, you need to use one third orange to two thirds blue in a color combination. Combined this way, they are an extremely pleasant pair and emanate joy and, at the same time, consistency.
The Meaning of Blue – Blue Combined With Violet is Spiritual and In Harmony
Blue is also a spiritual color, and so it naturally harmonizes with violet. However, since blue is considered passive and violet active, on a spiritual level, blue becomes sub-dominant to violet when combined. Blue is the color of concentration and violet of a deep, active spirituality, bringing belief with action on earth. This can be experienced visually when they are combined in a color arrangement. They without doubt harmonizes when combined, but blue seems to serve violet. It looses some of its radiance and is sub-dominant to violet.
