Ash is one of the least noticeable and most modest in the color spectrum. Many people call it a shade of boredom, melancholy, mediocrity and try to avoid it in interior design and clothing. However, few people are aware that until the 19th century, all royal nobility and high ranks dressed exclusively in ash and dark blue tones, considering bright materials a sign of vulgarity and bad taste. The smoky color is obtained by mixing red, dark blue and green and depends on which of them predominates and the tint groups are formed. The color gray and its derivatives have their own meaning in psychology and influence the consciousness of an individual in different ways. I will talk about how to use color and where to apply it to improve the emotional background in this article.
What means
In an esoteric sense, the color represents Saturn, the deities of time, the formation of maturity and the beginning of aging. A party of the same name has even been created in Germany, which has been defending the rights of older people for many years. Esotericists perceive the planet with rings as a scrupulous judge who, through long and grueling tests, cleanses us from moral dirt inside. That is why one of the direct characteristics of the gray color is an attraction to spirituality. Monks and parishioners of many occult groups wear precisely such robes.
Also, the nickel metallic color signifies great power. It is not for nothing that the expression “gray cardinal” was born in medieval France. In addition, in those days, all the nobility mostly dressed up in graphite tones. During the reign of the king, Cardinal Richelieu had a large piece of influence, but few people knew that he was only a puppet in the hands of a more significant figure - the monk Joseph, who wore a dark gray cassock.
Negative properties include dullness and facelessness. Preferring the role of a “gray mouse,” people strive to destroy their unique “I” and merge with the world around them. Also, such shades are considered primitive and mean poor origin. In Rus', the expression “gray little peasant” was common in everyday life, meaning a narrow-minded commoner.
Symbolic meaning of brown
Since ancient times, humanity has associated brown with soil. Therefore, this color is traditionally considered a symbol of fertility, stability, and reliability. It was in brown that numerous figurines of ancient goddesses of the Earth were painted, to whom they turned with requests for a good harvest or the fertility of women. Therefore, in a sense, brown can be called a feminine color. On a symbolic level, this shade is also closely associated with family ties and the warmth of the hearth. In Ancient Rome, there were special home altars, larariums, where ancestors and spirits of a village or city were revered. Usually they were painted brown. In addition to figurines of gods, death masks of deceased relatives were also kept there. It was believed that in the lararium they turn into good spirits that protect the clan. It is not for nothing that most fireplaces, which can be called modern variations of home altars, are also made in brown.
The symbolism of any color has two sides: positive and negative. Therefore, in addition to stability, brown can also mean authoritarianism and even dictatorship. Brown uniforms were worn by military units of the German party, which later became the Nazis. This is why fascism is still called the brown plague. In its negative version, this color means the unshakable power of authorities, dogmatism, and stiffness.
Characteristic
To most accurately describe what the gray color symbolizes, you need to imagine a fine sunny summer day, when everything around is fragrant, riotous and shimmering with bright reflections, but suddenly, the sky is covered with lead clouds, it becomes almost dark and featureless.
Another association is old photographs, in which all the details are conveyed through many shades of ash - from pale to dark and even gloomy, almost black.
Gray temples are a symbol of wisdom, aging, years lived, but endless respect and compassion. It is also the embodiment of internal experiences - fear, anxiety, confusion. Finally, grayness is something that has been passed and forgotten, covered with a layer of dusty grains of sand and covered in a dense cobweb.
A dark shade has a depressing effect, can spoil the mood and even cause apathy and depression, while light colors create a neutral, calm environment and do not cause internal rejection.
What does it symbolize
Before you choose the gray color of clothes or shoes, wall cladding or flooring, you need to know what it means and how it is treated in other parts of the world:
- Christian countries wear anthracite when they feel sad, are in mourning, sadness, want to isolate themselves from the world, erect imaginary borders. It is a connotation of sorrow, humility and detachment.
- In the east it is an attribute of humiliation, anger, betrayal and meanness.
- In Europe - the tone of high society, world progress, technical equipment.
- For most African tribes, this is a symbolism of ashes and loss.
Properties
Light gray is a neutral color that is used to smooth out the brighter colors of the color spectrum. Even red in combination with ivory causes less aggression and becomes softer.
Psychologist Daria Milai
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Walls painted in the Gainsborough color, named after the English artist and representing gray hair, visually expand the space and give a feeling of lightness and airiness.
Nickel is a neutral shade, used to mark the border with other colors, the fullness of which cannot be appreciated without its presence.
Color manipulation
If a person reading this article caught himself thinking that it’s time to put things in order in his life, then it’s better to start by adjusting the color scheme of the surrounding space and wardrobe. Surprisingly, even 1-2 accessories in clothing and a couple of additional details in the decoration of the room, made in a rich chocolate or pleasant cinnamon color, can bring harmony to the mind of the owner and make him more collected.
When applying for a job in an important government position or in an office where compliance with a dress code is required, psychologists recommend wearing a brown jacket or good dark shoes of a rich coffee color. This will serve as a signal to the employer that he is a responsible and balanced person. But for workers in the food industry or doctors, the color brown in everyday wear is contraindicated - it will cause unpleasant associations and can serve as a reason for dissatisfaction among others.
Everything about a person who likes the color gray - psychology
Those who have favorite metallic shades look modest and faceless in appearance. It is mainly preferred by older people, sad, apathetic and depressed people. They want to be invisible, to hide from others behind a curtain of gloom.
These are tired of life and communication, antisocial people who love peace and quiet. Such representatives of society rarely rush into the abyss, avoid risks, and are prone to long thoughts and a long search to identify an acceptable solution.
These are good analysts, logisticians, accountants, and economists. Their boring pursuit of goals, complete emotionlessness and modesty make them attractive to managers in all spheres of activity. However, when establishing communication with such a person, it is worth considering that, just like herself, she sets high demands on others, is distinguished by moral principles and perseverance, and cannot stand public events. Usually these are excellent employees, but difficult people to communicate with.
Practical and conservative people, they like to use things that they are sure of, even if the whole world has already switched to popular new products. They use hidden methods to remain unnoticed and get out of the water dry. On the other hand, these are pleasant interlocutors - they listen without interrupting, give practical advice, and are endowed with compassion. These are reliable candidates for friends and partners who will never reveal your secrets and will help you in difficult situations. To better know the person who prefers the shade of ash, sign up for my personal consultation.
Brown in clothes and interiors
The universal range of brown suits both a business style and a gentle romantic look. Also, brown clothes are ideal for everyday wear.
For business negotiations or interviews, it is recommended to wear brown clothes. Brown encourages acquaintance and suggests further communication.
As a rule, brown in clothes is preferred by more respectable people, or those who are endowed with a certain wisdom in life. Young people avoid brown because of its association with something old-fashioned and boring.
The color scheme of brown in clothing or interior design has a calming effect on a person. Thanks to this effect, brown fills the space of rooms with a feeling of peace and relaxation.
Photo by Katsia Jazwinska on Unsplash
What does rejection of the color gray mean?
Those who don’t like gray hair strive for brightness, contrast and variety. These are people who love adventure, travel and a change of scenery. They avoid uncertainty and want to clearly understand the end result, their condition and position.
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Those who refuse and do not accept this color are afraid of being defeated, want to attract attention to themselves, success, communication and recognition of society are important to them. They do not understand people who are delighted with the silver color, considering them boring and secretive.
Brown lovers - who are they?
Psychologists divide those who love the color brown into two conditional categories: “those in need of protection” and “self-sufficient.” For the former, sympathy for the chocolate and coffee environment flares up suddenly or intensifies in waves, and then, with the loss of need, fades away. These people, as a rule, are defenseless in the face of difficult life circumstances and are in dire need of stability and constancy.
“Self-sufficient” include conservatives who consciously perceive life as endless resistance to opposing forces. The characteristics of people whose favorite color is brown are as follows in psychology:
- low creative quotient;
- high efficiency;
- pragmatism and prudence;
- lack of daydreaming and adventurism;
- consistency and logic.
Fans of dark coffee tones are not artistic or sociable, but they are wonderful friends and excellent leaders. The only clear fear of these people is the need for spontaneous actions, which they will try to avoid with all their might.
Shades
Unlike other tones of the color palette, gray hair does not have a clear beginning and end, getting lost between contrasting black and white. Such a scattering of completely opposite colors makes the gloomy palette rich and varied:
- There are metallic tones: nickel, pewter, steel and platinum;
- gray as an old man's hair - Gainsborough;
- French, monsoon shade;
- silver, like the precious metal of the same name;
- rich and dark, like wet asphalt;
- gray – gray-blue;
- light and light - ivory;
- gray-blue, like a thundercloud or the evening surface of the sea;
- the so-called cadet - blue-gray;
- almost black – charcoal gray;
- illegible, with various inclusions, but overall airy - ashy;
- light, like granite - stone.
These are not all of the lists; in fact, there are many more of them. In fact, depending on the time of year, the position of the sun's rays, everything can turn into a retro color - from the sea, the sand of trees and grass, to the silhouette of a person or animal.
Physiological and health effects
Platinum gray causes lethargy, inhibits active movement, and slows down all processes in the human body. He, like a sponge, is filled with lightning speed with various excitements and emotions. That is why it is often used in the process of meditation, to treat inflammatory diseases, neutralize stress, and lower blood pressure.
“Gray environment” helps you focus on one goal and clearly move in the right direction to achieve it. Calmness and detachment prevent you from being distracted and fixated on solving the problem. However, for good results, the concentration of color should be in moderate quantities and accompanied by a harmonious combination with other shades of the palette. Its excessive presence can develop from a calming stage into a depressing one.
Zodiac preferences
Since in psychology the value of brown color is emphasized as a factor of “grounding”, a return to nature and natural simplicity, this color is ideal for two zodiac signs - Virgo and Capricorn.
The practical Capricorn always strives to remain unconvinced, but he hates to complicate everything and, in search of the truth, inevitably returns to the basics. Capricorn has a vital need to periodically turn to the experience of his ancestors, and the brown color helps him not to lose this connection and remain something of a keeper of family traditions and ancestral memory.
Thoughtful and pedantic, Virgo never has her head in the clouds, and in all matters prefers to use the shortest path to solving a problem. Dark shades such as “brown”, “mahogany”, “chocolate” help Virgo to concentrate and not be distracted by unimportant details.
What does the color gray mean in psychology?
Ash helps to cope with emotions of any format. After all, not only grief and disappointment, betrayal of loved ones or problems can knock you out of your working rut, but also spontaneous joy, excessive cheerfulness and a sudden feeling of happiness. The metallic tone restrains character, makes a person more strict, pragmatic, calculating and balanced, not allowing him to be led by his emotions and approach business with a clear mind. Therefore, we recommend using the shade during important and responsible events - business meetings, negotiations, exams.
Gray gives the owner confidence and self-sufficiency. A person feels protected from problems, the negative influence of the surrounding world, free from extraneous opinions and demands. It, like a protective shield, repels any psychological attacks and helps to dissolve in the bustling crowd, if appropriate and necessary.
In large doses, the tone causes melancholy, sadness about the past, thoughts and regrets about wrong actions, unfulfilled dreams. It does not need to be worn by depressed people, but it is shown to those who boldly stand on their feet and do not need support or praise from others, symbolizing independence.
In some cases, the color of wet asphalt eliminates bad habits and chronic addictions.
Psychological effects of brown
This color, especially in its warm versions, relieves stress like a hand. It is especially recommended for people suffering from anxiety and fear of change. Brown, as the color of stability, brings back a feeling of security. It also increases endurance and helps cope with heavy stress, both physical and psychological. It builds self-confidence, inspires trust and respect. Therefore, psychologists recommend wearing clothes in brown tones before important interviews, business meetings or long trips.
The color brown encourages people to cooperate, helps smooth out contradictions in the team and inspire its members to work productively. Light brown or coffee is especially good for this. Darker shades of this color, on the contrary, serve as a kind of barrier against unwanted acquaintances. A man in dark brown clothes subconsciously makes it clear that he is not interested in close communication.
Why is it used in advertising?
A retro palette is often used as a background; it does not carry a load and does not attract unnecessary attention. It is widely used for advertising household appliances and innovative new products, as it is associated with technical progress. The tone of wet asphalt and ivory evokes the atmosphere of a metropolis, which is why real estate agencies and recruiting organizations also prefer it in their advertising campaigns.
Silver indicates the elitism and high quality of the product and evokes a feeling of reliability. No wonder Apple chose it for their logo. The labels of most famous automobile brands are also made in silver-pearl palettes.
Brown from a psychological point of view
To begin with, it is important to note that brown has an impressive range of shades.
- Bronze shimmer
- Chestnut
- Brown
- Tea
- Cream
Photo by Ainur Iman on Unsplash
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Brown
- Terracotta, etc.
This color, from a psychological point of view, represents a “reduction in speed.” Associated with comfort, relaxation and peace. It means reliability, stability and security. Brown is associated with family, responsibility and a sense of duty. It is worth noting that brown symbolizes material wealth and also implies the accumulation of material values.
Brown goes with the image of home comfort and family hearth. As you probably already guessed, this is primarily due to the fact that wood materials have brown shades.
Who can be recommended to use
By itself, the metallic tone looks featureless, but in combination with other colors it can not only sparkle with new colors, but also significantly transform the appearance. Pale ladies and bright blondes will suit the monsoon shade, rich graphite will complement dark brown-haired women and brunettes. Everyone, without exception, suits traditional dark gray or lightened - Gainsborough or zircon with a barely noticeable shine.
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In clothes
Its combination with white and purple looks great. The unusual color of a black pearl will be complemented by bright yellow and fresh light green.
Although it is believed that the best uniform, emphasizing the reliability and high status of the enterprise, will be asphalt, it is better to dilute it with things and accessories of more positive shades - wear a bright tie, brooch, scarf. A pastel blouse, sweater or jacket in a sunny color in combination with a silver jumpsuit, sundress, trousers will not take away the business focus and responsibility that envelops the client, but, on the contrary, will emphasize the desire for lightness and creativity.
The charcoal tone depresses the nervous system, which is why explosive choleric people are advised to fill their wardrobe with appropriate things. It is not recommended for melancholic people to wear a blue palette, despite their attraction to similar colors. It has a neutral effect on sanguine and phlegmatic people.
For girls, in addition to the wardrobe, makeup is important. And here silver-gray will also come to the rescue. After all, black mascara or eyeliner in an everyday look can look intrusive and even vulgar, while shimmering mother-of-pearl is ideal for creating daytime and evening makeup.
In the interior
In interior design, gray, platinum and nickel are simply irreplaceable colors. Such kitchen facades look discreet and discreet; bedroom furniture has a relaxing effect. Household appliances – refrigerators, TVs, toasters, kettles – look stylish and expensive. Shiny chrome details create bright accents. In combination with black and white, gray forms new minimalist interior styles - loft and hi-tech. Light cladding materials give the room lightness and visually expand the space.
Coal is also indispensable when decorating office rooms. Its deeper and darker shades promote intellectual work, calmness, and regularity. An atmosphere of rigor and concentration will reign in the work rooms. However, it is worth taking into account that a long stay in such walls is tiring, fatigue occurs, and productivity decreases. Therefore, an excess of metallic presence needs to be diluted with joyful colors: yellow, orange, green: various decorative elements - rugs, flowers.
Interior solutions
Color psychology considers the presence of brown in the interior as a desire to enhance the energy of stability and peace in the house, to give the home a solid and at the same time discreet appearance. Floor coverings and furniture are usually made in brown, chocolate and coffee shades.
Even if a person does not welcome the dark brown color, both psychologists and bioenergeticists strongly recommend including it in the interior of the home. It is not necessary to fill the rooms with furniture arrays of an irritating shade - it is enough to use it in the decoration elements of the surrounding environment.
Feng Shui adherents assign a special position to the color brown in the house and actively use it in the eastern part of the home, which is responsible for health and family well-being. In this zone it is good to relax after a working day and gain strength before any decisive event.
What are the positive aspects
Not everyone sees dejection and detachment on the metal spectrum. You can look at it in a completely different way: dark shades, close to black, are associated with elegance, moderate drama and mystery. Lighter ones - ivory, blueberry-cream - belong to lightness, freedom and have a calming effect. This is a multifaceted color that can convey the entire spectrum of human emotions.
A gray cat will make your home cozy and soft, a metallic outfit will be indispensable in creating a sophisticated look for an interview. It is a conservative and serious color used in many contexts. It reflects modernity, reliability, safety, modesty. Represents self-control, accuracy, wisdom, high knowledge. In moderate doses, it creates a feeling of calm and tranquility.
Negative characteristics in psychology
If you have an affinity for elephant tones, then most likely you have the following qualities:
- fear of communication;
- frequent depression, sadness and depression;
- melancholic views, fear of loss and withdrawal from the world and ultimately loneliness;
- lethargy, low activity, facelessness;
- reluctance to experience new emotions and update your life.
Grayness, the love of dull days without sun characterizes a pessimist or a dejected realist.
Origins
The name of the shade comes from the word “cinnamon,” which in turn is a diminutive of “bark.” This etymology reveals the essence of brown - it resembles the color of tree bark, as well as spices.
This is one of the most common shades in nature. In addition to the bark, many types of soil, the eyes and hair of people, and the skin of many ethnic groups have this color. It is colored with various spices and spices (cinnamon, vanilla and star anise), coffee beans, tea, precious stones and minerals (jasper, carnelian, citrine, agate and tiger's eye). It is often found in the colors of mammals, reptiles, insects and birds. This is usually due to the need for mimicry, that is, camouflage.
