Before I studied design, I used to hear about the “psychology” behind certain colors, and I have to say, I was pretty skeptical. “How do they know?” I would scoff. But the more I learn, the more I realize why we attach meaning and emotion to different colors.
Take the American flag, for example. As we celebrate the 4th of July this year, take a closer look at the colors and what they were chosen to express about our country.
Red – Red is a bold and powerful color. According to scientists, red is the color our eyes are drawn to first. It can signal strength, aggression, or love. But why? Think about red as it appears in nature. The first thought that comes to mind is blood, which is probably the most instinctive reason we associate red with such strong emotions. Red symbolizes the blood of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Red is the color of courage, passion, and valor.
White – White brings thoughts of purity and innocence to mind. In Western cultures, white has been associated with righteousness and fresh beginnings. You’ve heard the sayings, “white as the driven snow” or “innocent as a spotless lamb.” As a country, our desire from the beginning has been to be a place of pure motives and impartiality. We don’t always live up to our goals, but I’m proud that we strive for them. White is the color of purity and justice.
Blue – Blue evokes feelings of serenity, trust, and reliability. Think about the vast sky and immense ocean. When I stop and take in the deep blue of the sea or look up and appreciate the bright blue expanse above me, I feel a sense of calm and stability. Blue also represents the life-giving qualities of water, which replenish and sustain the earth. The deep blue in the flag was intended to represent the night sky, and the white stars a new constellation. Blue is the color of stability, responsibility, and vision.
This Independence Day, I hope you will appreciate the flag in a new and deeper way, and that you’ll think about how the colors symbolize some of the ideals we value as a country. Happy 4th!
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FAQs
The stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.
What does true to the red white and blue mean? ›
Red implies hardiness and valor. White stands for purity and innocence. Blue signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice. These qualities that our country was founded on should carry through in our lives and businesses today.
What is the meaning of blue white red? ›
Across eras, continents and cultures, colours have come to symbolise different things. Blue is reminiscent of the natural world, a symbol of both calm and melancholy. Red is associated with danger, anger or bloodshed, as well as with the passion of love. Finally, white represents purity, peace and the divine.
What is the deep meaning of red and blue? ›
“In many cultures, red is associated with passion, danger, and energy, while blue is associated with calmness, stability, and tranquility.” And. “Plato believed that red represented the passionate, irrational part of the soul, while blue represented the rational, intellectual part.”
What does red white and blue mean in Christianity? ›
The shade of red on the cross symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary. The blue represents the waters of baptism as well as the faithfulness of Jesus. The white represents Jesus' purity. The dimensions of the flag and canton have no official specifications.
What is the meaning of the red and white colors? ›
Red symbolizes the blood of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Red is the color of courage, passion, and valor. White – White brings thoughts of purity and innocence to mind. In Western cultures, white has been associated with righteousness and fresh beginnings.
What is the message in red white and royal blue? ›
“Red, White & Royal Blue” is ultimately a story about love overcoming barriers, breaking down societal norms, and the transformative power of acceptance and self-discovery. The novel's message of hope, acceptance, and the importance of authenticity resonates deeply with readers.
What color means spiritually? ›
Blue: Trustworthiness, peace, calm, serenity, stability. Red: Love, energy, passion, danger, aggression. Yellow: Happiness, energy, optimism, fear. Green: Nature, growth, harmony, peace. Orange: Energy, enthusiasm, creativity.
What is the origin of the red white and blue flag? ›
"In the 1600s, the Netherlands was a dominant seafaring nation and its flag was a horizontal tri bar, a red, white and blue. And that set the example for other countries. The Czech flag uses those colors, too, and the Dutch colors influenced countries and other flags in its orbit."
Why do so many flags use red, white, and blue? ›
When those flags' contents were decided, industrial colour dyes were not available - and so, on cost alone, they had to be combinations of red, white, and blue. The advent of industrial dyes permitted the yellows, oranges, and greens seen on later flags.
It is the color of the ocean and the sky; it often symbolizes serenity, stability, inspiration, or wisdom. It can be a calming color, and symbolize reliability. In the Catholic Church, the Virgin Mary is most often depicted wearing blue, to symbolize being "full of grace" by divine favor.
What does red symbolize? ›
Since red is the color of blood, it has historically been associated with sacrifice, danger, and courage. Modern surveys in Europe and the United States show red is also the color most commonly associated with heat, activity, passion, sexuality, anger, love, and joy.
What is the meaning of the red white and blue? ›
What do the colors of the flag mean? Answer: According to custom and tradition, white signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
What is the deepest meaning of blue? ›
Blue calls to mind feelings of calmness and relaxation. 3 It is often described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly. Blue is seen as a sign of stability and reliability. Businesses that want to project an image of security often utilize blue in their advertising and marketing efforts.
What mood does red and blue represent? ›
Bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) stimulate energy and happiness while cool, subdued colors (blues, greens, purples) are soothing and calming. Bright, warm colors are best in rooms for entertaining like dining rooms or kitchens, while cool colors work best in relaxing spaces like bedrooms or even bathrooms.
What do the blue white red colours show? ›
Blue, white, and red are the colours of the French flag in hoist-to-fly order, and the story of each film is loosely based on one of the three political ideals in the motto of the French Republic: liberty, equality, fraternity.
What does the red white and blue shield mean? ›
The red, white, and blue shield. The shield on the eagle's chest includes 13 red and white stripes (representing the 13 colonies) below a blue upper region. The red and white colors symbolize valor and purity respectively, and the blue color represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
What is the flag with red blue and white? ›
The "tricolore" (three-colour) flag is an emblem of the Fifth Republic. It had its origins in the union, at the time of the French Revolution, of the colours of the King (white) and the City of Paris (blue and red). Today, the "tricolour" flies over all public buildings.
Why is the order red, white, and blue? ›
“Red for courage and readiness to sacrifice; white for pure intentions and high ideals; and blue for vigilance and justice.”
