Some of the effects of colours are well known and accepted by most people. In fact, those effects have been the subject of serious research and experiments and have been scientifically proven. But not all scientists agree on the validity of the results.

When we become interested in the psychological effects of colours, it is important to know that not all societies share our perception of those effects on our emotions. What we hold as an "objective" observation on a colour is often nothing more than a reflection of our cultural belongingness, which has attributed properties to that colour for generations.

Why is it not possible for us to hold a really objective discourse on the subject? In part, because it is very difficult to separate the psychological from the symbolic. The symbolic aspects are definitely cultural. Often, and this without our realizing it, they influence our perception of colours and the ensuing emotions - both psychological aspects. Black and white are good examples. In occidental countries, black is considered serious, dramatic and sometimes sad. People are warned against its potentially depressing effects on a decorating scheme. Black is the traditional colour of mourning. White, on the other hand, is associated with purity, peace and optimism. For those reasons, white is the traditional colour of bridal dresses. No one would think of attending a funeral in white. Any more than it would occur to a bride to wear black. We simply remain convinced that it is not in the "nature" of those colours. Yet, in certain oriental countries, it is white, not black that is the colour of mourning.

That having been said, there is some overlapping in the properties different cultures attribute to certain colours. For example, Feng Shui, the traditional Chinese philosophy that distinguishes between good and evil influences interprets colours much in the same way as the majority of occidental colour specialists. Is that to say that colours have real natural properties which all humans perceive in the same way or is the phenomenon an example of the cross-influences that affect the thinking of cultures brought closer to one another by a certain Venetian called Marco Polo? It is difficult to say.

But, be that as it may, colours do affect us. And if you feel emotions for a certain colour, note them and remember them. You may even wish to consider them next time you are planning to decorate. The decision is yours!

La Couleur Nature, histoire et décoration ; Paris, Le Temps Apprivoisé ; 1993 ; 256 pages.

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