This obsession I have with green — the compulsive, addictive craving of the pea-green color that’s been dogging me since I laid eyes on it — began some weeks ago.
It was a lazy Saturday morning after the spa – my friend Sara and I decided to hit the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective that just opened at the Petit Palais in Paris. But as bad karma would have it, the queue was an hour and a half long just to get through the doors. So we did what most girls in dire situations do – go window shopping. We crossed the place de la Concorde over to the right bank and cruised up the rue Saint Honoré where all the chic designer shops were, and I slowed down to drool over the Tumi luggage and handbag store window. Good karma then returned — there was a legal parking space just in front, in a neighborhood where you have to pay a monthly fee just to park your car at night. “It’s a sign from above,” Sara said, egging me on.
We entered the store and checked out everything from laptop cases to wallets to suitcases. Then I saw it — and my life was never the same again. Perched in a glass niche just at eye level, a precious looking pea-green leather handbag and matching wallet. I asked to see it and when I touched it, it felt like caressing a little bit of heaven. The design was refined and exquisite, coupled with the robustness and practicality that Tumi is famous for. And the color… a beautiful, dazzling yet soothing pea-green that made my heart melt like the first time I set eyes on my newborn son. But our union was not to be. Its price tag, when I asked if there was one, was beyond my budget. After much regret (and a pleading telephone call to my bank) I had to admit defeat — the darling pea-green bag was beyond my reach. And ever since, I went about my life feeling forlorn, searching everywhere for that pea-green color on anything within sight.
It occurred to me that lusting after a color isn’t as bizarre as it seems. Your body can crave a color like it hungers for a trace element found in certain foods – like magnesium in chocolate, or folic acid in green vegetables. Color therapy, or chromotherapy, is used with more or less proven results to produce biochemical reactions within the body and stimulate the pituitary gland to release hormones regulating sleep, sex drive, metabolic rate, moods, emotions, and behavior, according to the Insight Journal of Wellness. When used correctly, color therapy can aid in healing certain disorders.
Color and personality. Humans react to color. Color triggers responses at the subconscious level — personal associations, memories, and vibrations. We express ourselves through the colors we wear, and those in our environment. We are drawn to certain colors and dislike others. Psychologists have found that colors affect our preferences, character, behavior and personality. The famous Luscher psychological test uses color as indicators of basic personality traits.
Color in interior design. Color in paint, flooring, furniture, fabrics, and accessories can alter our moods and change the perception of the size and shape of a room.
- Red generates excitement, encourages speedy movement (as in fast food outlets)
- Yellow/orange lifts the spirits, stimulates creatve ideas and learning (schools)
- Blue is relaxing, restful (libraries, hospitals)
- Pink is sedating, muscle-relaxing, and reduces aggression and violence (prisons)
- Green is calming and soothing and reminiscent of nature (the outdoors)
Color preferences and what they say about you.
White: Symbolic of purity, innocence and naiveté, white has strong connotations of youth and purity. If you are an older person, your preference for white could indicate a desire for perfection and impossible ideals, maybe an attempt to recapture lost youth and freshness. It may also symbolize a desire for simplicity or the simple life.
Red: The color of strength, health, and vitality, Red is often the color chosen by someone outgoing, aggressive, vigorous and impulsive—or someone who would like to be! It goes with an ambitious nature but those who choose it can be abrupt at times, determined to get all they can out of life, quick to judge people and take sides. Red people are usually optimistic and can’t stand monotony; they are rather restless and not at all introspective, so they may be unaware of their own shortcomings. They find it hard to be objective and may blame others for any mishaps. Quiet people with a preference for red may feel the need for the warmth, strength and life-giving qualities of the color, or they blanket their true feelings under a sober exterior. Red is usually chosen by people with open and uncomplicated natures, with a zest for life.
Pink: This color embodies the gentler qualities of Red, symbolizing love and affection without passion. Women who prefer Pink tend to be maternal. Pink desires protection, special treatment and a sheltered life. Pink people require affection and like to feel loved and secure, perhaps wanting to appear delicate and fragile. Pink people tend to be charming and gentle, if a trifle indefinite.
Orange: This color of luxury and pleasure appeals to the flamboyant and fun-loving person who likes a lively social round. Orange people may be inclined to dramatize a bit, and people notice them, but they are generally good-natured and popular. They can be a little fickle and vacillating, but on the whole they try hard to be agreeable. Orange is the color of youth, strength, fearlessness, curiosity and restlessness.
Yellow: The color of happiness, wisdom and imagination, Yellow is chosen by the mentally adventurous, searching for novelty and self-fulfillment. Yellow usually goes with a sunny and shrewd personality, with a good business head and a strong sense of humor. It is the color of intellectuality and all things to do with the mind. Yellow folks are usually clear and precise thinkers who have a good opinion of their own mental capacities and who have lofty ideals. They may at times tend to shun responsibility, preferring freedom of thought and action.
Green: The color of harmony and balance, Green symbolizes hope, renewal and peace, and is usually liked by the gentle and sincere. Greens are generally frank, community-minded people, fairly sociable but preferring peace at any price. Green people can be too self-effacing, modest and patient, so they may get exploited by others. They are usually refined, civilized and reputable.
Blue: Soft, soothing, compassionate and caring, Blue is the color of deliberation and introspection, conservatism and duty. Patient, persevering, conscientious, sensitive and self-controlled, Blues like to be admired for their steady character and wisdom. They are faithful, but are often worry.
Brown: A Brown person has stamina and patience, tending to be very solid and substantial, conscientious, dependable, steady and conservative. Browns are not impulsive, and may be inarticulate and tactless but they love responsibility and are reliable and kindly. If you chose Brown, watch out for a tendency to be obstinate and inflexible.
Gray: The color of caution and compromise, diligent Grays search for composure and peace and often work hard without reward. Older Grays like life to run on an even keel with few ups and downs. Young Grays may be withdrawing from life and suppressing their personalities. Grays often have good business ability and tend to work too much.
Black: Dignified and impressive without being showy, Black people want to give the appearance of mystery, but their preference may also indicate a suppression of desires and worldly aims, suggesting hidden depths and inner longings.iers with somewhat inflexible beliefs and can be too cautious, and suspicious of flamboyant behavior.
So readers, what is your color and does it say about you? Take the Luscher color test and find out. In case I haven’t mentioned it, I’m pea-green, gentle and sincere…
