Message #9179

[omkar]

Like all the (50) letters of the sanskrit alphabet as mantras melting together are forming into OM inside the head, so all the colors together melt into light, or dark, depending on their "background" of projection. Thus one could say that in duality, black equals white being the sum of all colours. As every sound, so every color also has a frequency...

In 1810, J.W. von Goethe published a "Theory of Colours".

Goethe's original proposal was "to marvel at color's occurrences and meanings, to admire and, if possible, to uncover color's secrets". To Goethe it was most important to understand human reaction to color, and his research marks the beginning of modern color psycology. He believed that his triangle was a diagram of the human mind and he linked each color with certain emotions. For example, Goethe associated blue with understanding and believed it evoked a quiet mood, while he believed that red evoked a festive mood and was suggestive of imagination. He choose the primaries red, yellow and blue based on their emotional content, as well as on physical grounds, and he grouped the different subsections of the triangle by 'elements' of emotion as well as by mixing level. This emotional aspect of the arrangement of the triangle reflects Goethe's concern that the emotional content of each color be taken into account by artists.

From:
Color Mixing and Goethe's Triangle

Another interesting site covers different symbolism of colours in various cultures.

Colour psychology (mainly used in marketing psychology, etc.) discusses the relationship of colours with our subconscious. RED in our ancestors' times used to signal fire or blood and automatically triggers in us the so called "fighter-flight syndrom" (i.e. getting ready and fully alert, for fighting or escape,... adrenalin pumping, wet palms, etc. inherited). RED is still used as an "eye-catcher", as in traffic's STOP-signs, red-lights, etc. - RED ALERT! The relationship with our ancestors' psyche (archetypes) and that of our fellow humans (collective subconscious) was studied first by C.G. Jung. He also greatly relied on Goethe's "Theory of Colours".