When you think of anger, what color initially pops up in your mind? How does it make you feel? What about sadness? What color do you envision?
What color means death or life to you? Your answer may be indicative of the culture to which you belong. While some of us may initially think that the meanings of many colors are universally the same amongst cultures, that’s not always the case. Colors are actually perceived differently in the UK and most Western countries versus other countries and cultures around the world.
Whereas black means death in many cultures, in some Middle Eastern countries, it actually means rebirth. In some African countries, black means age, maturity, and masculinity. In Western cultures, brides wear white as a sign of purity. However in many Asian cultures, white represents death and is worn at funerals. Quite the opposite of what you might expect! In India white also stands for sadness.
In Latin America, blue represents good health and hope, and in some Middle Eastern countries, it signifies spirituality, safety, and protection. In Japan, pink represents masculinity.
Get this—in Thailand, colors are actually associated with the days of the week. Hmm…I may start implementing color-coded pens into my planner. It’s always good to open your eyes to the perspectives of other cultures, especially if you’re planning on purchasing a gift for your friend who is from a country other than your own. Did any of these color meanings surprise you?
