Do you think colors can alter your sensations and emotions? According to color psychology, they can. This is because our mind performs a kind of translation when faced with the different hues that surround us, transforming them into states of mind.

For this reason, some colors are able to increase or decrease your appetite, to raise or lower your concentration, and even to help you relax or irritate you, for example. Even in interior decoration, movies, and marketing, color psychology is a great ally.

You may not be aware of the associations your brain makes when you encounter a certain color. However, these relationships appear implicitly in your mind. Should you enter a completely white room and then a completely black one, it is likely that you will experience very different sensations in each one.

Another situation in which color psychology makes itself present is when we search for the meaning of a specific color. In the New Year, you may have researched what each color could bring to your life. This has a direct relationship with theory, although it also receives contributions from spirituality.

Therefore, if you want to apply color psychology in your life, you can start by learning more about one of the shades you see every day: orange. In the content we have prepared, you will discover what this color can symbolize in chromotherapy, decoration, psychology and much more. Surprise yourself!

Meaning of orange in psychology

According to color psychology, orange is the color that concentrates the vibrations of yellow and red. Because of this, it usually stimulates energy, self-confidence, and movement. Taking advantage of the best of red, orange vibrates love, while translating the wisdom and quest for knowledge of yellow.

Besides stimulating appetite and body movement, the color orange is also responsible for inhibiting fears, frustrations, and even depressive feelings. In a way, the color can be seen as a mood booster, even increasing the activity of the muscles and the sympathetic nervous system.

At the same time, because it is less aggressive than red and less vibrant than yellow, orange translates to balance. It is a color that brings motivation in a responsible and contained way, with a desire to venture out without taking great risks. Fun and relaxation are concepts associated with orange, in this case.

However, orange has a negative aspect: when used in excess or inappropriately, it can decrease sexual potency and desire, and also cause a decrease in creativity and body movement. In other words, orange can bring on a feeling of lethargy and apathy.

Meaning of the shades of orange

The sensations stimulated by orange can be different, according to the shade that this color presents. Check out the variations in the meaning of the shades of orange:

Light orange: can be used to stimulate creativity, be it when starting a project or solving problems.

Salmon: is indicated for those who want to position themselves well in society, facilitating interactions with other individuals.

Dark orange: relates to people who are emotionally dependent on others and may use perverse means to maintain the dependent relationship.

Orange in spirituality

From spirituality, it is possible to know other meanings for the color orange. This tone is very present in the East, in religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism, which is a religion from Ancient China. In each one of them, we can observe new interpretations for the color.

In Buddhism, orange symbolizes the highest spiritual enlightenment one can attain. The tone that symbolizes perfection and renunciation of the external world is present even in the clothing of monks, who must follow such principles. Commitment to order and religion is also symbolized by orange.

In Hinduism, the color orange is present in another way. Besides being related to the deity Krishna, who symbolizes absolute truth, orange is present in the clothing of the shadu, wandering holy men who wander through India. Therefore, the color can be seen as a positive sign, which offers welcome and commitment to honesty.

In Confucianism, on the other hand, orange does not represent spiritual enlightenment or truth. In this case, the color refers to the transformation of the individual and society, through philosophy and religion. In other words, orange could help a person evolve, so that he or she would take the necessary attitudes to change themselves and everything around them.

In other words, the meaning of orange in spirituality is always positive, even if there are three different interpretations for it. As long as you use the color to intensify your spiritual evolution and your contact with faith, it will be an important fuel to strengthen your spirit and your beliefs.

How and when to use orange

Even if you know all the theory behind the color orange, it doesn't show you the most practical way to incorporate its powers into your everyday life, does it? That's why we're going to show you how and when to use orange in your daily life and relationships as well as in your work and home.

First of all, you can use the color orange to start the day. As it is a very energetic tone, it will be an important help when it comes time to get out of bed and start the day, so your mood will be high. You can use an alarm clock that emits this color, or have an orange or carrot juice, for example.

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In sports or in your work, orange is especially suited for activities that require a lot of movement and creativity. If you're going for a run, try wearing an orange outfit. Or if you have a meeting to present new ideas on a project, add some orange to the file.

When relating to other people, the color orange can also be very beneficial. When you want to enjoy some leisure time with lots of fun, including orange objects will increase the happiness of everyone involved. Always associate the color orange with movement and lightness.

In other contexts, when you are feeling negative thoughts forming in your mind, a good idea is to write down on an orange sheet how you are feeling. Getting in touch with this color and getting what is tormenting you off your chest will already be a great help.

Chromotherapy in decoration

You have already noticed that orange is a color that brings a lot of energy and connects a lot with movement, so it may seem like a bad idea to put it indoors, a place where everything should normally be kept in order, without too much movement.

However, chromotherapy, which is based on the use of colors to enhance a person's well-being, shows that orange goes far beyond movement and energy. In fact, it is also perfect for stimulating appetite and fun, so the two best places to use orange in your home are in the kitchen (or dining room) and the playroom, if you have such a space.

Orange toys, orange dishes, and even orange pans are great options for incorporating the benefits of this color into your everyday life. If you want to paint some walls orange, the ideal is to choose a less vibrant tone, leaving it in the office or in your studio. This way, your ideas will always have an extra touch of creativity.

To prevent you from accumulating energy, it is best not to add orange elements to your bedroom or bathroom. Since these spaces are meant for relaxation, it is best to keep them free of all the excitement of orange.

Meaning of orange in the new year

It's easy to use orange in your home decor, at work, and when you're having fun, but there's another special moment when you'll definitely want to use this color: on New Year's Eve. In Brazil, it's tradition to take advantage of this celebration to wear the color of clothing that vibrates the energies we want to have in the coming year.

In this sense, if you wear orange in a piece of clothing, an accessory, or in your makeup on New Year's Eve, it is the vibrations of orange that will accompany you throughout the year that is about to begin. That is why it is essential to understand what orange means in the New Year.

As a color of movement and energy, orange will bring to your year the impetus to promote change, to start projects, to venture out, and to take risks, but always responsibly. The color can also help you feel happier and more joyful if the last year has been challenging.

You may also like:

• Understand what the December Orange campaign symbolizes
• Study the psychological meaning of colors in the human mind
• Discover what colors can tell you about yourself

Based on the information presented about the color orange, you can already feel the benefits of this tone in your routine. Take advantage of the tips we have taught you to reap the best energies of this color full of creativity and high spirits, and continue learning the meaning of other colors!