You may never have noticed, but the colors around you influence - a lot - your emotions. Think, for example, about which colors prevail in the logos of fast food restaurants. Red and yellow, right? That's because red causes hunger and urgency, while yellow balances emotions so that you have a satisfying experience in the end.

This is a line of study that seeks to understand exactly this relationship, how colors directly affect human behavior. This area of psychology deeply analyzes what effects each color generates in people, including changes in emotions, changes in well-being, creation of desires, among others.transformations.

It is no wonder that colors are so important to marketing, for example. Depending on the palette chosen, a product can be very successful or fail miserably. To get an idea, some surveys indicate that almost 93% of consumers use visual appearance as a decision criterion when buying.

The same goes for you: depending on the colors you choose to wear or the shades that are around you, your choices change completely. Want to see? Think about the color black. On what occasions would you wear it? You probably answered that you would wear it to a wake or to a gala party. But have you ever stopped to think about why these occasions call for black?

And if you were in a room with black walls, what do you think your feeling would be? Or the opposite: a place where there was no black anywhere? To discuss a little more about the meaning of this color, both according to psychology, spirituality and cultural beliefs, read on:

Meaning of the color black in psychology

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Black has as its main characteristic the fact that it is the darkest color among all the existing shades in the color palette. Thus, the first impression people have when it comes to black is associated with negative feelings, such as fear, sadness, death, loneliness, despair, among others.

However, even though there is a link between this color and the world of obscurity, black does not only mean bad things. In other situations, it can also be seen in a good light, since it can convey the idea of luxury, elegance, and refinement.

Think about it: how many brands have you seen whose logos bring only black in contrast to white? Many, right? This bet aims to bring an air of cleanliness, strength, and sophistication to companies. Depending on the colors with which black is combined, it is also possible to convey ideas such as modernity and innovation.

Another effect of the color black is the aura of mystery around what is to be passed on. The darkness of this color conveys curiosity and sometimes emotional memories. Thus, it captures the attention of the beholder and provokes interest in that "secret". In some cases, the color can also be associated with the masculine and impersonal. It is a good option to give reading to design pieces and highlightkey points of the campaign.

Thus, according to color psychology, black causes three effects on human behavior: fear, elegance, and curiosity.

The Color Black in Spirituality

As we are in a country heavily influenced by Christianity, the first thought that comes to mind when we imagine the color black is mourning. This is because, for the Catholic religion, this color is associated with death and sadness.linked to evil, the underworld, condemnation, anguish and penance.

However, this is a concept that varies according to one's faith. As we have seen, this color also has its positive side - it can have to do with fertility, authority, and sophistication.

In Islam, for example, although black is also associated with mourning, it is an amulet to be worn against the evil eye. In shamanism, the color corresponds to spiritual nudity, being present in several symbols of initiation rituals, in order to represent the renunciation of old ideals or material goods. In some ceremonies, the shamans isolate themselves in a place without light to face theproblems and leave fears behind.

In this same thought, many people associate black with the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood, since it is a period that requires the abandonment of certain behaviors.

In Ancient Egypt, black corresponded to resurrection and eternal life, considering that life emerges from darkness. The color was also the symbol of the Egyptian goddess of fertility, Bastet.

Among African peoples, in turn, the logic is reversed: while mourning is symbolized by white, black is able to bring healing and take death away. In other words, the meaning of black is much more related to each person's spirituality than to a specific rule.

How and when to wear black

But when it comes to fashion, the rules of etiquette tend to be less flexible. Remember at the beginning of the text we talked about the situations in which you would probably wear black? You probably answered funerals or gala parties. The answer was on the tip of our tongues, because we already know the occasions that call for this color.

If you are a person who has a lot of black pieces in your closet, this probably shows that you are an ambitious person who likes to convey elegance. It can also mean that you have a persistent personality, a perfectionist, and very problem-solving. That is, you always try to solve problems that come your way. On the other hand, deep down you are very afraid ofto make a mistake; and black is a way to hide this feeling behind the clothes.

Or, the constant use of this color is a way of expressing the desire for freedom and rebellion. This is the case for rockers, anarchists, witches, and various other groups that love to dress in black.

In any case, it is a color for those who have a strong personality and seek to achieve some kind of power and prestige. Therefore, a perfect occasion to wear black is at large and important parties, such as gala events. As they usually gather many notable people, it is a way to show your refinement without attracting so much unnecessary attention.

Another occasion that calls for black is wakes and funerals. Wearing black clothing when someone dies is a way of expressing respect to the deceased and also to their relatives, showing your condolences for those who are suffering.

Chromotherapy in decoration

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This therapeutic technique is very old and was already used in the first great civilizations. It makes use of the functions of colors to improve the well-being of mind and body, in order to ease symptoms and complement other types of treatment. Colors can be applied in various elements, such as lamps, clothes, food, windows and,mainly decorative objects.

In chromotherapy, black symbolizes telluric energy, that is, of the earth. As such, it neither gives nor receives energy. Its atmosphere is silent and has a repulsive effect. Still, it has its uses, considering that it has significant effects on our behavior and the way we relate to one another.

It can also be used as a counterpoint to the exaggeration of other colors in the patient's life, as a kind of antidote.

Because it conveys the idea of mourning and loneliness, black tends to be powerful when the goal is to provide the virtue of protection and the ability to concentrate on oneself.Thus, it helps convey authority and prevents emotions from taking over.

However, black should not be used excessively, as this can lead to submission, rebellion, and even a bit of temporal confusion. In this context, the Onyx stone is indicated.

Meaning of black in the New Year

During the New Year, wearing black clothes tends to be frowned upon by other people. This pre-judgment has to do with what we talked about spirituality: because of the huge influence of Catholic beliefs in our country, black is associated with mourning and negative feelings, therefore, it should not be worn during the New Year. In a moment of renewal, wearing this color cansound like an effrontery.

The meaning of black in the New Year is linked to mystery, self-analysis and also dignity. It is a color that attracts power, sobriety and manliness. Besides, as we have already seen, it transmits luxury, refinement and elegance in a way that no other color can.

During the turn of the year, black can be useful to protect against the negative energies of the environment, the people around you, or the year itself that is beginning. This is because it is the absence of color, and therefore of vibration, ensuring a safer and more stable new cycle.

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Black also attracts independence and firmness, and is a great option when planning to start a new project or make more assertive decisions in the future.

It has its pros and cons, as well as its most and least appropriate occasions. If you are interested in the subject, dive into this colorful universe and get to know the meaning of the other colors here at Eu Sem Fronteiras!