are there likewise certain color wavelengths that our brains are programmed to appreciate?

Question

Just as there are musical frequencies we find more pleasing than others, are there likewise certain color wavelengths that our brains are programmed to appreciate while others we find less pure, beautiful or aesthetically satisfying? If so, do these colors appear in nature more often and could this explain why we find them satisfying?

Answer 1

I believe that cross-cultural studies of aesthetics have found that some of the more general associations with colours are pretty much universal. And while some links might be attributed to chance, others seem not to be (link 1).

As far as being pleasing or beautiful, it's my understanding that has more to do with SHAPE than colour. As others have mentioned, primitive societies typically have few colour words and little experience with colour. For complicated ideas such as 'safety' and 'peace', I think you'll have to turn to actual images (and sounds) instead.

Again, in most cross-cultural studies gentle curves and vertical lines are found to be generally pleasing. Reminiscent of trees in a forest? One theory among many.

Answer 2

I am an artist and have noticed that people are draw to blue more often.

I don't know why, some ideas I've pondered are that it is the sky...good weather abounds..life is good?

It is the tranquil sea....and relatively rare in the animal and plant kingdom. With only the most beautiful creatures and flowers possessing it.

The Pure colors or un muddied colors are considered beautiful...the clean...pristine colors those found in rainbows.
Crisp colors.


I think it could have something to do with survival...

also I am a believer in the Chakra color associations....and color therapy and healing.

There is no denying in my mind that colors evoke strong feelings and attraction or repulsion based on the given mood or desires of an individual.

I feel these color correlations to be true alot of the time for balance of:


7th crown=yellow-gold or violet

6th intuition= indigo

5th communication= blue

4th heart= green

3rd solar plexus= yellow

2nd sexuality= orange

1st root= red

I can tell so much about what someone is feeling by their color likes and dislikes from this list.

I think rare gem stones and iridescents also invoke a sense of beauty.

Answer 3

I believe it's dependant upon the individual. In nature, animals prize the color blue because it's so rare. Many mating dances involve the color blue in some way because of its rarity. It brings pleasure because there isn't much of it. I don't really like blue that much, myself, I like green (which is abundant). I think each person is destined to like certain colors at birth, but there's no human inclination to like certain colors, since there's such a vast array of color tastes in the world.

Answer 4

i wonder that, too.. i bet most of our appreciation or lack thereof for certain colors is due to associations we have. but on the other hand..

i know my high school painted walls & lockers certain colors for *psychological* reasons.. supposedly certain colors are more soothing, and other colors encite more emotion.. but then again, who knows if that's just because of our association with them?

i'd say it's probably a combo of both.. with less nature than nurter. :)

Answer 5

yes. If you start looking into functional MRI you will find a plethora of answers for many of the questions you ask.

Answer 6

purple has long been associated with royalty and luxury. there must be something in that. and kids love it too