Exploring the Profound Impact of Colour & Colour Therapy: Harness the Healing Power of Colour
Whether we know it or not, colours have a remarkable influence on our everyday experience of life from our emotions, perceptions, and overall well-being.
Known in medical terms as Chromotherapy, colour therapy is a holistic approach that utilises the healing properties of colours to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual balance.
This ancient practice has been recognised across cultures, and though it is considered controversial to some, colour has the ability to impact our lives and create balance and unity and raise vibrations in the areas of our lives we most need it.
Through colour, we can unlock a powerful tool for self-care and personal transformation. In this article, we will delve into the significance of colour therapy, exploring its origins, principles, and therapeutic benefits.
Hilma af Klint, 1907, Altarpiece No.1, Group X, Altarpieces.
Historical Roots of Color Therapy
The concept of colour therapy can be traced back thousands of years to ancient civilisations in Egypt, Greece, and China. These cultures recognised the healing and alchemical potential of colours and incorporated them into various practices.
One of the earliest recordings of colour therapy can be found in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians used coloured solarium rooms to expose individuals to specific hues that were considered to hold therapeutic purposes. Each colour was believed to carry healing energy to treat specific ailments.
Using sunlight passing through coloured glass or gemstones, they could transmit the energy and healing properties of the colours onto the body.
In ancient Greece, the philosopher Aristotle explored the effects of colours on human emotions and behaviour. He proposed that colours had psychological and physiological influences on individuals.
While he did not explicitly discuss colour therapy as it is understood today, he explored the psychological and physiological influences of colours.
Aristotle believed that colours directly impact the human psyche and could elicit emotional responses. He proposed that different colours could evoke specific emotions or moods in individuals. For example, red was, and still is associated with anger and aggression but also passion and desire. Yellow, on the other hand, was connected to cheerfulness, and blue with calmness and serenity.
His observations noted that colours could influence human behaviour and perception. Aristotle recognized that the arrangement and combination of colours could affect how people perceived their surroundings. He observed that lighter colours tended to create a sense of spaciousness, while darker colours gave the impression of being more confined or intimate.
Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine system that originated around 5,000 years ago, also incorporated colour therapy. Ayurvedic texts mention using colours, gemstones, and light as part of holistic healing practices. Specific colours were associated with balancing the body's energy centres, or chakras, to promote physical and emotional well-being.
In modern times, colour therapy gained renewed attention in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Pioneers like Dr Edwin Babbitt and Dr Dinshah Ghadiali developed systems and devices for utilising colours in therapeutic treatments. In their studies, they explored the healing effects of colours and contributed to the understanding and popularisation of colour therapy.
Details of the Summer palace in Bukhara, Uzbekistan with coloured glass to shine colour onto the interiors.
Tanetperet prays to the sun god Re-Harachte, who radiates her with lotus flowers (colour).
Understanding Color Psychology
Also known as chromotherapy, colour therapy is based on the idea that colour and coloured lights can help treat physical or mental health. According to this idea, they cause subtle changes in our moods and biology.
Colour psychology forms the foundation of colour therapy. As mentioned, different colours evoke distinct psychological and emotional responses within. Red is associated with energy, passion, and stimulation, while blue signifies calmness, tranquillity, and relaxation. By utilizing this knowledge, colour therapists can strategically apply colours to influence mood, behaviour, and overall well-being.
The Tarot uses colour to aid in reading the cards and understanding the deeper meanings within each card.
Therapeutic Benefits of Colour Therapy
Colour therapy offers a range of therapeutic benefits across physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Some key benefits include:
Emotional Well-being: Colors can influence our emotions and mood states. Utilising colour therapy techniques can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, promoting emotional balance and inner harmony.
Physical Healing: Different colours carry unique vibrational frequencies that affect the body's energy system. Colour therapy can address various physical ailments, such as insomnia, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.
Enhanced Cognitive Function: Colours stimulate brain activity, enhancing focus, concentration, and memory. Colour therapy techniques can be particularly useful for individuals with learning difficulties or cognitive impairments.
Spiritual Growth: Colours are associated with different spiritual attributes and can facilitate spiritual growth and self-discovery. By working with specific colours, individuals can deepen their connection to their inner selves and higher states of consciousness.
Alejandro Xul Solar, Pan-Tree, 1954, watercolour and ink on paper board
Colour speaks all languages
In colour therapy, different colours are associated with specific healing properties and have distinct effects on our emotions, energy, and overall well-being. While the interpretation and use of colours may vary among practitioners, the following are commonly recognised colours in colour therapy:
Mark Rothko, Untitled (Red on Red), 1954.
Red
Red is associated with energy, vitality, and passion. It is believed to stimulate circulation, increase motivation, and provide a sense of grounding and strength. Red is often used to boost physical energy and address issues related to fatigue or low self-esteem.
Flaming June, by Frederic Leighton (1830-1896)
Orange
Orange is a warm and uplifting colour. It is associated with joy, creativity, and enthusiasm. Orange is believed to stimulate the immune system, enhance emotional expression, and promote optimism. It is often used to address issues related to depression, low mood, or lack of motivation.
Yellow
Yellow is associated with the sun, joy, warmth, and mental clarity. It is believed to promote intellectual stimulation, concentration, and optimism. Yellow is often used to enhance mental agility, alleviate depression, and promote a positive outlook.
Vincent Willem van Gogh, 1888, The Sunflowers
Green
Green is associated with nature, growth, power and balance. It is considered a calming and harmonising colour. Green is believed to promote relaxation, soothe the nervous system, and restore balance. It is often used to address issues related to stress, anxiety, and emotional disturbances.
Blue
Blue is associated with calmness, serenity, and inner peace. It is believed to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance communication. Blue is often used to address issues related to insomnia, anxiety, and high blood pressure. It is also associated with healing the throat chakra and elevating the ability to communicate clearly.
Henri Rousseau, Fight between a Tiger and a Buffalo, 1949
Indigo
Indigo is a deep blue-purple colour associated with intuition, spirituality, and self-awareness. Indigo enhances discernment, stimulates the imagination, and promotes spiritual growth. Indigo is often used to address issues related to spiritual development, insomnia, and imbalances in the third eye chakra.
Violet
Violet is associated with spirituality, transformation, and inspiration. It is considered a colour of higher consciousness and spiritual connection. Similar to Indigo, it promotes intuition, but on a much higher frequency to promote emotional healing and support meditation practices. It is often used to address issues related to spiritual growth, stress, and emotional imbalances.
How to incorporate colour therapy into your life
Colour therapy can be easily incorporated into everyday life to enhance well-being and promote balance. Here are some practical ways to use colour therapy in your daily routine:
Surround yourself with colours: Be mindful of the colours present in your environment. Choose clothing, home decor, and accessories that reflect the energy you desire. For example, if you need a boost of energy and motivation, incorporate more red or orange hues into your surroundings. If you seek calmness and relaxation, opt for blues and greens.
Wear colours consciously: Select your outfits intentionally based on the emotions or energy you wish to evoke. For instance, if you have an important presentation and want to convey confidence, wear a powerful colour such as red or purple. If you're seeking a peaceful day, opt for soothing colours like pastel blue or soft green.
Colour visualisation & meditation: Take a few moments each day to visualise and immerse yourself in specific colours. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and visualise a specific colour that resonates with your current needs enveloping your body and filling you with healing energy. Focus on the sensations and emotions that arise as you immerse yourself in that colour. Imagine yourself surrounded by that colour, absorbing its energy and allowing it to bring about positive changes. This practice can help balance your energy centres (chakras) and promote overall well-being.
Colour in your meals: Have you heard the term, eat the rainbow? By introducing colourful fruits and vegetables into your diet, your body will receive a wide range of benefits from each colour group that provides unique nutrients and energetic properties. Ruby tomatoes, orange carrots, yellow bell peppers, rich green leafy vegetables, and purple berries & beets. Not only will this make your meals visually appealing, but it will also provide a balanced range of nutrients.
Colourful baths: Transform your bathing routine into a mini colour therapy session. Add a few drops of essential oils or natural colourants to your bathwater. Research the therapeutic properties of different colours and choose the one that aligns with your needs. For example, adding blue chamomile essential oil can promote relaxation and ease muscle tension.
Colour-inspired artwork or crafts: Engage in creative activities that involve colours. Paint, draw, or engage in crafts using colours that resonate with your emotions or goals. Allow the act of creating with colours to be therapeutic and expressive, promoting self-reflection and emotional release. Colouring-in has recently become hugely popular as a form of meditation and self-healing.
Colour therapy presents an invaluable tool for self-care, healing, and personal transformation. Through the intentional use of colours, individuals can tap into the profound influence they have on our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. While colour therapy is not a substitute for medical treatment, it can complement conventional approaches and provide a holistic approach to wellness.
As interest in alternative healing modalities continues to grow, colour therapy stands out as a time-tested practice that offers immense potential for promoting balance, harmony, and overall well-being. By embracing the therapeutic benefits of colour, we can embark on a colourful journey towards self-discovery.
Remember, the intention and personal connection you establish with colours are key in practising colour therapy. Experiment with different techniques and colours to find what works best for you. Embrace the power of colours in your everyday life, and let them inspire and uplift you on your journey to wellness.
It's important to note that colour therapy is a complementary approach and not a substitute for professional medical treatment. The use of colours should be done under the guidance of trained practitioners who can tailor the therapy to individual needs and preferences.
