Scientists have determined that we in fact live in a light and dark world. The colors we attribute to things are merely the reflection of light off of an object. The images are transformed into electrical signals and then analyzed by our brains. The brain, in fact gives us color and brain injured people can actually lose the ability to see color. Our retina contains two types of photo receptors, rod and cones. The cones are those receptors sensitive to color and the rods are sensitive to light. There is evidence that there are three different types of cones. Of the 6-7 million cones 64% are red, 32% green and 2% are blue. Not having or having a poorly functioning cone type can result in color blindness with reds and greens the most difficult to see. Males are more likely to experience color blindness since the genes for color vision are attached to the X chromosome. The male has only one X chromosome and females have two. There are women who are color blind, but not at the same frequency as with men.
Human color vision currently is on the decline and statistically 1 in 200 women and 1 in 10 men are color blind. To an extent all of us are color blind since there are more colors in the spectrum than we can see. Some animals can see colors we cannot, such as ultraviolet light. The damsel fish uses complicated UV patterns to communicate. Also, some animals see color better than others dogs, cats, mice and rabbits see mostly gray, blue and yellow. Monkeys, squirrels, birds, insects, and fish can see a fairly good range of color.
Have you noticed that in dim light you ability to see color diminishes? That’s because the rods work best in dim light and it is the cones that cause us to see colors.
In the 1660’s Sir Issac Newton discovered that passing light through a prism caused it to break apart into several different colors. We see these separate colors as those in a rainbow. Color plays an important part in our lives. Consider what life would be like if everything was black, white or shades of gray.
Color and Sound
We have determined that color is derived from light and that both light and sound are composed of electromagnetic frequencies. Sound has slower frequencies than light. Sound frequencies run between 10 to 10,s of 1,000’s of cycles per second while light frequencies are billions of cycles per second. Another way to look at it is that light is speeded up sound while sound is slow moving light. Temperature and humidity do not affect the color, but they do affect the wavelength. The wavelength determines what color is visible to us. Humans see colors between 390nm to 750nm with red being at the top of the spectrum with 700nm and violet towards the bottom at 400nm. 1000nm puts the wavelength into the infrared range and 300nm puts it into the ultraviolet range. I once read an article where someone placed different colors of dyed worsted wool yarn into identical glasses of water. The lasses were then struck with an implement to create sound. The sound emitted changed dependent on the color of the yarn in the glass.
It is not surprising that electromagnetic frequencies affect our bodies and brains. Our human system generates an electromagnetic field and therefore, color and sound frequencies could very well have an impression on our daily lives. Consider why you like a specific painting in an art gallery. Is it of dark or light colors? What is the predominate color? How were you feeling before you noticed it? How does it make you feel? Music has the same capabilities just in a lower frequency. What if therapy used both?
Synesthesia
Believe it or not, there are people who see colors when musical notes are played or when reading they may see two colors—the actual color of the ink and another synesthetic color. Perhaps they see the letter “A” in black ink and the letter “A” also might be in magenta. The funny thing is that not every synestheic person relates the same color to the same letter or number. They all do, however, for those who associate music and color see lighter colors with higher tones, loud tones are brighter, and low tones show darker. Synesthesia is seven times more common in creative people, 1 in 23 people have some form of synesthesia and 1 in 90 have colored synesthesia. There are at least 100 different types of synesthesia. Can you imagine seeing color whenever music is played or trying to read or do math with every letter or number appearing in a different color?
Color and Psychology
Color does impact our emotions as does music, and therapies have been developed using both color and music. Color therapy is sometimes called chromo therapy. Color therapy has been used for thousands of years, the Egyptians, Greeks and Chinese used color to treat people’s ailments. In fact, papyrus dating back to 1550 B.C. has been found listing color cures. In 1810, Johann Goethe wrote “The Theory of Color”, which chronicled his studies of the physiological effects of color. He grouped color into two groups: happiness (red, orange and yellow) and sadness (green, blue, indigo and violet). We know his groups as warm and cool colors today. Cool colors have a calming effect on the body while warm colors serve to stimulate a person.
Research also has shown that plate colors that contrast with the food on it help people eat less.
Think about the reaction you have when the color of an object is not the color you usually associate with that object. Green eggs and ham affects you differently psychologically than yellow eggs and ham.
Feng Shui and Color
Some people have adopted the concept of Feng shui which looks at color and spatial arrangements as impacting our lives.
Purple
Not recommended as a home wall color. Use sparingly since some Feng shui masters believe that a large amount of purple may trigger blood disease. May be used freely in a healing or meditation room.
Red
Signifies richness and luxury, however, too much red can bring bursts of anger and over stimulation. Best to use in details and accessories.
White
Will soothe your psyche and spread healing vibrations. It is the most versatile color.
Pink
The universal color for life and is good for being soothing. When used too much indoors, pink can create a floating effect.
Yellow
Brightens any room creating a cozy welcoming feeling. Yellow may work to increase self esteem and strengthen overall health and well-being.
Green
Nourishing to your health as it calms nerves. It is important to use several shades of green.
Blue
Light blue brings harmonious expansion and gentle growth while dark blue brings deep calm and serenity.
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