The psychology and symbolic meaning of the color black. What does black imply and how does it influence us? Also, if black is your favorite color, or if you like to wear black, what does that say about your personality and psychological motivations?
Color Black Meaning & Symbolism
The color black is often associated with strength, wealth, elegance, intelligence, seriousness, negativity, evil, the unknown, formality, death, and power.
The color black is also associated with style. Black suits are often worn by business men and women; a black suit implies seriousness and professionalism. Black is a very versatile color that is very suitable for many situations, such as in business, weddings, and in our social and personal lives. There is much mystery connected to the color black. Black hides things and absorbs other colors. It can also be a very effective color for making other colors stand out.
In China, black symbolizes water, and it’s also considered a bad luck color. In Japanese culture, it’s seen as a color of experience and mastery. Black belts in the world of martial arts for example. In Christianity, black was considered the color of the universe before God gave light to it. The Devil is also sometimes referred to as the Prince of Darkness.
Wearing Black Meaning or Owning a Black Car
Black often looks good and professional to wear, so it probably means that they take a great deal of pride in their appearance. It could suggest that someone wants to appear high value and respected, and they wish to benefit from that value.
An alternative view: because black is not an attention-seeking color, the wearer is perhaps not looking to stand out. Because they’re not looking for attention or approval, their desire to look good is largely due to personal pride, to look good for themselves first rather than trying to impress others. It may also suggest a need for privacy, being secretive, or to detach themselves from society.
Black is a very common color for cars which may suggest conventional thinking and looking to conform with societal norms. They probably have a strong desire to be normal and to fit in, while appearing stylish, respectable and professional.
Personality if Black is your Favorite Color
You are a serious person. You may struggle to let yourself go and enjoy yourself.
You are a very independent person. You like to do things for yourself, and rarely ask others for help.
Due to your serious nature, you often seem intimidating to some people.
You are not in touch with your emotions. Your mind naturally suppresses your feelings and desires.
You have a rebellious nature, you dislike authority and being told what to do.
You like to feel strong, powerful, and capable.
You like to keep things to yourself, privacy is important to you and you like to keep a certain amount of mystery about yourself.
You don’t easily get close to people, you put up walls and barriers to protect yourself.
Positive Influences
Power
The color black is a very strong, powerful color that demands seriousness and respect. It can be an intimidating color, which also suggests discipline.
Elegance
Black is associated with elegance, style, wealth, and sophistication. Black almost always looks good and sleek.
Attractive
Black, like red, is associated with seduction and sexuality. However, black is less obvious about it. It has the combination of attraction, mysteriousness and dominance.
Negative Traits & Associations
Bad or evil
Often linked to and represented in story telling as evil, the light side and the dark side, the good and the bad.
The end of things
The color black can be a depressing color, and it has obvious connections with death, or the end of things, the end of a situation, or the end of an era.
Business & Branding
Businesses may use the color black in their branding out of simplicity, being conventional or safe or simply because of contrast and readability. Other motivations could be due to the associations of black, such as professionalism, strength, elegance, sophistication, and seduction.
Examples:
- Nike
- PRADA
- CALVIN KLEIN
- ZARA
- MTV
- Dior
- WWF
- Adidas
- Nescafe
- CARTOON NETWORK
- Uber
- Playboy
Meaning of Black Gemstones
Black gemstones or crystals include the onyx, jet, tourmaline, hematite and obsidian. The ancient Romans and Greeks often carved figures of Gods out of black onyx. More things that are black in nature.
Generally, black gemstones mean purification, willpower, confidence and, generally, being strong and stable.
Common Uses
- The color black is one of the main colors used for Halloween. It represents darkness, and when bad or evil creatures come to life or awaken.
- In England, (UK), the traditional taxi cab is the color black.
- Limousines, tuxedos, vehicles of high status and importance, for example, government vehicles are often black.
- It was often worn by Judges and Clergy members dating back to at least the 14th century.
- Black is the most common color used in print and ink in books and newspapers. It provides the most readable contrast against white paper.
- Office and professional wear is often black; shoes, trousers, suits and so on.
Interesting Facts
With subtractive RYB colors, black is created by mixing all colors together. For example, when mixing paint.
In light and the RGB model, black is the absence of light, or no reflected light.
If an object is black, people often perceive that object as being heavier than if it was white.
The color black was used to represent the color of the underworld in ancient Greece and Egypt.
Black holes are black because their gravity is so strong that even light cannot escape their gravity.
Black was the first color that artists used in cave paintings.
Color Phrases or Expressions
Blackmail: Meaning to threaten someone with something unless they do as required.
Blacklist: Means to exclude something or someone.
Pot calling the kettle black: A guilty person accusing someone else of being guilty, so a hypocritical act.
The New Black: Refers to something that is now a trend, or certain clothing which is now fashionable.
Black Sheep: Can mean or be used when referring to someone who is a letdown or disappointment. It can also mean someone who was an underdog, who was surprisingly successful, or exceeded expectations.
Shades of Black
More shades of black with HEX and RGB color codes.
Black Quotes
love wearing black my furnishings are black, bedding and i have a black cat -and i’m a male !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s modern and stylish. Almost always looks good without looking for attention.
you are satanic
Liking and Wearing Black does not mean your satanic.
I am!
I’m with you man !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-
I’ve been wearing clothes in black since my adolescence. My car, bedsheets, furniture, devices, shoes, and purses are blacks. Lol 😂
my mom always complains about me wearing black….just can’t help it, I naturally love it!
Same
To anyone who can answer my question, is it normal for a teenager to love the color black, brown and grey at this stage? I have been loving black so much since young and people criticized me so much. Is it normal? Like until now I love black?
I am a social worker and you can wear whatever you choose – its just a color.
The important thing is, why does someone choose it?
SAME
Well done. At least you stand up for your decision. Sometimes we do not have the reason to love black, its just that we naturally love black.
Same here dude!
Am highly addicted to BLACK….. I decided to change my whole t-shirts and shirts and shoes to black……babby….its doooppeee…..so ????
Me too!
Hi!! I want to know why I always have this attraction for red and black combination. If there are red and black somewhere… I will look it. What is the psychology meaning?
Thank youuu
Hi, Black and Red is a popular combination, both Black and Red are attractive colors that combine well together. The Black makes the Red more prominent, making it grab your attention.
I would say you have a particular sensitivity to color, abstract art and aesthetics in general. Also you like the balance between a need for privacy that Black provides, and energy which Red provides.
I will stop wearing black, the day they create a darker colour.
matte black is darker
Wao! Everything here is a picture of myself… that’s just who I am..
I am addicted to BLACK.
BLACK is BEAUTIFUL
BLACK is BOLD
I AM MADE OF BLACK
My doughter loves black for everthing even her room ,is it normal ???
She may be very sensitive to aesthetics, which could be linked to a creative mind. Anyway, being normal is over rated in my opinion.
I really love the color black! I don’t know why the people around me is negative towards black. I see black as an elegant color not an ominous one. Black is the perfect color for me. Second is Red <3
I love black bcoz it feels peace & comfort, though the world is field with beautiful colours but BLACK conquered all.
Now i come to know why i recently in past 2 years started to wear black clothers…i’ve everything black…clothes,watches, jeans, pants, phone ,Cycle too
I prefer and love black always.It’s not a negative colour. I love it because it brings positivity , graceful and enthusiasm in me.
Black is my lifestyle! Literally EVERY price of clothing in my closet, my room is painted black, my bedding, I dye my hair black, my nails always painted black, my truck I had painted black and even a custom license plate to show off my love of black! My grandmother only wore black as well, so I grew up around it, and wore black even as a child. Thanks grandma! Black makes me HAPPY, I feel protected, safe, pretty, I feel classy and put together. I’m a makeup artist, and I love experimenting with different lipstick colors with my all black canvas. Everyone knows me as the girl who wears only black, and I couldn’t be more proud. It’s more than just a color to me, it’s a part of who I am. ♥
I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE BLACK and reading about this really feels like I’m reading about me ?? but I have a question, what is the term or what do u call someone who loves black? I mean like the philia version of it just like “Thalassophile” meaning lover of the sea. I’ve been searching the internet but I can’t seem to find the term, thanks for helping ???
Hi, sorry i’m not aware of any term myself. Thanks for reading and thanks for the comment 🙂
Someone answer this beautiful lady already…
I need the answer too…
‘Melanophilia’ is (supposedly) the expression you’re looking for. But be honest to yourself. Would you like any such labels to stick to your personality?
Yess I love Black … Actually It Is My Favourite Color In Clothes .. When I wear Black I feel more Elegant, Stylish, and powerful … But In my bedroom wallpaper, Phone , Laptop Or shoes I love white , white silver , white pink , or cream colour …..☃️
Thank For The Article … ❤️
then sorry but you are not loyal with BLACK!!!!
Mom is so irritated that she is not letting me shop alone…Can’t help grabbing black every time.
Hi. I love black with dark purple colour.. can you tell me about these colour personality. Thank you!
Hi there. Take a look at the color indigo page.
I looooove black soo much. I have a lot of black in my house my loveseat my recliner my desk chair my dishwasher even my pots and pans and can opener and George Forman grill and even my nu wave oven is black .i love black a whole lot it is my happy color . I wish that my parents like black as much as me they don’t like black as much as me.i wish that I was allowed to paint my room black. But I’m not allowed if I did my parents would have a fit. I wear a lot of black. Black turtleneck ,black t-shirts, black, pants, black hats and black gloves and jackets and even shoes I wear black every day of the week sometimes I put on black lipstick every time I see something black it puts a great big smile across my face. When i’m in a black room I am soo happy.i love wearing black it makes me happy.
Jena: How awesome that you also love your appliances in black! The other predominant color in my house is brown – especially wood, which is my favorite material. I think black and wood together make a stunning combination.
I am looking for to know how black colour works in marketing .how it attract people. How companies use to sell their product. eg iPhone, royal enfield…
Zainab black and red are my favourites, I love these two colours a lot.
Black is like on top of other colors,like a King…
And People define it, according to their View. If they see negatives in things, so Black is negative to them, and Vice Versa 🙂
Omg I am inlove with black~
my mom always judges me to like pink and girly stuff ;-;
I am who I am!
Thank you for explaining that black can be associated with style, as well as wealth an intelligence. I can imagine that a business owner that wanted their business to appear sleek and professional would want to incorporate black into their logo or company design somehow. I actually find color theory really interesting, I would love to learn more.
I’ve always loved the color black – especially in cars. However, I absolutely don’t desire to “remain hidden or confirm to norms”. While I do love black for clothing, I also wear other colors. I am often drawn to black though – especially in electronics (my phone, tablet, TV, etc).
To remain hidden is connected to being high in defense instincts, it’s only one possible reason why people like the color black, and it won’t apply to everyone, the same with the conformity reason.
You might be more drawn to the associations such as seriousness, professionalism, prestige and/or the aesthetics.
Thanks for visiting.
I hate my job so I make sure everything I am wearing is black down to my boxers. When I am at home or out with family or friends I wear bright colors down to my boxers. Wearing black at work keeps me say sane and keeps others safe from harm.
i have many black dress and bags and it attracts me more more every days
Ignorant close minded people taunting me for liking color black. ‘Coz it’s not so common here in my country (the only place that practice roman catholicism in Asia). Often associated it with evil. So ignorant! We’ll they’re not the ones paying for these black furnitures, kitchen items & clothes that i bought, so i ignore them eventually.
Black is the absence of light, aka darkness, which is generally a more dangerous time or environment. Things can be hidden in darkness, so evil acts are more likely. The associations with death and evil will reach back to the first humans, so dating back thousands of years. The fear of darkness could even be built into us biologically, this would be known as an archetypal behavior.
I too have a lot of black furniture, and I like to wear the color black, due to aesthetics, and liking modern looking designs. There’s not much, if any connection at all to ancient meanings and modern day style choices.
I wear black all the time for making me feel more smarter and is make me feel good. My mam yours to wear black but now she really can’t stand wearing to much black now. My mam say’s to me you love wearing black and I do. Is my favourite colour to wear. No one don’t wear black in my house as mush as me. My sister sometimes wear a lot of black and some times she wear different colour. I wear it all the time For loving it so much.