One question that I find has become general practice for me to ask a new person I’ve met is “what’s your favourite colour?” It might not be the first question you ask someone when you meet them, but it’s a piece of information that has become routine to inquire about. Mine has been blue for as long as I can remember, but it’s worth pondering why. Why do we have a favourite colour? On behalf of all those who have never known the answer, but continue to stick by a specific colour’s side like it’s a beloved pet, I’m here to tell you how psychological the answer is.
I don’t know about you, but when I find out someone’s favourite colour, I immediately make certain associations about them. It’s my way of trying to understand that person. If it’s yellow, I tend to think they are generally a happy person. If it’s red, perhaps they’re a little feisty and live on the edge sometimes. If it’s black, they might be heavily emotional and into rock bands. It’s not out of judgement, but I learned instead how much of it is psychology. It’s based on the emotional and mental effects that colours have on a person, cognitively and behaviourally.
Everyone interprets colour differently, and it may influence how one understands someone else. In terms of understanding ourselves, we associate colour with experiences we’ve had and objects we like. For example, if you have fond, happy memories of camping or other outdoor experiences, and your favourite colour is green, you could be connecting your memories to that colour because green is associated with the environment, peace, growth, balance, and restoration. It works both ways too, where green can also represent materialism and may become a dislikeable colour.
The colour wheel is quite fascinating when you attach a personality to it. Everyone has their own tastes, likes, dislikes, and feelings. It’s why everyone’s favourite colour is different. For myself, I prefer winter and the colder side of things, and I value communication and honesty. Those are some things that showcase why blue is my favourite colour. On a more common note, blue is the one of the most liked colours in the world, and it reminds others of clear water and blue skies — two natural things that satisfy people. Colour preferences can come from feelings as a result of personal experience. In a colour study test conducted by Karen B. Schloss and Stephen E. Palmer, some participants presented with the colour red thought of a positive image like strawberries, so it’s likely that they had a positive experience with the colour. On the other hand, others thought of negative images such as skin lesions.
The personal and familial connections we’ve made influence our liking to the colours we are drawn to. We might have a favourite colour, or just one we strongly like, because it reminds us of a significant person in our lives. For example, I often think of my dear aunt who loved blush pink. She had pink furniture and, for a long time, pink slippers she never went without. At the same time, I think of my grandmother because of how much she hates pink.
Not only can “your colour” tell others a lot about you, but it’s a part of how you discover your individual colour palette that sets you apart from the next person. It contributes to you learning what kind of style you like in a home and what kind of clothes you wear. I find that having a colour” provides us with a profound sense of comfort and happiness with our lives. Of course, your favourite colour can change, but when you have one, it feels like a lifelong companion. You can depend on it to see yourself more clearly; because when we know ourselves, we’re content with who we are.
Veronica is a Staff Writer at The Cascade. She loves to travel and explore new places, no matter how big or small. She is in her second year at UFV, pursuing the study of Creative
Writing.