There are many pieces of research on the effects of color on our psychophysiology. Colors influence our perceptions not only in the waking world but in our night visions as well. Whenever a nuance appears inside a dream, it holds valuable information for the dreamer’s inner world.
Colors in dreams are generally associated with our emotional states, yet they carry a wide range of symbolism. According to Carl Jung, colors in dreams can indicate our four psychological functions and the stages in the process of individuation. In Kundalini yoga, the seven chakras have their color symbolism as well.
Each color implies different cultural and religious symbolism as well. Additionally, each of us carries a personal association with the colors, which is of utmost importance for the dream interpretation.
The vividness or appropriateness of the colors in the dream are also clues to its interpretation. For example, dreaming of a green sky is a sign to pay more attention to that particular symbol.
Colors can offer both positive and negative meanings in a dream. You can think about your emotions while asleep, the dream’s context, and your life situation.
Dream Meanings of The Different Colors
Below is a general color symbolism that you can use to reveal the message of your dreams. To get a rich and accurate interpretation, think about your associations with the nuances below as well.
Red
Red is the color of passion, love, fire, and warmth. It stands for cordiality, courage, honor. Red is the color of blood and as such represents vitality, life, and motivation.
This color is also symbolic of the mother’s womb and femininity as a whole. Red is associated with the outgoing, dynamic, extraverted spirit. It can be uplifting and cheerful, or it can irritate the senses.
The negative symbolism of the color is associated with violence, horror, and cruelty. This is the color of warfare, death, and slaughter. Red is related to emotions like anger, jealousy, and pride.
In the Bible, red is the color of Christ’s blood. It represents sacrifice, martyrdom, and the flame of God’s love. Red is also associated with Judgment day and the apocalypse.
The spiritual meaning of this color is associated with the first Root chakra, Muladhara. This energy center represents our physical needs, safety, survival, and vitality. It reminds us to take care of our basic needs and remain grounded.
Orange
Orange is the color of warmth, friendship, and cordiality. It is related to the positive symbolism of the sun, the dawn, and the brightness of fire. This color brings optimism and charges us internally.
Orange is also associated with goodness, energy, enthusiasm, and self-respect. It awakens the senses like yellow and red but is not as bright as them. It also evokes the creative forces within the psyche to become active and is related to renewal and self-expression.
On the negative, orange can symbolize attention-seeking and exhibitionistic tendencies. It can signify flamboyant emotions and impatience, as well as superficiality.
The Buddhist monks wear robes in orange, as it has been the least expensive color dye at the time. Due to tradition, the monks are still wearing this color. Their robes symbolize simplicity and detachment from materialism.
The spiritual meaning of orange is associated with the second chakra, or the Sacral Chakra, Svadhishthana. This energy center in the body is related to excitement, physical needs, sexuality, and self-worth. It is associated with passion and the power to control and use our desires.
Yellow
The color yellow is indicative of solar symbolism as well. Common associations are hope and positivity, warmth, and life. It is associated with joy and harmony, intelligence, and clarity of the mind and heart.
In dreams, yellow is considered a masculine color and symbolizes the image of the Father. The bright nuances signify enthusiasm and balance, while pale yellow can indicate poor health, sadness, and betrayal. Yellow can have a negative connotation of egotism, jealousy, and cowardice.
In the Bible, yellow is the color of humbleness, as it symbolizes the body that will turn into ashes. It is related to the wisdom human beings can receive by being mortal.
In Kundalini yoga, this is the color of the Solar Plexus chakra, Manipura. This center represents the sense of identity and confidence in yourself. It is associated with the motivation and power to be yourself and act in accordance with your dreams.
Green
This color represents relaxation, peace, and balance. It is related to renewal, patience, and imminent hope. Green can bring healing or toxicity, it can soothe the nerves or signify danger.
It is the color of springtime and Mother Earth, so it can symbolize giving birth and prosperity, honor, and wisdom. Green is associated with rich and earthy love. It can also represent happiness among all created by nature.
The negative symbolism of the color is related to treachery, madness, illness, and immaturity. Green is also associated with feelings of envy, greed, and disgust. This color is symbolic of dangerous and muddy waters.
In the Bible, green symbolizes reflection and the desire for eternal life. Green is the traditional color of Islam. In the Quran, this is the color of garments, cushions, and carpets in paradise.
The spiritual meaning of green is related to the Heart chakra, Anahata. This energy center is associated with renewal, healing, and growth. It promotes empathy, forgiveness to oneself and others, and love.
Blue
This is the classic color of the skies and waters. It is symbolic of eternity, non-materiality, and spirituality. Blue is also associated with philosophy and metaphysical studies.
The positive symbolism of this color is related to trust, peace, intuition, and integrity. It is related to loyalty and courage and is considered a masculine color. Blue represents chastity, kindness, bliss, and heavenly love.
Dark blue symbolizes seriousness, knowledge, and power. Turquoise represents calmness, and its lighter nuances have a feminine appeal. Teal signifies sophistication, and aquamarine is symbolic of water and the unconscious.
The negative meanings of this color are related to emptiness, non-being, and death. Blue is also associated with sadness and loss of meaning. It can be cold and icy as winter and snow.
In the Bible, blue is the color of the robe of the Virgin Mary. It represents spiritual loyalty, the serenity of Heaven, and the soul’s peace in its realms. Blue simultaneously brings hope for the human spirit and death for the disappearing into eternity body.
The spiritual meaning of blue is associated with the Throat chakra, Vishuddha. The fifth energy center is related to our ability to communicate with others authentically and to listen to contrasting opinions. Blue thus symbolizes truth and clarity of thought and expression.
Purple
Purple is the color of imagination, magic, and creativity. It is symbolic of anything mysterious and spiritual. In this sense, purple can signify higher wisdom and clairvoyance.
This color also represents power and royalty. It can also signify loyalty, truth, and a certain amount of passion. In a dream, purple can indicate personal ambitions or visions of success.
The negative connotation of the color is associated with arrogance and cruelty. Purple can also symbolize grief or negative emotions inside a dream. It can be associated with extravagance, psychological disturbances, and immaturity.
In the Bible, purple is associated with repentance. It is also the liturgical color for the seasons of Advent and Lent.
The spiritual meaning of purple is associated with two of its nuances. Indigo is the color of the Third eye chakra, Ajna. It is linked with intuition, self-awareness, and spiritual wisdom.
Violet is the color of the seventh and higher Crown chakra, Sahasrara. It represents the ability to connect to your higher self and true purpose, the universe, and the divine.
Pink
Pink is the color of innocence, romance, and purity. It is symbolic of unconditional or childlike love. This color represents friendship and conviviality.
The positive meanings of pink can be kindness, goodness, playfulness, and calmness. This is a feminine color, so it is also linked to intuition and elegance. On the negative side, pink can symbolize immaturity, naivity, emotional lability, and a lack of confidence.
Pink is also associated with balanced spirituality that is not out of touch with the real world. It is symbolic of tenderness and delicacy.
Brown
Brown symbolizes the Earth and everything in the material world. It represents stability, endurance, and reliability.
This color is also symbolic of practicality, down-to-earthiness, and rationality. It represents simplicity and natural wisdom. Brown is also the color of physical comfort and hospitality.
On the negative side, brown can be related to physical or emotional disturbances. It can be symbolic of dullness, boredom, and predictability.
Black
Black is not a real color but rather the absence of light. As such, it symbolizes the unknown, the unconscious, and the repressed. Black is the color of the night and the dark side of our psyche.
Black consumes all other colors and holds them within it. So, its positive connotations are related to infinite potentiality and transformation. Black is also the color of style, elegance, power, and sexuality.
The negative symbolism of blackness is associated with depression, death, and emptiness. It also represents grief and sadness in dreams. According to the Bible, black has a similar meaning.
White
White is also not an actual color but intensive lighting. It is associated with purity, hope, and clarity. It is also related to renewal, cleansing, and emotional balance.
As white is a synthesis of all the other colors, it carries a potential for transformation. It symbolizes holiness, spirituality, and enlightenment. In the Bible, white is associated with bliss, immortality, and innocence.
The negative symbolism is related to emptiness, death, and loneliness. Similar to blue, white can symbolize depression, endless horizons, and loss of identity. It is also linked to fear and shame in dreams.
Gray
This is the color of neutrality and conservativeness. Gray symbolizes reliability, steadiness, and modesty. It is also associated with a lack of emotional reaction.
On the positive end, gray can symbolize intellect and maturity. On the negative, this color is related to emotional numbness, dullness, lack of certainty, and invisibility.
Gold
Gold is associated with transcendence and bliss. It is a metal of high spirituality, wisdom, and grace. This nuance is related to divinity, power, elegance, and beauty.
The color is associated with luxury and prosperity. It can indicate inner or outer richness, maturity, and style. The negative connotations of gold are related to arrogance, greed, false values, and materialism.
Silver
This metal is also indicative of wisdom and grace. The color silver indicates spirituality, transcendental knowledge, and a connection to the realm of spirit.
Silver is related to the moon, everything that is hidden and mysterious. It is also associated with elevated intuition and psychic powers. On the negative, silver can indicate a lack of connection with reality, greed, and emotional coldness.
Common Dream Scenarios About Colors
Light/Dark Colors in Dream Meaning
Dreaming of light colors can indicate positive emotions, safety, psychic balance, and feelings of hope. On the contrary, dark nuances can symbolize negative emotions and even depression. Darkness in dreams represents the unconscious, danger, and uncertainty.
Black and White Symbolism in Dreams
Dreaming of a combination of black and white can point toward the Yin/Yang symbolism. Such a dream can show the rise of spirituality from your unconscious.
You may indicate the need of integrating an opposite force or attitude to reach inner wholeness. The dream can also signal you to restrain from one-sidedness and adopt a flexible point of view.
Color Palette in A Dream
Dreaming of a color palette can indicate an inner richness of the personality. The multitude of colors represents different aspects of yourself. You may need to use or develop some of your qualities to help you in reality.
Is there a color that stands out in the dream? Or are you using the palette to paint? Is there a color that is missing?
Colorful Lights in A Dream
Having such a dream can indicate a festive mood or attitude that your unconscious is showing you. You may have accomplished something important in your inner or outer world that you need to acknowledge.
Such a dream may also indicate the need to shift your perspective and see a situation in more colors. The lights can serve as guides and lead you to something valuable in the dream.
Seeing a Rainbow in A Dream
A rainbow constitutes a wide range of colors. It symbolizes the wholeness of the personality when seen in a dream. It also represents hope and good fortune, new beginnings, and is associated with the richness of the psyche.
Room Painted in Color in A Dream
Rooms inside a dream are symbolic of a certain level or aspect of your psyche. First, think about what kind of room you see in your dream. Then, explore its symbolism and see if the color it is painted in feels appropriate to you.
For example, if there is a bathroom colored bright red, this can show you the need to unblock your emotions and get rid of what is holding you back. If you dream of a yellow cellar, this can indicate that you are shedding a light onto an unconscious aspect of your personality.
Clothes’ Color in A Dream
Clothes symbolize our Persona or the outer mask we put in front of others. What we wear also indicates the social role we represent at the current moment. Inside the dream, they can also point toward our emotional state.
If you dream of someone wearing black, it may indicate feelings of grief or inner transformation. When clothes do not match in a dream, this can signify insecurities or identity difficulties. Wearing only one color can point toward an attitude you adopt at the moment.
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Final Thoughts
This article sums up the intricacies of color symbolism, as well as the importance of the larger context of the dream and the personal associations.
If you have had a colorful dream recently, you can start digging into its meaning!
I dream in Color all the time but not one particular Color everything is the colours that it should be and I’ve also discovered that every dream has some truth in it some reality something that is actually real and not fantised most all the dream is just that unreal foolishness but there is always something that is very real that is in your present life
As you have observed, dreams have some truth, even when they seem absurd. Oftentimes, dreams are a reflection of our unconscious mind processing and understanding our walking life experiences and emotions.
In your case, the colors you see in your dream represent your emotional state. However, the correct interpretation of the vision will depend on the type of color.
For instance, red represents feelings of love and passion. At the same time, it symbolizes intense anger and rage. Orange and yellow show positive energy and happiness, respectively.