The Meaning of Black Color from the Perspective of Psychology and Culture, Not Just a Symbol of Mourning

Kapanlagi.com - Color composition is one of the important elements in the field of design. Each color is believed to have certain meanings and significances that will affect human psychology and physiology responses. Among various colors, black is one of the popular ones. In daily life, we can easily find various objects with black color. So, what is the true meaning of black color?

Black color might be a favorite color for many people. Because black is a neutral color, it can easily be combined with any other color. In addition, black color often brings various special impressions on different occasions. For example, elegant, luxurious, and so on. Yes, although it is classified as a neutral color, black color actually has various meanings.

According to various cultures, black color also has various meanings. Summarized from various sources, here is an interesting review about the meaning of black color that is worth knowing.

1. Meaning of Black Color in General

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In general, the meaning of the color black is often associated with dark and sad things. Therefore, black is often used in mourning situations such as death or disaster. Apparently, the view of black as a color of mourning and darkness is not something new. Black has long been used as a symbol for something dark.

The association of black color with negative connotations is not only applicable in Indonesia. As reported by eragem.com, in Western countries, the meaning of black also represents sadness and mourning. Moreover, black is also considered to represent various darker and darker things, such as magic, crime, war, evil, and death.

In the past, black color also symbolized rebellion, especially among teenagers. In the West in the past, teenagers wore black clothes to distance themselves from their parents and build their independence. It is not surprising that in movies, villains are often portrayed in black costumes.

However, in the end, the meaning of black color also undergoes a shift. Black is not only interpreted as a mystical and dark color. In the realm of fashion, black color now presents an elegant, prestigious, formal, and classy impression.

2. The Meaning of Black from a Psychological Perspective

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There are many approaches that can be used to examine the meaning of the color black. Psychology is one of them. As mentioned earlier, the meaning of specific color symbols can influence a person's psychological and physiological responses. Therefore, psychology is often used as a reference in assessing the meaning of a color.

From a psychological perspective, the color black has a tremendous impact on a person's emotions. The meaning of the color black can evoke various feelings, ranging from fear to awe or respect. In addition, the color black can also evoke feelings of sadness, depression, anxiety, secrecy, mourning, regret, and emptiness.

However, the meaning of the color black from a psychological perspective actually depends on the situation. For those who wear black with integrity and leadership, the meaning of the color black can represent self-control, self-discipline, and even protection. This means that psychologically, the meaning of the color black is not always negative. The color black can be positive depending on how the color is intended to be displayed.

3. Meaning of the Color Black in Various Cultures

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Aside from a psychological perspective, the color black also holds significance in several cultures. For example, in Feng Shui, the color black is associated with water, symbolizing tranquility, creating mystery, and promising strength. Therefore, black is often used as an accent color, providing a sense of order and calming elegance.

In some Indonesian cultures, the color black also has its own meaning. One of them is in Minangkabau culture, where black is one of the main colors or one of the three grand colors. In Minangkabau terms, these three grand colors are known as Marawa. As one of the grand colors, the meaning of the color black in Minangkabau culture represents the symbol of intellectual and moral wealth.

Meanwhile, in Javanese culture, the color black has a different meaning. The meaning of the color black in Javanese culture is a symbol of bravery, wisdom, and equality. Therefore, black often appears and dominates in various types of grand attire, such as royal clothing, wedding attire, and traditional batik clothing.

Those are some insights into the general meaning of the color black, from both a psychological and cultural perspective. Hopefully, this is useful and can answer your curiosity.

(kpl/gen/psp)