Colours are everywhere, from our favourite shoes and clothes to the wonders of nature and the universe above. Everything has a unique colour that enhances its beauty. Colours pretty much existed since the whole universe began and play a great part in everyone’s life, thanks to our sight with which we can see all the beauty of colours.

Many a times you may have rejected one colour over the others for countless reasons — perhaps it doesn’t suit you, because it looks dull, or it seems so old fashioned. But no colour is old and no colour is bad; it is simply our perception that we have developed from a very young age about colours. Each colour has its unique beauty and is special because of it.

Let’s explore some of the unique findings about colours that you probably didn’t know.

is special because of it.

Let’s explore some unique findings about colours that you probably didn’t know.

Red, the powerful!

Red is a powerful colour. It has the longest wavelength among all colours, which makes it the easiest colour to process by the developing receptors and nerves in a baby’s eye. So, according to many studies, infants as young as two weeks of age can distinguish the colour red.

Although a positive colour, it could pose a long-lasting negative impression on kids. From a very young age, kids start to perceive the colour red as an alarming sign. For instance, when they or anyone is injured they see blood which is red, while in school they notice their teacher signs or gives remarks in red, which not only alarms but affects their performance negatively.

However, in many cultures the colour red is used for its healing powers. For example, most red stones such as garnets and rubies were believed to have health-giving and disease-preventing properties. In ancient Rome, children wore red coral as a talisman to protect them from diseases, and in China, for similar reasons, children always wore a piece of red clothing.

Men and women see ‘red’ differently

It is interesting to note that women tend to see shades of red such as maroon, cardinal and crimson, whereas, men typically just see red. No varying tones, hues or shades — just red. The explanation lies in the DNA.

Researchers from Arizona State University found that there’s a specific gene that allows us to see and interpret the colour red. Women have two X chromosomes, while men only possess one. Because the particular ‘red-seeing gene’ sits on the X chromosome, it only makes sense that women would have a full understanding of the red hues, while men only have half the pieces to decipher the colour.

Anger management issues? Use pink!

Pink is a palliative colour, it soothes nerves and brings immediate serenity. And those who can’t manage their anger issues, they should use more of pink colour. Apparently, it suppresses anger and anxiety due to its calming effects.

Mental health care institutions paint their walls pink to control the behaviour of patients while many international prisons use the pink colour to calm down aggressive prisoners.

Choose car colour wisely!

The safest car colour was determined to be white. Based on many studies, white is the most visible colour under all conditions, except snow. Surprisingly, it also turns out that lime-yellow is the most visible colour on the road. But being not such a favourite or popular choice for a car colour, white remains a practical choice for most people.

Cyan, beautiful but less known!

The name cyan came from cyanobacteria or formerly called blue-green algae. These algae are a phylum of bacteria that obtain their energy through photosynthesis and contain a characteristic pigment which gives it blue-green colouration. They are found everywhere in mushy, terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats, but bloom typically in freshwater. When they begin to die and disintegrate, this pigment leaves a distinctive bluish colour in the water.

It can be poisonous, irritant to the skin, etc., however, this blue-green ‘cyanobacteria’ has been serving humanity in a number of ways. First, taking nitrogen out of the air and, second, starting a few billion years ago, they filled the atmosphere with oxygen, which we use for all sorts of things.

Lastly, they contribute in giving birth to various plants. So the next time you wear cyan-coloured dress, remember the importance of this blue-green algae which has given birth to such a beautiful colour.

Red and yellow ... yummy!

If you haven’t noticed it yet, notice now! Why do many fast food giants and restaurants prefer a red and yellow colour scheme?

According to many researches, the red and yellow colour scheme is the most appetising one, that is appetite simulating. Good for them, but bad for you! So those on diet should not paint their kitchen yellow or red because they will be tempted towards food. Perhaps using these colours can help to attract moody kids towards food and mealtime.

And the most popular colour is ...

According to various international studies, the world’s most popular colour is blue. Based on surveys conducted by several global marketing firms, 40 per cent of people worldwide picked blue as their favourite colour, followed by 14 per cent for purple.

Blue has qualities such as positive, authoritative and loyal, and it leaves an impressive impact on a person who wears it and people who see him/her.

What is cosmic latte?

The universe may appear like a vast expanse of darkness but the average colour is actually beige, according to Nasa scientists. The study was conducted on the colour of light emitted by 200,000 galaxies to see what the final mix would be if the entire sky was smeared out. It came out to be the beige shade.

Surprised? Yes, it’s a bland as scientists call it, ‘cosmic latte’ while other name suggestions include ‘skyvory’ and ‘univeige’.

Constant studies on the subject indicate that over the past 10 billion years, the bluer shade in the universe has been getting lighter as redder stars were becoming more prevalent, which are cooler stars.

Star colour is primarily an indication of temperature, so hot stars appear blue and as most energy is emitted in the bluer parts of the spectrum, it is now suggested that there is little emission in the blue parts. The study was conducted by American astrophysicians Karl Glazebrook and Ivan Baldry.

The findings suggested the universe has changed in colour over the last six billion years from pale turquoise to beige. Now it varies between a pale pink, cream and a soft turquoise colour, depending on the adaptation of the eye to different amounts of light.

For those redecorating to recreate the Universe at home, cosmic latte is somewhere in the middle.

Is black a colour?

There are two explanations to this. First, according to the additive colour theory, colours are perceived as lights so if there is no light, there is no colour. Thus, black is the absence of all colours and this usually happens when there is no light.

Next, according to the subtractive colour theory, colours are perceived as colouring pigment or agents such as paints. In this case, black is a colour.

Brown from mummies

We hardly consider the origin of colours, but this is the right time to question everything. Pigments are made from a variety of sources, including minerals, synthetically produced chemicals, plants and even the crushed bodies of insects.

This is where we come closer to the colour brown or ‘mummy brown’. There was once a very popular shade of brown pigment which was made from ground-up Egyptian mummies, both human and feline. The Pre-Raphaelite painters of the 19th century considered it one of their favourite colours. This authentic pigment was produced all the way up until the early 20th century, when finally the supply of available mummy remains was exhausted.

Debunking colour myths!

Bulls are agitated to see red colour!

Absolutely, a myth! Bulls have nothing to do with the colour red. It is only the cape’s movement that affects them. The matador moves the cape thus the bull go charging, so it is the movement which irritates him not the colour.

In fact, bulls don’t seem to have any colour preference at all. Any moving object — regardless of its colour — is a likely target for them.

Dark colours are depressing

Most people think dark colours are depressing but this is wrong. Dark colours are just powerful, elegant and sometimes mysterious, but usually sober.

However, when it comes to choosing paint, using dark colours in small places will give a dreaded ‘cave effect’.

Mosquitoes are attracted to blue and dark colours

According to Mr Joseph M. Conlon, a retired US Navy entomologist and a technical adviser to the American Mosquito Control Association, “Nothing that you eat affects mosquitoes all that much. “You can rest assured that wearing dark clothes probably won’t draw mosquitoes to you either.”— F.H.

What is eigengrau?

When you switch off the lights in your room — in time of nanoseconds, just before complete darkness takes over — you see a dark gray colour, the experts call it ‘eigengrau’.

Blue is also associated with truth/sadness

In recorded history, the primary association of the colour blue is with truth — a meaning that is remnant in the phrase ‘true blue.’ This is because blue is the colour of a calm and clear sky — a reflection that leads to truth.

But blue is also associated with sadness and despair. In Greek mythology, Zeus made it rain when he was sad; thus, the association with sad feelings, as in phrases, ‘Monday blues’ or ‘you’ve got the blues.’

Sir Isaac Newton invented the colour wheel

The colour wheel was invented by Sir Isaac Newton. He did it by splitting white sunlight into red, orange, yellow, green, cyan and blue beams; then he joined the two ends of the colour spectrum together to show the natural progression of colours. The colour wheel is a major concept in any colour theory class or course, and is crucial for certain careers, such as interior or graphic design.

Fear of colours

Chromophobia or chromatophobia is a persistent, irrational fear of colours. A severe form of this phobia can hinder daily activities and can make life self-limiting. People with chromophobia may correlate a distressing past event with a colour.

Red soothes chickens

Red is energising and overpowering but for chickens, it is the most soothing light as it helps them calm down, sleep better and avoid brawls with each other! Wow!— F.H.

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 3rd, 2016