Color symbolism is an important tool for writers to create vivid imagery and atmosphere in their writing. In writing, colors often have strong associations and meanings that can be used to convey a certain mood, emotion, or theme. From the pale blue of a winter sky to the deep red of a beating heart, colors can be used to create powerful images and evoke powerful emotions. But knowing what colors symbolize what and when to use certain colors can be difficult. This is why listed below are 7 colors along with their symbolism in their writing, the different meanings associated with these colors, and tips for how you can them to create a more powerful story.
Red
In writing, the passionate color of red is often used to illustrate negative things such as death, violence, rage, bloodshed, and danger. But red is also a color that can represent great power and it's often used to set the tone of the scene or character. Red is also used to suggest strength, courage, and passion. It can also be associated with love, desire, and romance. Red often symbolizes danger and warning and can be used to highlight intense moments or a character's inner turmoil. Red can also be used to show a sense of urgency or importance, creating a sense of mystery and suspense to show a character's inner turmoil. In general, writers utilize red to highlight the intensity of a character's emotions, whether those emotions are lust, anger, desire, or fury. But there are many different types of red, some reds are very light, while others are as dark as blood. Listed below are different red things that may create symbolism in your writing:
Blood
Hearts
Fire
Strawberries
Wine
Orange
Orange is a vibrant and energetic color that often symbolizes joy, sunshine, and warmth in writing. Orange can represent energy, creativity, determination, and success. So it is often used to represent bright and positive energy, as well as a feeling of hope and optimism. Orange can also represent enthusiasm for life and a willingness to take risks. It can also be associated with feelings of contentment and a sense of belonging. Orange is often used to evoke a sense of vibrancy and excitement, and it can be a powerful tool for you to convey a range of emotions. Listed below are different orange things that may create symbolism in your writing:
Coral
Tangerines
Pumpkins
Peaches
Traffic Cones
Yellow
Yellow is seen as a gentle and warm color that is often used to evoke feelings of warmth, optimism, and cheerfulness in writing. Yellow can represent the sun, new beginnings, and joy. It is often used to describe a character’s positive outlook, a bright and sunny day, or a happy and cheerful atmosphere. But yellow can also be used to represent things with negative connotations. In a sinister context, yellow can symbolize cowardice or caution. It can also be used to represent envy, jealousy, and danger. Overall, yellow is a color that can be compared to a lot of cheerful and warm things, from dandelions to corn on the cob. Listed below are different yellow things that may create symbolism in your writing:
Sun
Chicks
Buttered Popcorn
Corn
Taxis
Green
Green is often associated with life, renewal, youth, and energy. In writing, the color green often symbolizes things that are budding or growing. It is used to represent growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. However, green is also commonly used to represent less-positive things, such as money, envy, greed, sickness, and jealousy, particularly in the United States. But apart from money and greed, the color green also has a calming and refreshing color attribute to it. You can use green to suggest stability and endurance. Green is also used to symbolize a safe passage or a path to recovery or success. In some cultures, green is associated with death or the afterlife. Listed below are different green things that may create symbolism in your writing:
Grass
Pistachios
Moss
Dollar Bills
Snakes
Blue
Blue is often used to symbolize calmness, peace, and serenity in writing. For many writers, blue represents relaxing and positive things such as loyalty, trustworthiness, and the ocean. But the color blue can be used to represent sadness, depression, or a feeling of being overwhelmed. It can also be used to represent a sense of hope and freedom or the opposite since blue can illustrate death and the feeling of being trapped in life. Listed below are different blue things that may create symbolism in your writing:
Oceans
Sharks
Butterflies
Waves
Blueberries
Purple
Since the beginning of time purple has been the color that has been most associated with royalty, power, wisdom, and ambition. But the color purple often represents different things in literature. In writing, purple is often used to create a sense of mystery, creativity, and a certain level of sophistication. It can be used to symbolize a range of emotions, including sadness, discomfort, anger, and even joy. It is often associated with the supernatural and the unknown, and it can be used to create a feeling of awe and wonder. Purple is a color that can help to bring a sense of depth and complexity to your story. It can be used to hint at hidden secrets or hidden meanings, as well as to create a sense of suspense or anticipation. Ultimately, purple is a powerful color that can be used to evoke a range of emotions and create a unique atmosphere in a story. Listed below are different purple things that may create symbolism in your writing:
Violets
Lavender
Eggplants
Jellyfish
Jams
Pink
Lastly, the color pink! Pink is a pretty color that has many connotations and meanings. In writing, pink is often used to represent innocence, love, and femininity. It can be used to emphasize tenderness and sweetness. Pink often symbolizes youth and innocence and is often associated with romanticism, charm, and grace. But the color pink can also be a sign of strength and resilience, representing hope and courage. It can be used to create a sense of calm, security, and comfort. In some cases, it can also be a sign of weakness or vulnerability. Pink has many meanings and can be used to create a variety of moods and feelings in writing! Listed below are different pink things that may create symbolism in your writing:
Flamingos
Sunsets
Ballerinas
Bubble Gum
Grapefruit
Though it can be challenging adding color symbolism to your writing can be a great way to make your story come alive! When writing make sure you add color symbolism to give your writing depth and emotion, and your readers will be sure to appreciate it! So, the next time you sit down to write, consider adding a little symbolism to your work and see how it can help you craft something truly special.