If I was asked what color is the most comfortable, kind and affectionate, I would not hesitate to name brown. This is an amazing color with such a variety of shades and nuances that it will suit any mood. True, for a long time, brown was not appreciated too much, considering it the color of the poor and plebeians. But this is completely unfair.
Nature brown
Brown is a complex color, it arises from the fusion of many colors. Depending on the shades, it can contain red and green, gray and orange, yellow and purple. That is, all the colors of the spectrum are involved in its creation, but unlike black, which absorbs them, or white – reflective, brown accepts and reflects the rays of light in a metered dose.
As a result, it has such a number of shades that is impossible for any other color: from the most delicate cream to the color of dark chocolate. And there are many names for these shades:
- brown;
- brick;
- cinnamon;
- chocolate;
- beige;
- bronze;
- copper;
- terracotta;
- coffee;
- mustard;
- sienna;
- umbra;
- the color of the giraffe’s belly is brown with a yellow tint;
- Lord Byron – orange;
- in the 18th century, a red-brown shade called “fainting flea color” was popular.
The variety of shades also determines the numerous nuances of the effect of this color on a person. But with all the variety, it has predominantly positive, calming properties.
Physiological influence of brown
All shades of brown contain to one degree or another the colors of the “warm” part of the spectrum:
- Red,
- Orange,
- yellow.
Therefore, brown is a warm color that warms, but does not burn, but gives a cozy warmth. In a room with walls and furniture painted in this color, it seems a few degrees warmer than in other rooms of the house.
Thanks to the shades of red-orange included in it, brown has a light, gentle stimulating effect:
- increases physical endurance;
- improves blood circulation;
- activates the work of the heart;
- enhances immunity.
But the stimulation of brown is combined with a slight sedative effect, because cold blue-violet tones are also present in it. Therefore, brown lowers blood pressure, somewhat inhibits processes in the autonomic nervous system. The effect of this color is useful for people who are tired and weakened after an illness, as well as with nervous overload. Once surrounded by brown, especially light shades, a person sighs with relief and realizes that you can not rush anywhere, but simply relax with pleasure.
Brown and psyche
This color is great for soothing and relaxing. But the sense of peace that brown gives is not like the detached, cold indifference of blue. This is the peace of home, cozy warmth, a comfortable soft sofa, a cup of aromatic tea or coffee with air foam and, of course, a fluffy blanket. Brown is the crackling of a fire in a fireplace or stove, the rustle of autumn leaves and a kind shaggy dog curled up at his feet.
Warm brown is one of the best ways to combat the effects of stress. An important role here is played not only by the physiological inhibitory and calming effect, but also by associations. The color of wood, earth and fresh bread has a surprisingly beneficial effect on the human nervous system. Brown not only calms, but also increases self-esteem, self-confidence, gives rise to a feeling of stability and reliability.
Psychological research has also shown that brown, especially its lighter shades, has positive social effects. It sets people up for team activity, facilitates business contacts, but at the same time helps to maintain the necessary distance in communication.
Brown symbolism
With all the variety of color symbols, brown in modern culture is strongly associated with respectability, stability, homeliness and family values. This color also evokes carnal pleasures, delicious food and bodily pleasures. This is perhaps the most sensual of all colors. If red is passion, then brown is pleasure, unhurried pleasure.
There are few negative meanings in the symbolism of brown, but they are still there. Moreover, most of them were born in the Middle Ages, when brown was associated with a mundane, boring life, poverty and hard work, since brown clothes were worn mainly by the poor and peasants working on the same brown land.
And already in the XX century, this color began to be associated with the idea of a military dictatorship, since it was associated with the form of the first fascist detachments. No wonder fascism is still called the “brown plague”.
But in general, the negative symbolism of this color is not dominant and does not interfere with the beneficial effect of brown on the human psyche. Therefore, the attitude towards this color is mostly positive.
