Literature is one of the most interesting subjects out there. It offers a variety of skills and vast knowledge on various topics, from mythology to modern-day technology. The stories, poems and overall text help one strengthen their vocabulary, knowledge and critical thinking skill. One of the fascinating things is the colour symbolism present in writings. Colour symbolism is very striking and gripping. It is enjoyable to decode the message and the overall meaning of the text.
So, What is Colour symbolism?
Colour symbolism is the concept of using colours as symbols in literature to express or depict certain emotions or expressions. These colour symbols help the readers better understand and connect the various characters and events of the text. It makes the text look simple yet complicated through its meaning. Other than that, they provide a deeper context of the text.
Colour symbolism in Literature Usually, colour symbolism is used for the following purposes:
- For setting the scene
- To induce specific emotions
- To station the ambience of the text
- To make the text more exciting and easy while still having depth
Different colour symbols are used to display and convey different meanings and emotions of the writer. Similarly, various cultures, writing styles and genres have distinct colour symbols.
In France, writers were focused on just seven colours, which were used as their primary colour symbols for a long time. They felt that these seven colour symbols were enough to communicate and express love, romance, characters, relationships, and various emotions. French poets and writers used the following colour symbols: white, red, yellow, blue, green, black and brown.
Likewise, the fables and fairy tales have their own set of colour symbols. They have an abundance of colour symbols which help make them more and more appealing. These colour symbols keep the children and adults hooked, allowing them to find their meaning and interpretations. Hence, making reading a creative journey of self-inspection and discovery. They evoke emotional feelings in readers; as a result, they find it more relatable. For instance, in The Little Red Riding Hood, the red colour symbolises coming of age/ menstruation.
Similarly, in gothic literature, dark shades are used to conveys sentiments and actions, to give a realistic effect to the text. For example, black and red colours have a significant role. They help in creating the ambience of the scene. In the gothic text, black and red invoke both positive and negative. Red in gothic literature is the colour of passion, love, warmth and blood. On the other hand, black denotes evil, darkness, death, power, formality, elegance, mystery, and fear.
I hope this article helped you understand the significance of colour symbols and how they help the writer and reader communicate with each other freely. Colour symbolism is like writing a secret message that only the close circle understands. It is also a way to convey your message without giving out too many details. Last but not least, it helps the readers build a powerful and healthy bond with the writer, characters and text. Therefore colour symbolism is a crucial element for text and writers.
