Gray is a color that most people associate with sadness and indifference. It is a color that we find in some animals (elephants, rhinos, wolves and others), clouds (especially cumulonimbus), ash, silver and lead. In the following lines we explain the meaning of the gray color and some curiosities about it.
From an optical point of view, gray is the result of the union of black and white.. In fact, darker tones are perceived as close to black and lighter ones to white. It is said to be an achromatic colour, which also allows it to be classified as neutral. In English its use is recorded from 700 AD C., while in Spanish from the 12th century.
Characteristics of the gray color
Although we often think that gray is a marginal color, in reality if we analyze a little we will discover the opposite. It’s a color that’s complemented by black and white, so we’ll almost always see it alongside these two. Grayish tones can also be obtained by combining orange and blue; red, green, and blue, and also combining cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
In general, experts tend to classify two types of gray: warm and cold. Of course, both have hundreds of tones considered as such. In certain contexts it is a color to avoid in infrastructures, because it is has the ability to raise the surrounding temperature. We leave you with some curiosities about the gray color:
- Hair turns gray as we age because the production of the pigment melanin stops. Initiating the process, the hair turns gray and then turns white.
- It is not a common color in vexillology. The flags that make it up are counted, especially those of departments or regions within a state (in Colombia there are few).
- It has been used by both conservative and liberal parties, especially in Germany. It is a color associated with Francoism.
- In general, clouds appear gray because of their depth, the shadow of other clouds, and because they are larger.
- The gray color in the eyes is the rarest in the world. It is estimated that less than 1% of the planet has this color of eyes.
- It is a color associated with communist architecture.
- In black-and-white photos or videos, gray is the primary color.
- The gray matter of the brain is actually gray. There’s also its other side: the white matter.
- Different shades of gray have been a must in the fashion industry. Think about the importance of the gray business suit.
- Many of the jewels are gray in colour.
- Some animals have gray fur to blend in with their surroundings. This usually changes to white during the winter (happens with hares, foxes and others).
While it is true that its role cannot be compared to that of primary colors, it cannot be said that it is a color that goes unnoticed. The same can be said of the coordinates of psychology, which we will analyze in the next section.
Meaning of gray color in psychology
Since it is a neutral color, the meaning of gray color does not have much impact on people’s personality, behavior or mood. At least not in contrast to other color groups. researchers I found it the gray color is associated with passivity (inactivity) and in certain contexts with negative aspects.
Indeed, it seems to be a color that captures the worst of black and white. This is of course in a general way, as each person’s tastes or particularities may dictate their acceptance of her. We leave you with the meaning of the gray color in psychology:
- Its excessive use can convey a bland, lonely and empty feeling. Upon receiving it, people may feel that way when using it.
- It can also be associated with a carefree style. While wandering between black and white, two colors with a formal tradition, it manages to convey an informal essence.
- It’s a color that tends to appeal to introverts. In this way they avoid attracting attention in everyday social contexts (extroverts prefer red, yellow or blue).
- Many people may associate the color gray with old age.
- In very general terms, and without wishing to be stereotyped, gray is considered too weak to be masculine and too tough to be feminine. This is why it is one of the least chosen colors when finding a favorite..
- As many associate it with old age, it can also represent wisdom, experience or authority.
All these reports show that, in its right measure, gray has a psychological impact on people. Of course, it can also be associated with sadness or cold; partly because it is a color that identifies with the winter season.
Meaning of gray color in different cultures
Although at this point we have already detailed almost everything related to the color gray, we leave you with some information that you may find relevant around this color:
- In ancient times it was the color most used by the poor (they used undyed wool as clothes).
- Some monks and friars used it as a symbol of humility.
- In the Catholic religion, gray is a color associated with ash, so it is a color of mourning.
- Some Taoist priests often wear gray.
- Some Buddhist monks in Japan wear gray or black robes.
- It was a relatively fashionable color among painters from the 17th century onwards.
- In Europe it was a fashionable color for women in the mid-18th century.
- It was a color used in various militaries around the world. The best example is the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
- It was the favorite color of industrialization after the industrial revolution.
We hope that the data we have mentioned has been of great interest to you, as it has brought you closer to the meaning of the color gray. True, it’s not transcendental like other colors, but that doesn’t imply that it’s a marginal color.
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