The Language of Colour, An Introduction
kindly submitted by Melanie Howarth

Colour is, put simply, an energy vibration. We each have preferences and dislikes in the colour spectrum, but most would agree that a rainbow inspires joy. One of the most asked question when getting to know someone is “What is your favourite colour?” Why is this important? It is because colour has a language and has a meaning all of its own and gives great insight to a person’s psychological makeup.

In my experience the meaning of colour is most pertinent to the aura and cannot be separated from the colours of the chakras.

The aura surrounds the body and has different layers also. If you train your eye (third eye that is) these are clearly visible. They can extend out almost a metre from the body or just a couple if inches, depending on the energetic vitality of the person or the state of health or the strength of emotion being experienced.

Chakras are energy centres that are found in and external to the body. Ayurvedic medicine works with the energy of the chakras and nadis while Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese Shiatsu work with them same energy centres which they call "the triple burner" (TCM) and "Hara" (Shiatsu) and "pressure points" or "tsubo", which correspond exactly to the "nadis". Nadis or pressure points are intersections or places energy feeds into the body systems from meridians. Meridians are energy channels which run through-out the body, kind of like the ley-lines and energy centres on the planet (the microcosm-macrocosm theory in action), like tube lines with various stations

The quality of the colour gives an indication of the health of the particular chakra and the area of the body to which it is connected and the emotion it relates too. Muddy colours indicate weakness or blockages where as light bright colours represent health.

As colours in the aura are perceived individually, they are open to individual interpretation. What I outline here are meanings that I have found to be true personally, but are by no means original. They are mostly traditional meanings combined with my personal interpretation. The meanings may be very different for you. I also include crystals that can be used with each chakra. (This is by no means an exhaustive list and I use my personal judgment in this matter. A Crystal Therapist would be able to advise more fully when selecting stones to work with energy field).

Red = Root or Base Chakra
Crystals; Carnelian; Red Tigers Eye; Red Jasper; Rhodonite; Haematite
The base chakra is situated in the perineum between the anus and genitals and relates to our survival instinct and being "grounded". Therefore red relates to self preservation, our need for basic survival needs, security, acceptance and being grounded in the material world. It also relates to sexual desire. It is a colour of action and drama.

Orange = Sacral Chakra
Crystals; Golden Tigers Eye; Amber; Aragonite; Peach Aventurine; Orange Calcite
The Sacral Chakra is the seat of creativity and is situated in the lower abdomen within the pelvis. Orange is the colour of creativity, the nurturing instinct, vitality, sexuality and our ability to give birth to ideas. It is a colour denoting generosity and compassion.

Yellow = Solar Plexus Chakra
Crystals; Citrine; Yellow Jasper; Yellow Calcite; Sunstone; Iron Pyrite
The Solar Plexus Chakra is the seat of the ego and divine will and represents how we interact with the external world (anxiety is often found here). Yellow then represents the way we relate to others, being true to ourselves and the intellect. Yellow is bright and happy, like sunshine.

Green = Heart Chakra
Pink = Heart and Crown Chakra
Crystals; Malachite; Amazonite; Hiddenite; Chrysoprase; Jade
Crystals; Rose Quartz, Rhodonite; Pink Tourmaline; Pink Kunzite; Thulite
The Heart Chakra is the seat of love and empathy. It is from the heart that we connect to others and heal. This Chakra governs compassion, tenderness, love of God/Goddess, the self and others. Green is the colour of love, healing and growth and renewal, as it is found in nature. Pink is the raising of the Root Chakra energy to the Crown Chakra or Godhead, as in raising the Kundalini Serpent.

The Heart Chakra represents the centre of the energy body, joining the lower chakras which are more to do with the physical environment and the self with the higher chakras that relate to Spirit and an individuals connection to the Divine, the God/dess, the Creator, the All that is.

Turquoise = Nadis relating to Thymus Gland
Crystals; Turquoise; Aquamarine; Chrysocolla; Blue Green Jade; Larimar
Although not one of the traditional 7 chakras, this is a potent energy centre nonetheless. The colour Aqua relates to unconditional platonic love, Humanitarian concerns, compassion and universal spirituality. This energy centre is closely connected to the Throat Chakra and blends the energy of the Heart Chakra with that of the Throat Chakra.

Blue = Throat Chakra
Silver = Throat Chakra
Crystals; Lapis Lazuli; Sodalite; Blue Lace Agate; Azurite; Blue Tigers Eye
The Throat Chakra is the seat of communication, the colour blue relates to learning, telepathy and channeling, expression and universal truth, responsibility and an individuals vocation or calling.

Indigo= Brow Chakra
Crystals; Amethyst; Purple Flourite, Purple Jasper; Sugilite; Purple Smithsonite
The Brow Chakra or Third Eye Chakra is the seat of the intuition, and inner sight.
Indigo relates to the qualities of deep spirituality, completeness, Inspiration, Insight and Vision.

Violet = Crown Chakra
Pink = Crown Chakra and Heart Chakra
White = Crown Chakra
Gold = Crown Chakra
Crystals; Chevron Amethyst; Violet Apatite; Lilac Danburite; Lilac Kunzite; Lavender Jade
Crystals; Crystals; Rose Quartz, Pink Danburite; Pink Tourmaline; Pink Kunzite; Thulite
Crystals; Clear Quartz; Selenite; Angelite; White Celestite; Clear Topaz
Crystals; Gold Calcite; Yellow Celestite; Yellow Danburite, Yellow Kunzite; Petalite
The Crown Chakra is our connection to Spirit, the God Head. This is the power centre of the spirit. In paintings of great Teachers, prophets and Angels a white or gold Halo is shown. This is a depiction of the spiritual attainment and enlightenment they have achieved represented by the Crown Chakra. In Buddhist Tradition, The Crown Chakra is depicted as a 100 petalled Lotus Flower in pink, white or violet. Violet is similar in vibration to Indigo, but of a higher quality, combining qualities of pink as described above for the heart Chakra with Indigo. White and Gold correspond with the light of Divine Spirit and its heavenly messengers.

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When looking at the colours in a person’s aura, whether by looking at them, visualising with closed eyes while performing colour healing or via auric photography, what is important is the quality of the colour. Dark or muddy shades show that there are problems with the qualities embodied by that colour and blockages, therefore also physical problems relating to the area of the body the corresponding chakra is situated. One exception to this rule is red. Many find a strong red vibration too overwhelming and find an earthier dark rose red or maroon red more grounding and relaxing.

It is worth noting which colours are strongest, if it is the green blue indigo violet spectrum, perhaps that person is not grounded and too floaty and spiritually vulnerable. If reds oranges and yellows predominate, the person may be too focused in the physical material world. Someone whose heart chakra is dark may have closed themselves off from love for fear of getting hurt. Shadows, greys, dark colours and black holes indicate someone whose energy is seriously depleted, and can relate to serious trauma or hurt.

Auras and Chakras and crystals are not the only way we can use or interpret colour. People react visibly to colour in the environment and this is used knowingly by various organizations and enterprises, e.g. hospitals are green and pink, fast food chains are red and yellow, prisons are blue and so on. Using colour in your home can create a personal and soothing atmosphere and define different areas according to their purpose.

The colours you wear have a similar effect. Have you noticed that some colours make you feel really vibrant and others make you feel dowdy or out of sorts? What colour is your favourite top? Is it just the cut that makes you love it? The colours that make you feel and look good are usually complementary not just to your hair shade and skin tone, but to the colours in your aura. Have you ever been shopping and bought an outfit that looked great on the day, but never looked good again. Chances are that was a day when you were out of sorts and “off colour”. Sometimes we might wear a colour because we need to absorb the qualities of that colour into our aura. Using colours wisely can enrich your health, psyche, wardrobe, your environment and can tell you a thing or two about other people.

Be vibrant!
Be a Rainbow!