Black is Black

As I am feeling very dark and down, I thought I'd pick

Black

for today's colour investigation....

The colour black, as you probably learned at school, happens when an object is absorbing all the coloured wavelengths at once - it is all the colours in one. After this was discovered, artists in the 19th century no longer used pure black pigments, but instead mixed colour to create different shades of dark.

"There is no black in nature..."
was the popular excuse the Impressionists gave for their rejection of pure black.

Attributes:

Negativity or the removal of negativity. Outer space, the universe, night. Fertility, wisdom, sadness, mourning, loss, death, discord, confusion, fear and evil. Black is the absence of colours, absorbing all the light of the spectrum.

Characteristics:

Black personalities are methodical statisticians who want every thing done in detail. The make fine accountants and tax IRS auditors and collection agents. They always finish what they begin. Although not leaders, under direction, they are hard-working fixers who zero in on the essence of any problem. They tenaciously love to find the mistakes and faults of others like detectives or puzzle fans.

People who like black hold things inside and do not want to be touched. They put a barrier between themselves and others, keeping their strength inside so that they can better protect their emotions. They want no one to take advantage of their sensitivity despite their wish to be part of the world around them.

For many, black is a 'comfort' colour, making them feel at ease and when necessary, allows them to hide from world. The 'evil' aspects of black are largely and historically religious in nature in our western culture. Other people use black for celebration and marriage attire. The irony is that we wear black to funerals but also to the most elevated of formal affairs.
***

Black is the colour of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula, often wear black.

Positive:

Sophistication, glamour, security, emotional safety, efficiency, substance.

Negative:

Oppression, coldness, menace, heaviness.

Black is all colours, totally absorbed.

The psychological implications of this are considerable. It creates protective barriers, as it absorbs all the energy coming towards you, and it enshrouds the personality. Positively, it communicates absolute clarity, with no fine nuances. It works particularly well with white. It communicates sophistication and uncompromising excellence. It creates a perception of weight and seriousness (it is a myth that black clothes are slimming).

Black is essentially an absence of light, since no wavelengths are reflected and it can, therefore be menacing; and many people are afraid of the dark....

So, if you've now decided that you hate all your black bazzill.... please send it on to me... and I'll.... Er.... dispose of it for you!!!