Choosing colors for designs can be difficult if a designer doesn't know how colors are perceived in a different cultures. Below is a list of colors and different meanings associated with them.
Red
Red is mostly known as a power color. In the United States, and other western countries, it symbolizes leadership, passion, excitement, danger, and anger. In China and India, the color is used in weddings and other ceremonies. In Russia the color is heavily associated with the Bolsheviks and Communism. Red in South Africa is the color of mourning.
Blue
The color blue in the United States symbolizes security, stability, loyalty, wisdom, trust, and courage. In the United States this color is seen as masculine, while in China and Belgium it is seen as feminine. In Mexico, Iran, and Korea blue is the color of mourning.
Green
In western countries green is associated with money, nature, jealousy, greed, and luck. In China and India it represents new beginnings and hope. It is also perceived as a negative color that represents death, corruption or is forbidden in South America, North Africa, and Indonesia.
Yellow
Yellow is seen as optimism, happiness, joy, and caution in western countries. Japan, Thailand, and China view yellow as an imperial color. Yellow is the mourning color of Burma (Myanmar) and Egypt.
Yellow is seen as optimism, happiness, joy, and caution in western countries. Japan, Thailand, and China view yellow as an imperial color. Yellow is the mourning color of Burma (Myanmar) and Egypt.
Pink
In western countries, the color is is associated with love, romance, and femininity. In Belgium, pink is a masculine color. In Korea pink is related to trust rather than femininity and romance.
In western countries, the color is is associated with love, romance, and femininity. In Belgium, pink is a masculine color. In Korea pink is related to trust rather than femininity and romance.
Orange
Orange is associated with cheerfulness, enthusiasm, fascination, and autumn in western countries. In eastern countries it represents happiness and spirituality. It is also seen as a religious color in Ireland.
Orange is associated with cheerfulness, enthusiasm, fascination, and autumn in western countries. In eastern countries it represents happiness and spirituality. It is also seen as a religious color in Ireland.
Black
Western countries associate black with power, mystery, elegance, and sophistication. In eastern countries, like India, Thailand, and countries in the Middle East, view the color as evil and bad luck.
Western countries associate black with power, mystery, elegance, and sophistication. In eastern countries, like India, Thailand, and countries in the Middle East, view the color as evil and bad luck.
Links:
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2012/06/color-and-cultural-design-considerations/
http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/cultural-color.html
http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/cultural-color.html
