Power is the ability to influence other people and affect their actions, thoughts, and decisions. This ability is represented by strong colors such as black, red, orange, and blue.
Black is often a color that represents power in fashion. Black tie events are events for powerful people, black suits are worn by serious people, and black high-heels are part of the power suit for women.
Red and orange represent power because they are strong and aggressive colors. Blue is a color of power because it comes off as authoritative, cool, calm, and collected. This is why many banks and law firms use blue in their iconography.
Black As A Color Of Power
Black is almost universally accepted as a formal color that is used in education, business, communication, and other activities that demand respect and convey authority.
In a corporate setting, black conveys formality, power, competence, and authority. Black is a favorite shade for power suits, and black-tie events mean that an affair is going to be conducted in a formal setting.
Black fonts also serve as the universal standard for books, research reports, corporate missives, and other official compositions.
Similarly, black cars with dark black tint depict both power and luxury, symbolizing that the person inside the limousine is a person of great importance.
Because of its dark and somber appearance, black has been associated with negative events and emotions such as death, evil, and sorrow.
In Greek mythology, black is the color of Hades, the god of the underworld.
Some cultures associate black with misfortune, such as black cats being perceived as bad luck, or black butterflies signifying the death of a loved one. Evil characters in folklore are also depicted in black clothes, such as witches and vampires.
Red As A Color Of Power
Red is a very eye-catching color. It commands attention and gives off a feeling of energy, vitality, confidence, power, and aggression. It is also the color of danger and is often used in warning signs and road signals.
Red is a dramatic color which also indicates feelings of intimacy, love, passion, lust, and sexuality.
In fashion, red can make a person look more attractive, appealing, sexy, and seductive. If used sparingly, red can also be effective in corporate attire, giving the wearer an aura of confidence and authority.
One reason why people pay more attention to the color red can be attributed to nature. It is a color that is intrinsic to many elements that are critical to human survival, such as blood, fire, and the sun.
Because of this association, people tend to associate red with things of importance, high status, and authority.
In China, red is a royal color that is worn by king and emperors. It represents the element of fire in Feng Shui, which stands for leadership and confidence.
Red also gives advantage in contact sports such as football. Studies have shown that teams wearing red are perceived to be more skilled and capable by their competitors. They also tend to win more frequently.
Red also appears to be aggressive and threatening. Thus, it can sometimes be used to intimidate others into submission due to fear of conflict.
This is because red has been proven to trigger the amygdala, that section of the brain that controls emotions, motivation, and emotional behavior.
Orange As A Color Of Power
A derivative of red and yellow, orange also carries with it certain characteristics of both colors. It has the aggressive and stimulating effect of red, and the happy and vibrant feel of yellow.
Coming off two warm colors, orange comes off as hot, which can sometimes be overwhelming and overpowering, especially if used too much.
Orange is an ideal color for food related businesses as it is known to trigger hunger and increase appetite.
Creativity is also stimulated after being exposed to orange for a period of time. It is an engaging and attractive color, which can sometimes influence people to take action, such as purchasing certain types of products.
This color also promotes overall well-being and helps promote emotional balance, as well as harmony of mind and body.
Gemtones of this color, such as Fire Agate, Citrine, and Tourmaline are believed to increase self-confidence and self-esteem. They lend a sense of power and authority to the wearer.
Use of orange has to be well-balanced to avoid its negative effects. Overuse of this color can be perceived as arrogance and egotism. On the other hand, having not enough can make one appear to be timid, insecure, or suspicious.
Blue As A Color Of Power
Blue is usually seen as a peaceful, tranquil color because of its association with calm skies and seas. But darker shades of blue tend to have a stronger impact on others and are perceived as powerful and authoritative.
Darker blues symbolize knowledge, wisdom, expertise, and credibility.
According to studies about the impact of color on human behavior which involved more than 600 respondents, blue was able to improve communication and boost creativity. It represents precision, intellectual discussions and higher consciousness.
In the corporate setting, blue is seen as a dependable color. It is steadfast, knowledgeable, and authoritative, making it a favorite shade for businesses that require a deeper level of trust from their customers, such as banks and financial institutions.
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FAQ: What is Power?
Power is a concept that can only be observed in relation to other people. One person by himself cannot have any power. It is only through one’s interactions with others that power can be displayed.
There are several ways by which power is executed in social interactions:
- Legitimate power is the kind that one receives because of his official position in the group or organization. It is power that is enabled by the organization and not innate in the person himself.
- Coercive Power is one that is wielded through fear or threat, and usually does not long before it faces opposition by way of protests or revolution.
Power can also come by way of competence. When a person is the acknowledged expert in a certain field, he automatically gains power over others in the same field. This power remains as long as he stays at the top of the game.
There are also the kinds of power that are temporary, such as power that one gains by being surrounded by people in authority, by offering rewards and compensation to others, and by controlling information.
The best kind of power is that which is gained naturally because of a person’s character and values, gaining him the respect and admiration of people he interacts with.
Values such as integrity, honesty, empathy are able to win over people’s hearts and make them follow a person willingly with no conditions or expectations of getting something in return.
These different types of power are represented by different colors and their uses. Each color stands for certain types of power at varying degrees and is exhibited in diverse circumstances, as discussed above.
Conclusion
Power is a value that can only be observed in relation to other people. No person can be powerful by himself, regardless of the type of power he wields. Some kinds of power come naturally because of a person’s innate character and personality, while other types are achieved through external means.
The strongest color to represent power is black. This is because black represents all colors and is in itself a combination of all colors in the spectrum. Black absorbs light, making it appear imposing, powerful, and even intimidating. Red, orange, and blue are other colors that can represent power, but with different levels of influence and in varying circumstances. Before using any of these colors, check the situation and type of power that should be represented to ensure that the appropriate color is being used.
I’m Chris and I run this website – a resource about symbolism, metaphors, idioms, and a whole lot more! Thanks for dropping by.