It felt like I was entering heaven when I arrived at Beijing’s spectacular, new Terminal 3. Thousands of tiny lights in the building’s soaring roof illuminated red and gold columns.  These colors were chosen by a Feng Shui master to match the traditional colors and symbolism found in Chinese palaces.

As a Design Psychologist, I know that colors have meaning and evoke emotions. Thus I began my ten-day trip to China, wondering what colors were meaningful for the Chinese and what emotions they would evoke in me.

In the Forbidden City the next day our guide explained, “The red of the palace walls stands for royalty. Gold symbolizes prosperity. Only royals can paint their buildings this red and gold, not the common people.”

“ ’Good thing I’m just a serf!” I thought since I still was searching for the perfect gold to paint my den. Perhaps gold evokes a universal association with prosperity - - gold, the precious metal.   Shades of sunshine-like gold warmed me.

It was hard to get a fix on just one hue or meaning. Sometimes through the city’s grey mist (or smog?) bright gold and red seemed energizing. In sunshine, cinnabar red looked more subtle - - pinkish. The Summer Palace evoked a sensual gold and red Emperor’s court.   At the Great Wall, red in tourists’ Obama t-shirt reminded me it was Election Day . . . back in America.

SOME TIPS:

•    Select colors your ancestors used if they help trigger positive past associations.

•    Choose colors not only because they look good, but because they have some personal meaning for you.

•    Before painting, notice how your color looks in different light to be sure it feels just right, thereby creating the perfect Design Psychology for your space!

 
© Toby Israel, 2009