Color Symbolism In Media
Colors are often something that humans notice, whether it be in the color of flowers in spring, to the meals that we eat daily. Colors for some mean little to nothing, while for others they mean everything. Sometimes as an aesthetic, or a way to make your outfits have that little pop. But in art forms and media, they have a whole different feel. Color symbolism is a way to give more depth to the world that the characters are in, as well as set the tone/mood for a scene or outlook.
First off, there’s simple color palettes that have to do with the scenes. Lighting is a big part of this, and can change the entire mood of the scene and impact the viewers. Hues of red and black and represent rage or bloodshed, while shades of blue and gray can represent grief and anguish. One of my favorite examples of this is in the movie/jukebox musical “Moulin Rouge!” in which one scene flickers back and forth between red and blue, to show how the characters feel during those moments. It adds more depth than one may think, especially when we associate certain colors with certain feelings, motifs, or ideals.
One of my favorite usage of colors in films in particular is in a few of Jordan Peele’s films. Such as “Get Out”, “Nope”, and “Us”. His usage of colors in character clothing is one of my favorite instances. Colors like red can be used to flaunt arrogance, or flat out represent rage or anger. Yellow could be joy or happiness. Or in the case of “Get Out”, red and blue representing their respective political parties. Peele’s addition of these colors onto his characters give a lot more depth into his films, which can make them fun to analyze in many different ways.
Color usage is something that can be incorporated in books as well, in which I have no examples of my own to provide. It simply is something that can add more depth into a story, as well as a world building. Characters being associated with certain colors can go beyond a simple aesthetic choice, and can lead to a deeper understanding of the world around them and that they’re in. In my opinion, it’s one of the best things to add to a story to give more depth, and the audience can have fun analyzing more meanings behind the message, as well as what the characters can be to them.
