Ever Wondered Why You Prefer Certain Colors? Here’s the Answer

Many colorful umbrellas in the sky

We’re surrounded by colors every day — when we step outside and take in the natural world, when we walk down a busy city street, and when we wake up and take a look at the decor in our homes. As you move through even the most familiar landscapes, you might notice that some colors seem to stand out.

That’s hardly a unique experience, but it might make you wonder: Why am I drawn to certain colors more than others? The answer is more complicated than you might think. Here’s a look at which colors captivate us — and why they’re able to do so.

What Makes People Prefer Certain Colors?

No one knows exactly why we seem to be captivated by some colors more than others. And notably, many color preferences transcend culture or national origin. For instance, blue is the most popular color in the world. There are a few different theories of why humans as a whole seem to be drawn to certain shades more than others. Let’s go through some of the most common ideas.

Evolutionary Influences

This is an explanation that makes a lot of sense when you think about it. For thousands of years, our ancestors evolved to prefer certain colors that drew them to beneficial things. For example, because the color blue is associated with fresh water and clear skies, generations of positive associations with blue may have resulted in today’s worldwide preference for the color.

When foraging for food, early humans learned that green usually indicated healthy plant life, and colors like red, orange, and yellow might signal fresh fruit. Those same ancestors might have been repelled by brown because it could be connected with dirty water, rotten food, or feces — and fittingly, brown is one of the least-liked colors today.

Illustration of human evolution

We Like Colors That Remind Us of Things We Love

Evolution likely plays a big role in humanity’s preference for certain colors, but what about favorite colors on an individual level? Often, you’re drawn to certain colors because you associate them — even subconsciously — with positive things. For example, if you have a cozy yellow bathrobe you love, you might be drawn to the color yellow because you associate it with the same warm, fuzzy feeling the bathrobe does. Or if your gym has charcoal gray walls and that’s where you go to center yourself, you might like the color enough that you incorporate it while repainting your home.

For many people, favorite colors shift with age. That makes sense with this theory — as you gain more life experiences (both positive and negative), you form so many new color associations that at least some shift in your color preferences is practically inevitable.

Certain Colors Might Resonate With Our Individual Personalities

Many different colors have fairly universal effects on us — and those effects may resonate with some personalities more than others. For instance, blue generally has a calming effect, so if you’re someone who craves peace and stability, you might find it more appealing than other colors. Red and orange, on the other hand, are fiery and energetic shades, so if you’re someone who seeks action, energy, and adventure, you might prefer these colors.

The Top 7 Most Captivating Colors

What color is your favorite? If you’re like many people, you’ll probably find your favorite color — or at least a variation of it — on the list below. Take a look at some of the world’s favorite colors and how they might have captured the imaginations of countless people across cultures.

1. Red

Beautiful red fall leaves by a misty pond

Red is a color that has long been connected to passion and energy, so it’s no surprise that plenty of people love it! Red’s associations are not unilaterally good, however. In the natural world, it is often a sign of danger — many poisonous animals, including insects and some poison dart frogs, use the color to warn away predators.

Color personality quiz animation

Red’s negative associations don’t seem to be enough to take away from its popularity, and if you take a look at the sunlit, fiery red leaves in the picture above, it’s easy to see why.

2. Blue

Sea turtle in striking crystal blue water

Blue is the world’s most popular color, possibly because of its universal association with water and the sky. It’s also a highly centering color. Blue is commonly associated with focus, calm, trust, and loyalty — all things that can give you a real sense of peace.

When you consider its worldwide popularity, it’s no wonder that blue frequently appears in literature, where it can symbolize anything from heaven to grief. This shade isn’t just captivating in the natural world — it has also been celebrated for centuries through various art forms.

3. Pink

Close-up of bright pink mimosa flowers

Pink is a color that appeals to many. But by the same token, it’s also a color that people seem to either love or hate. Some might see it as associated with childishness, but pink is also connected to hope, compassion, and acceptance. And despite the fact that pink is a warm-leaning color, there’s some evidence to suggest it may have a calming effect.

We might also be drawn to pink for a surprising reason: some evidence suggests it makes us crave sugar! Over time, that association seems to have reinforced itself. As you might have noticed, many bakeries (and particularly those specializing in sweet treats) offer cakes and cupcakes with pink frosting, use pink packaging, or both.

4. Green

Closeup of bright green day gecko

Much of the outside world is made up of various shades of green, so it’s not surprising that many people are drawn in by the color that reminds them of their natural roots. We spend much less time outdoors on average than we used to, but trends like “forest bathing” — taking time to unplug and connect with nature — have been shown to have significant mental and physical benefits. So it’s not a stretch to believe that in the absence of actual nature, we might be drawn to colors that remind us of the natural world.

Largely because of its connection to nature, green is a color that has many positive associations, including generosity, reinvention, and relaxation. With connections like this, it’s no wonder green continues to draw people in.

5. Orange

Close-up of bright orange tangerines in green tree

Orange is a color that carries a tremendous amount of emotion with it. Depending on who you are, that can be a good thing or a bad thing. Orange’s energy can uplift your mood or pump you up for a workout, but it can also make you feel overwhelmed or on edge. Many interior designers tend to use it in very small doses or avoid it entirely for that reason.

Like other warm colors, orange can make you feel energized and optimistic. It’s possible that we may have evolved to be drawn to it because it’s often the color of ripe fruit, sweet-smelling flowers, and other appealing things in the natural world.

6. Purple

A close-up photo of a deep purple flower with raindrops on petals

In many cases, colors that people tend to gravitate toward are also colors that have some evolutionary significance. And while there are a handful of purple fruits and vegetables in nature, purple isn’t a color that’s linked to our early survival as a species in any particularly memorable way.

So if nature isn’t the reason we’re drawn to purple, what is? Purple has long been connected with wealth and opulence for a surprising reason. The first purple clothing dye, known as Tyrian purple, was made from crushed sea snails. Because it took thousands of snails to dye even a single piece of clothing, purple clothes were only worn by the very wealthy.

7. Yellow

A bright yellow prothonotary warbler perches in tree

Yellow is easily one of the world’s cheeriest colors. And like many colors that are at least somewhat popular across cultures, yellow is one that likely has at least some evolutionary importance. The most obvious connection is with sunlight. Technically speaking, the light from the sun is white, but when the sun is low enough in the sky (as it is around sunrise and sunset), the rays of light have a yellowish tint. Many types of fruit, including lemons and bananas, are yellow when ripe, so this connection may have boosted yellow’s appeal as well.

However, not everyone is drawn to yellow. Somewhat paradoxically, staring too intently at the color yellow (or being surrounded by too much of it) can trigger nausea and dizziness. That’s why you never see yellow on the inside of an airplane!

Our Favorite Colors Teach Us a Lot About Ourselves

Asking “What’s your favorite color?” can be a fun way to get to know someone, but it’s so much more than that — it also offers a window into who you are as a person. Do you know how your favorite color came to be? If you take a look at your surroundings and the wider natural world around you, you might just find the answer.

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