Black is an achromatic colour, hue-less and impenetrable. It’s the absorption and combination of all colours. Black is the colour of rest, dormancy but also power and dominance. It is often associated with mystery, secrecy, negativity, depression and sadness. In nature, Black evokes danger: think Black holes, the Black mamba, the Black bear or the Black widow spider.

Black coal was the first pigment used by Palaeolithic people for drawing. In Ancient Egypt, Black was linked to the cycle of rebirth as the soil fertilised by the Nile assumed that colour. Also Anubis, the jackal-god who watched over the dead, was Black to fend off any negativity towards the dead.

It was the colour of the eagle on the emblem of Holy Roman Empire and also of the legendary Black knights. In Medieval times, Black meant secrecy and power. Black ink was invented in medieval China as a better way to read against the white paper.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, Black clothing became a status symbol for wealthy people and nobles. And in the 20th century it symbolised individuality, intellectuality and social rebellion. It has also come to represents sex appeal, elegance and non-conformism. Coco Chanel’s little Black dress meant simplicity and style for the modern woman. That’s because Black was mainly associated with mourning attire and not associated with elegant or everyday wear.

Black pigment was important for painters such as Vincent Van Gogh, Kazimir Malevich and Henry Matisse.

In Islam, Black is associated with the standard carried by the soldiers of the prophet Mohammad and the followers of the Islamic faith.

In Hinduism, the goddess Kali – “the black one”, destroyer of anger and passion, is depicted with Black or dark-blue skin.

In the Catholic faith, Black is the colour of Satan, the prince of darkness and it’s also the colour adopted by some monastic orders. Black in Western society is associated with mourning and bereavement, witchcraft and bad luck.

Black crystals

Black crystals are used in meditation, to face hidden or dormant thoughts and feelings. They are very useful for grounding, releasing negativity and excessive energy. Black crystals are not recommended if you are a very calm person or lack motivation.

Black Onyx It’s used for strength, self-confidence, healing past and old traumas, grief and sorrow. crystal system : trigonal

Black Tourmaline It’s indicated for protection from psychic attacks and negativity in general, balancing yin and yang, removing stress and tension. crystal system: trigonal

Nuummite It helps with protection against negativity, clear blockages, safeguard and when you need to connect to your Higher Self. crystal system: orthorhombic.

Shungite It aids with protecting against electromagnetic frequencies, to boost your immune system and rebalance your emotions. crystal system: amorphous with fullerenes

Black Kyanite It’s used to gain yin and yang balance, to combat anger or stress, stimulate intuition and align the chakras. crystal system: triclinic

‘Working in white makes people look into it. White is ethereal. There’s a purity to it, it makes things look elevated in a way. There’s a whole palette of white…’— Jonathan Milne, artist.

White is the colour of purity, cleanliness and innocence. It suggests clarity and balance. Associated with simplicity, graces and perfection, White promotes self-reflection, openness and support.

On the negative side White is seen as bland, boring, cold, clinical and distant.

It’s the colour of the Moon and some dwarf stars.

On the negative side White is seen as bland, boring, cold, clinical and distant.

White calcite or chalk as pigment has been used by humans since the Palaeolithic period.

In Ancient Egypt, White linen was associated with the goddess Isis, her priests and priestesses. White linen was also used for mummies. White represented death and corresponded to the barren desert.

For some civilisations, such as the Ancient Greeks, White was associated with mother’s milk.

In nature, White is the colour of snow, clouds, glaciers and sunlight. The White dove symbolises peace. White is also used by some animals as a form of camouflage, especially in winter, when their coats change to white: the Artic fox or the Snowshoe hare, for example.

White in Christianity is also a symbol of sacrifice and virtue. Popes have been wearing White since 1566, when a Dominican monk started the practice.

For Islam, White is the colour of the pilgrims’ clothing at Mecca.

In Judaism, during Yom Kippur – the ritual of atonement – the rabbi and the congregation wear White to restore the bond with God.

In the Japanese Shinto religion, brides wear white kimonos. White kimonos are also placed in the deceased’s coffin as symbols of death. The White gravelled areas in the niwa (gardens), are a representation of water, rivers or even waterfalls.

White is the colour of mourning in Korea, but in China and other Asian countries it also means reincarnation.

In India, White is the colour of divinity, serenity and purity.
White robes are destined only for the lama of the monastery in Tibetan Buddhism.

In Alchemy, Albedo, whiteness, is the stage where light and clarity are brought to the First Matter.

In Feng Shui, White represents innocence, purity, the element Metal, the Northeast and autumn. It is also associated with the masculine yang.

Gabriel, the Archangel of revelation is associated with this colour.

White is linked to the Crown and the higher chakras.

White Crystals

White crystals represent pure light and are pure energisers and cleansers. They can restore calm and order quickly.
They are not suggested if you need vitality, stimuli and energy.

Snow Quartz
It’s used to work on emotions, when feeling overwhelmed, when in need of inner cleansing and self-reflection.
crystal system: Hexagonal

Apophyllite
It helps to reduce stress, worries or anxiety, for self-introspection, to correct imbalances and remove blockages.
Crystal system: Tetragonal

Magnesite
It’s used to reduce both physical and mental stress, for self-care, to bring a positive attitude, self-love and respect.
crystal system: Hexagonal

Selenite
It aids clearing negative behaviours, for self-reflection and understanding, to stabilise emotions and gain perspective.
crystal system: Monoclinic

Stilbite
It’s helpful when opening to higher vibration, improving creativity, finding new life direction, when you need deeper inner cleansing.
crystal system: Monoclinic

“This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder when the affectations glow and valour is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest, and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn.” – Bernard DeVoto

Violet is the colour of wisdom, creativity, sensitivity and spirituality. It inspires imagination, individuality and extravagance.

Traces of Violet pigment were found in prehistoric caves, making it, together with black, one of the oldest colours used by humans.

In the Byzantine Empire, Violet was the colour of emperors and priests, because the famous Tyrian purple derived from the murex sea snail was expensive to produce. Similarly, Polynesians, Aztecs and Mayans used marine creatures to extract the colour Violet for their royal and religious vestments.

In Medieval and Renaissance times, Violet was reserved for European university professors and portraits of the Virgin Mary and the Angels.

For the Catholic Church, Violet symbolises humility and is worn daily by bishops, archbishops and cardinals.

In Japan, Violet wasn’t introduced until the Heian period 794-1185 A.D., when it was extracted from plants.

Violet is the colour of the Ascended Master St. Germain and his purifying flame.

In Feng Shui violet-purple is associated with the element Fire, spirituality and the directions North-East and South-West.

Purple and Violet are both associated to Zadkiel, the Archangel of mercy.

Violet – and similar colours – Crystals

Violet crystals are used in meditation, to connect to higher realms and to your Higher-Self.

Calm, poise and serenity are the main qualities of these crystals.

Violet, purple and indigo crystals are not recommended if you are a person who overthinks, are very calm or not ready to see your spiritual side.

Amethyst
It’s used to promote a deeper connection with spirituality, to regain calm, against insomnia, to support when in an emotional state.
crystal system: Trigonal

Purpurite
It helps to break an unwanted habit, to lift your spiritual vibration, gain guidance, mental clarity and physical energy.
crystal system: Orthorhombic

Charoite
It is useful for motivation, insights, self-love, self-appreciation; to calm down and stop worrying.
crystal system: Monoclinic

Lepidolite
It is recommended to break addictions, as an emotional pickup, to stop nightmares, for concentration, focus and independence.
crystal system: Monoclinic

Sugilite
It’s helpful for self-forgiveness, mental rest, unconditional love, positive thoughts, self-healing and to de-stress
crystal system: Hexagonal

‘Brown is comfort in its softest form’ — Fida Islaih, A to Z poetry

Brown is the colour of nature, autumn, earth, wood, wildlife, human hair and eye colour. It evokes reliability, stability, honesty and comfort. It represents wisdom, protection, honesty and support.

That said, Brown suffers from being the least favourite colour because of its association with dullness and predictability.

Brown was worn by the poor in Ancient Rome. In the Middle Ages, it represented humility, as worn by the Franciscan monks.
A statute of 1363 required destitute people in England to wear russet, a shade of greyish-brown.

It is interesting to note that in some languages, the word for Brown derives from the colour of food or beverages: in Turkey and Greece, kahve rengi and καφέ (kafe’) both derive from coffee; In Malay, coklat derives from chocolate and in Japan 茶色 (chairo) derives from the colour of tea.

Keeping us grounded, stable and secure, Brown maintains focus and anchors us to reality. It might be said that this colour possibly doesn’t stimulate imagination or daydreaming. Brown doesn’t inspire spontaneity but suggests respect for rules and loyalty. It also leans towards practicality and helps us merge into the background. That’s possibly why some animals have brown colouration.

In Feng Shui, Brown is associated with the South-West, grounding, boundaries, practicality and independence.

The Archangel Cassiel, the angel of Temperance, is associated to the colour Brown.

Brown Crystals

Brown crystals are grounding, protecting and purifying. They keep us centred and stable.
They are not suitable when energy, vitality or motion are needed.

Smoky Quartz
It’s used for protection, grounding, focus, chakra and aura cleansing and stress reduction.
crystal system: Trigonal

Bronzite
To fight exhaustion and stress, for harmony, grounding, composure and understanding.
crystal system: Orthorhombic

Aragonite
It helps with flexibility, grounding, stress and anger relief, tolerance and stability both emotional and mental.
crystal system: Orthorhombic

Chiastolite
For self-analysis, protection, dispelling fear and negative thoughts, promoting harmony and inner peace.
crystal system: Orthorhombic

Staurolite
To reduce stress, eliminate addictions, for grounding, self-analysis and strength.
crystal system: Monoclinic

“Orange is the colour of the sun. It is vital and a good colour generally, indicating thoughtfulness and consideration of others.” -Edgar Cayce.

Orange is the colour of many fruits and vegetables, think oranges, carrots, pumpkins and sweet potatoes. It especially reminds us of the beautiful hues of the setting sun and the tonalities of autumn.

It is the colour of emotions, youth, optimism and enthusiasm. It is capable of uplifting and
encouraging action and sociability. It is often seen as symbol of freedom, creativity, spontaneity and warmth.
On the downside, Orange can also mean superficiality, impatience, exhibitionism and domination. If you are on a diet, beware of Orange as it stimulates appetite!

For Western society Orange is the colour most associated with amusement, the unconventional, extroversion, warmth, fire, energy and activity.

Because of its high visibility, Orange can serve as a warning because it stands out in dim light and water. Together with red and yellow, Orange has been used to indicate danger or caution.

The colour came to be associated with Protestantism, due to the participation by the House of Orange, one of the most influential royal houses of Europe, on the Protestant side in the French Wars of Religion.

Because it symbolises activity, Orange is often used as the colour of political and social movements.

In Feng shui, Orange represents friendship, wisdom, concentration and it’s the colour of creativity. It attracts contentment, playfulness and romanticism. It is used in locations where a lot of social activity takes place, such as schools or companies, living rooms or children’s bedrooms.

The Archangel Uriel, the angel of fire and wisdom is associated with the colour Orange.

Orange is associated with Svadhishthana, the Sacral chakra.

Orange Crystals

Orange crystals encourage mental, emotional and physical healing. They help fight stress, stimulate the body, encourage creativity and cheerfulness.
They are not recommended if you are easily upset or struggle to find calm within.

Carnelian
It’s used for courage, vitality, protection, to calm anger and jealousy, to help with big decisions.
crystal system: Trigonal

Sunstone
It promotes self-empowerment. It’s ideal to boost morale and optimism and to see the positive side of things.
crystal system: Triclinic

Zincite
It stimulates creativity, vitality and positivity. This crystal can also re-energise and strenghten the body.
crystal system: Hexagonal

Wulfenite
Use it to see the positive in life, for inspiration, creativity, perseverance, inner-strength and letting go of fear.
crystal system: Tetragonal

Sphalerite
It’s used to shift perspective, for protection, strength, a return to reality, focus and clarity.
crystal system: Cubic

‘Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing bird will come.’ – Lois Lowry

Green is the colour of Nature and Spring. It’s associated with healing, relaxation, well-being, hope and renewal.
It has strong connection with life, the life-cycle and motherhood.

For the ancient Egyptians, Green meant rebirth and regeneration because it was associated with the annual Nile floods. It was also used in their makeup as protection for both the living and the dead. Osiris, the sun-god, was often portrayed with a Green face as a metaphor for growth and rebirth. The scarab, symbol of rebirth was also painted Green.

In ancient Greek, old Chinese, Thai, old Japanese, and Vietnamese the words for Green and blue are the same, as Green was considered a shade of blue.

In ancient Rome, Green was the colour of Venus, goddess of love and garden fertility.

Green is the traditional colour of Islam because the prophet Mohammad used to wear Green and in the Qur’an it is said that those fortunate to live in paradise wear Green silk robes. It represents wisdom, knowledge, moderation and health.

In medieval and renaissance times, Green was the colour worn by wealthy merchants and bankers.

In both Irish and English folklore, Green is associated with faeries, leprechauns and spirits of Nature. The Green man, symbol of rebirth and growth, is a legendary being whose face is covered by leaves. He often appears peeking out of thick Green foliage and can be seen in carvings across Europe, Lebanon and Iraq. Similar representations can also be found in India, Borneo and Nepal.

For Hildegard von Bingen, the German saint and philosopher, Viriditas was the Divine Healing Power of Green, which brought together human and natural wellbeing.

Modern Chinese dragons are Green and their benevolent powers symbolise strength, good-luck and control over disruptive water elements like hurricanes, floods or storms.

Green has also been associated with monsters, dragons or evil in general. The most common association is jealousy, depicted as a Green eyed-monster in Shakespeare’s Othello.

In various cultures, Green is associated with hazard, chance, jealousy, envy and rage.
This colour has also negative associations like toxicity, poison and being unwell.

Green is considered bad luck: in the theatre because it made the actors less noticeable against the limelight; and in motor racing because of a historic bad accident involving a Green car.

In Feng Shui, bright Green is associated with East, ambition, confidence, self-esteem and enthusiasm

Green is the colour of Raphael, the Archangel of healing.

Green is the colour of Anahata, the Heart Chakra.

Green Crystals

Green crystals have a balancing and harmonising power. They offer optimism and inner peace and have a cleansing effect both physically and mentally. They help with imagination, vitality and stimulation.
They are not recommended where deeper calm or prolonged energy are needed.

Emerald
It’s used for inspiration, clarity, healing negativity, inner strength and balance.
crystal system: Hexagonal

Malachite
It assures protection and link to Earth, breaking unwanted habits, releasing traumas and being open to others. (Use carefully as it is poisonous!)
crystal system: Monoclinic

Jade
It promotes inner and outer harmony, insights, releasing negative thoughts and restores calm.
crystal system: Monoclinic

Olivine
It is indicated to detox body and mind, for self-growth, mental clarity and confidence.
crystal system: Orthorhombic

Moldavite
It’s recommended to balance your chakras, heal mental/psychological scars and help see the spiritual side.
crystal system: Amorphous