The Meaning of Color - Art as Therapy

Feeling blue. Seeing red. A silver lining. All of these phrases came about because of the meanings that can be attributed to colors. Maybe youve always wondered why certain colors appeal to you or often find their way into your artwork. As someone that creates mandalas for both art as well as therapy, I have found that taking the time to analyze my color choices has provided me with great insight on where I stand both mentally and spiritually.

Below is a quick reference guide you can use to gather more awareness from your own artwork or mandala designs. Each color discussed has a list of meanings that you can pull from when trying to interpret your work along with a list of uses that may help you choose colors for healing or as a form art therapy. While this list is far from exhaustive, it does tap into the core properties. If you want a more thorough explanation of color, I suggest you take a look at The Color Answer Book by Leatrice Eiesman.

RED Meanings:

energy, passion, power, desire, intensity, anger

Uses: combat depression, increase appetite, attract attention, increase energy, achieve goals In terms of energy, a person with a red aura (like most teenagers) are often found to be impulsive, stimulating, freedom seeking individuals. Red is used in fast food restaurants to make patrons eat quickly and to increase their appetites.

ORANGE Meanings:

creativity, confidence, increased intuition, pleasure, adventure

Uses: increase creativity and inner dialogue, boost metabolism, elevate mood As another warm color, orange also has some intensity and energy in its meaning. Color therapistsa use orange to open up a persons mind, allowing creative ideas to flow freely.

YELLOW Meanings:

cheerful, bright, optimism, warm, open, innovative

Uses: increase mental clarity, release of problems, promote enjoyment

Not surprisingly, individuals with yellow auras are known for their sunny dispositions. Yellow crystals are often used sharpen memory and increase decision making skills.

GREEN Meanings:

harmony, balance, growth, tradition, focus, jealousy

Uses: calm nerves, increase compassion, restore mental and emotional balance Green falls basically in the middle of the color spectrum making balance its chief interpretation. Feng shui experts taut the healing and restorative powers of the color green, often using different shades to maximize its healing effects.

BLUE Meanings:

truth, depth, loyalty, serenity, empathy

Uses: soothe, cleanse, induce calm and peaceful feelings Artists and poets (and other sensitive individuals) are drawn to this color. Interior designers use blue in designing bedrooms because of its peaceful qualities. Dark blue is often used in uniforms because of the qualities of truth and respect the color induces.

PURPLE Meanings:

spirituality, royalty, originality, imagination, mystery

Uses: meditation, inspiration, psychic healing, connection with higher power Purple is associated with the crown chakra; the one that links us to the infinite consciousness, The Universe, and/or God. Not surprisingly, purple has a long history of use in a variety of religious ceremonies from the Christianity to Hinduism.

WHITE Meanings:

reverence, purity, innocence, simplicity, cleanliness

Uses: purify the body and mind The significance of white in a dream is believed to be its representation of a hope fulfilled or the attainment of spiritual enlightenment. White is a yin or healing color used in Estern cultures to induce calm.

BLACK Meanings:

elegance, power, strength, achievement

Uses: internal strength, power in career, self control

In the fashion industry, black equates to wealth and sophistication i.e. tuxedos, limousines, the little black dress, etc. The color is also used to portray authority, i.e. judges robes, priests attire, and a black belt in martial arts, but too much black can be oppressive.

Michelle Normand is a graphic designer and author of 30-Minute Mandalas coloring book. She also works as a Mind-Body Fitness Specialist, teaching workshops on the subject in her new home in Dublin, Ohio. Michelle's second book, 30-Minute Celtic Mandalas will be out later this winter. For more information about Michelle and the healing power of coloring therapy visit her website at http://www.30minutemandalas.com

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Should You Try Acupuncture For Arthritis Relief?

Acupuncture is an ancient form of healing that was used and still used in many ancient Chinese treatments for various diseases. Will it work for the arthritis pain that you are feeling? Many people have found that arthritis can be improved with the help of this technique. Although there are many that dont believe in it, the benefit that can come from it, is supposed to be well worth the adventure!

If you are considering acupuncture for the treatment of the arthritis pain that you have, you do need to realize that arthritis medications and other treatments that your doctor are giving you shouldnt be stopped for it. You should always rely on the help that your doctor can give you as these are the most commonly beneficial to your health and well being. They are also scientifically proven which acupuncture is not.

How To Explore Acupuncture

If you decide that acupuncture does have something that can help you in it, take the time to find the right person for the job. It is incredibly important for you to find someone to help you that is educated, experienced and works in a clean environment as well. You should not be their first patient and you should be able to ask them any question and get an answer to it. When it comes to acupuncture, you dont want to work with someone that is unsure of which locations are the appropriate locations to puncture for your arthritis pain.

Youll find that there are experiences acupuncturists throughout many areas of the United States, especially in large cities. When you call on one, ask them questions about your condition. What will acupuncture do for you? How will it work? What happens during a session? When will you begin to see relief from your arthritis pain? All of these questions, along with your own, should be answered before you actually have the procedure done. This way, you know what to expect and you know what to do to benefit.

A skilled acupuncturist will use acupuncture points that are situated around your body to stimulate and improve the movement of Qi in your body. This is the life force, or the element in your body that maintains health and life. When you are ill, the idea is that the Qi is now somehow off balance and simply not effective in keeping you healthy. But, this can be improved with the help of acupuncture. By inserting a needle that is very thin into the right spots on your body, they can help to improve the flow of Qi which will then improve your health condition.

As with any type of alternative treatment, you should work with your doctor to determine if you should stop medications with this treatment. Most doctors dont have a working knowledge of alterative treatments because most of them, including acupuncture are unproven. But, with the help of a skilled professional in the field, your arthritic pain can be significantly lessened with acupuncture.

For more observations about rheumatoid arthritis from Greg, click the link.

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