The color pink, scientists say, does not exist. Considering the electromagnetic spectrum, there is no point where the color pink can be located: There is no light of this color.
However, the perception of the color pinkthat It occurs when the brain perceives red and violet lights at the same timeis very, very real, and in fact this “illusion” is in practice one of the colors with the most symbolic meaning on the color palette.
In this article we review the meanings of the color pink from multiple perspectives, from color psychology to the historical evolution, to finish with some tips on how to use it in your home decoration.
Pink color: meaning in psychology
Pink evokes feelings of love, tenderness and affection. Psychologically, it conveys a sensation of emotional connection, especially when it comes to pale or pastel pink, which can in turn generate sensations of calm and serenity. For this reason, it is used in different environments to promote relaxation and harmony.
In the most intense and vibrant tones It is associated with joy, youth and optimism. Its presence can induce positive and happy moods. Hence the relationship between pink and optimism.
The expression «see life in pink» that immortalized the song of Edith Piaf (versioned in Spanish by Los Romeos) is commonly used to describe a state of mind or a optimistic, positive and happy attitude towards life.
When someone says that they see life in a rosy light, it means that they perceive things in an optimistic way, even in difficult or challenging situations.
Therefore, When someone tells us that their favorite color is pink, it is common to interpret that that person focuses on the positive, finding beauty in the little things, and that He is a tender and kind person who looks for the good in everyday situations.
However, it is important to keep in mind that «seeing life in rosy colors» cannot mean ignoring life’s challenges or difficultiesbut rather adopt a positive and hopeful perspective, even in the face of obstacles. It should be a way to face adversity with a constructive attitude and find reasons for gratitude and happiness.
This has often been simplified, and The preference for pink can also be associated with a frivolous or immature character.
Pink color: spiritual meaning
This has a direct relationship with the cultural interpretations of the color pink.
In the eastern culturespink is associated with good luck, youth and prosperitypartly because it is the color of peach blossoms and some varieties of cherry trees.
In certain spiritual currentspink is associated with the opening of the heartthe connection with the spiritual and the elevation of the spirit. It can represent the opening towards divinity from humility and innocence: it is associated with purity and growth potential.
in western culture, pink is related traditionally with femininity and romanticism. It is used on occasions such as weddings or Valentine’s Day to express love and sweetness in a more tender and less passionate way than with the color red.
There is also a certain association between paler pink and intimacy due to skin color of Caucasian people. This connection is transferred to certain materials: thus, Rose quartz is considered “the stone of love”and in addition to attributing protective properties against negative energies, it is frequently used as a talisman to attract romanticism.
Pink or Blue? The color pink was not always the «feminine color»
Based on this association with romance, pink is considered the color of the feminine, but this was not always the case. Assigning specific colors to genders, like blue for boys and pink for girls, has undergone a historical evolution remarkable.
In the 19th centuryIn Western culture, the trend was opposite to the current one. He pinkconsidered a stronger tone because it is associated with the red of blood and soldiers’ jacketswas more commonly used with boys, while blue, considered more delicate, was assigned to girls.
This conception began to change at the beginning of the 20th century, and the assignment of colors was gradually reversed, consolidating in the following decades.
Pink and feminism
However, Nowadays pink is deeply linked to the femininewhich has brought with it a certain “devaluation” of this color because it is considered, from the male gaze, “weak” or “cheesy.” For this reason Sometimes it is used from feminist positions to vindicate the feminine essence and the fight for gender equality.
Because of its association with “women’s issues,” Pink also symbolizes the fight against breast cancer.. Recently it has also begun to be used as a metaphor for the reunion with one’s own identity after motherhood, as it has been spread that Flamingos lose their characteristic pink color during the first years of their babies’ lives.by prioritizing the feeding of their chicks over their own and not ingesting enough carotenes.
Due to its distance from the masculine, it has been a color associated with homosexualitybeing used to indicate those who were locked up in concentration camps for that reason. Once again, the fight for the civil rights of LGTBIQA+ people has appropriated this color, and in fact it is called “pinkwashing” to the practice carried out by some brands of use activism around these issues to sell more (like greenwashing when they do the same with ecological issues).
Pink roses and other colors: what each one means
In nature, pink is perceived in a variety of flowerssuch as roses, cherry blossoms and peonies, which makes it associated with beauty, delicacy and renewal.
«Pink» It is the name of the color and also that of one of the most popular flowers; in English it is used “pink” to call the carnations and the pink tone, although they are also called “carnation” because it is the color of flesh.
However, Giving roses can be the subject of many interpretationsbecause there are roses of all colors, and each one means something different:
- red rose: Red roses are a classic symbol of love and passion. They are the ideal gift to express romantic love towards a special person.
- white rose: White roses are often associated with purity, innocence and sincerity. They are a symbol of pure love, platonic affection and new beginnings, often used at weddings and to express respect and admiration.
- yellow rose: Yellow roses symbolize friendship, joy and happiness. They are ideal to celebrate a long-lasting friendship or to express joy and gratitude. However, like the rest of yellow flowers, they can be interpreted as a symbol of jealousy and it is essential to clarify this ambiguity.
- pink rose: Pink roses are associated with the gratitude, affection, and appreciation. They are used to express gratitude towards friends, family or close people.
- orange rose: Orange roses represent enthusiasm, energy and fascination. They are ideal for expressing admiration and attraction towards someone
- Lavender or lilac pink: Lavender or lilac roses are often associated with the magiccharm and love at first sight. They are used to express admiration and love at first sight
The meaning of the color pink in home and clothing
Taking into account all this symbolic loadit is no surprise that pink has played a important role in decoration and fashion.
In the decoration of home, pink is used to add a touch of softness and elegance. It is used in accessories, furniture and decorative details for create cozy and romantic spaces.
Also in children’s spacesnot only because it is understood as “the color of girls”, but also for his tenderness and warmth.
In contemporary fashion, pink is a versatile color that can transmit from a sweet style and feminine, up to one modern and bold. All kinds of expressions of femininity, From the most seasoned to the most traditional, they have found in pink a way to reclaim their way of being in the world. It is found in clothing, accessories and makeup to express different personalities and styles.
More and more frequently, pink is used, not so much to reaffirm gender stereotypes, but to challenge themallowing for a broader expression of individuality and diversity.
All this vindicative wealth adds to your ability to evoke emotions of love, tenderness and happiness making pink a crucial element in the human color palette.
Whether or not it exists as a color itself, pink continues to be a versatile and very powerful tone symbolically, which enriches our visual world and emotional, adding beauty, warmth and meaning to our lives and environments.