Theories Cognitive Psychology The Color Psychology of Black By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial process Kendra Cherry Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on January 27, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, the author of the bestselling book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," and the host of the Mentally Strong People podcast. Learn about our Review Board Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on October 13, 2020 Print Black isn't a primary, secondary, or tertiary color. In fact, black isn't on the color wheel because it isn't considered a color. It's all colors. Or rather, the absorption of all colors. Black absorbs all light in the color spectrum. According to color psychology, color-related emotion is highly dependent on your personal preference and past experiences with that particular color. The color black is no different. Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell The Psychological Effect of Black Individual reactions to the color black can vary widely. According to German scientist Hermann von Helmholz, "Black is real sensation, even if it is produced by the entire absence of light. The sensation of black is distinctly different from the lack of all sensation." Positive Associations For some, black evokes positive associations with this color, including attractiveness and elegance. The color oozes sophistication. That’s why so many people choose to don black clothing when attending a fancy event. It’s also why high-end brands like Tiffany & Co. and Chanel utilize black in their logos. When it comes to high society, the color black has long been associated with power. From priests to judges, tuxedos to credit cards. And let’s not forget about Steve Jobs. Negative Associations However, many use the color black to symbolize all things negative. Throughout history, this somber color has been tied to death and all things evil and bad. It evokes strong feelings of anger, aggression, fear, and sadness. The connection between black and negativity is probably most clearly seen in our language. Just consider these commonly used expressions: Black Monday. Black Plague. Black magic. Blackball. Blackhole. Black-hearted. Black mood. Black sheep. Blackmail. Black market. Blackout. The list could go on. And nothing says "bad guy" quite like the color black. Though black is worn (and often preferred) by people from all walks of society, it's often seen as the stereotypical color for criminals and villains. Why do you think the color of choice for villains (think Dracula and Darth Vader) and other shady movie and TV show characters is almost always black? Black is the perfect example of how color meaning can differ from one culture to another. In many western traditions, black is associated with death and mourning, whereas in China the color of death is white. Using the Color Black in Feng Shui In feng shui, a way of harmonizing your home, office, and other environments, each color represents a feng shui element. Black is associated with the water element and evokes power, mystery, and calm. When it's used sparingly, black has a grounding effect on your environment. Here are a few tips for using black in feng shui: Consider a black door for doors that face north, east, or southeast.Choose black for your kids' room to bring calm and creativity.If you have a home office in the north part of your house, paint one wall black.Paint the floor black in a room in the north part of your space.Try black and white in your laundry room or kitchen.Try placing black accessories like knick-knacks, frames, or vases around your home. A Word From Verywell People's preference for certain colors is based on a whole host of factors, including environment, personality, experience, and upbringing. Pay attention to how the color black makes you feel and consider how some of these factors may shape how you feel and respond to this color. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Roberts SC, Owen RC, Havlicek J. 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