NATIONAL COLOR DAY
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NATIONAL COLOR DAY
On October 22, we celebrate the vibrant and powerful role color plays in our lives on National Color Day! This fun National Day is a time to appreciate how color affects our moods, communicates ideas, and adds breathtaking beauty to our world.
#NationalColorDay
Color is a silent language understood by all. Long before we had names for them, colors served a purpose, sending signals that are still deeply ingrained in us. A street light turns from green to yellow to red, directing the flow of traffic without a single word. The flush of color in a friend's cheeks can signal embarrassment, while the hue of a patient's skin can give doctors clues about their health.
In the United States, we associate different colors with specific emotions and ideas:
- Red often suggests excitement, love, and strength.
- Yellow can represent happiness and competence.
- Green is tied to nature, relaxation, and good taste.
- Blue is often perceived as serene, corporate, and high-quality.
- Purple can symbolize authority and power.
- White is linked to purity and happiness, while Black can signify grief or fear.
Nature itself is the ultimate artist, using color to paint the world around us. Think of a crisp autumn morning, where leaves transform from green to a brilliant vermillion. In the Grand Canyon, layers of sediment create a stunning spectrum from deep reds to pale ash. From the darkening sky before a storm to the fragile, undulating glow of the aurora borealis, color in nature has the power to move us, warn us, and make us pause in wonder.
Beyond communication and nature, color is a fundamental part of our creativity. It allows us to express our personalities in the clothes we wear and the way we decorate our homes. Open a box of crayons or a set of paints, and an artist of any age can lose themselves in a world of their own creation, all thanks to the magic of color.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL COLOR DAY
Explore the use of color in your life. Take in the vast and ever-changing array of shades available to you. What's your favorite color? Unleash a rainbow of possibilities and celebrate the day!
- Wear your favorite color and tell people why you love it.
- Get creative! Spend some time painting, drawing, or taking colorful photographs.
- Cook a colorful meal. Fill your plate with vibrant fruits and vegetables.
- Go on a "color walk" and consciously notice all the different shades around you in nature and your neighborhood.
- Express yourself! Share a picture of your favorite color using #NationalColorDay on
NATIONAL COLOR DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this colorful holiday.
Color FAQ
Q. My spouse and I cannot decide on a color to paint our bedroom. Which color would support better sleep?
A. We spend about a third of our time in our bedrooms. Besides sleeping, we put away clothes, get dressed, watch TV, read books, among other things. So, having a comfortable, restful space is important. While neutral colors like tan or beige are the least stimulating and promote restful sleep if you prefer a more colorful, calm color, blues promote serenity, and greens promote balance and reassurance. Colors to avoid include red (though we love its passion if you know what we mean); it can promote stimulation and inhibit sleep. However, it can be used as an accent color. Consider adding red pillows or frames to the room.
Q. I'd like to add more color to my flower gardens. What plants add lasting color all season long?
A. Annuals tend to provide long-lasting color to a flower garden more than perennial plants. However, by planting a combination of annuals and perennials, you're garden will provide you with surprising delights throughout the season. Their greenery will also give the annuals a lovely backdrop to help those colors pop.
Flowers to try include:
- Zinnias - Not only does this annual come in nearly every color of the rainbow, but it is also easy to grow.
- Moss roses - Another annual on our shortlist, these sun-loving succulents love dry, hot summers and require low maintenance, too. They also come in several varieties and colors. Another bonus is that they will often reseed themselves and fill your beds with a colorful ground cover without being invasive.
- Roses - While some gardeners have trouble maintaining this perennial, roses with a continuous bloom will add value to your garden year after year. Certain breeds bloom all season long, and one that is recommended is the Grandiflora rose bush. Another bonus is that the Grandiflora is also fragrant and grows well in zones 4-10.