Black is the total absorption of all colour, creating a “black hole” or void in colour. For this reason it is often seen as oppressive, dark and menacing. It does however have some strong positive attributes as well as negative ones and psychologically it has many shifting implications since it can seem protecting yet absorbing, offering a shield but oppressing the personality. The dichotomy of black is that we can both love and hate it at the same time.

Black is our cultures' associated colour with death and for this reason in the west we associate it with fear, depression and grief. In many countries the opposite is true and it is associated with celebratory events. This is one of the colours that transcends our own psychological connection and tune into our culture's depictions of the colour.

Each attribute relates to how we feel when we are in the presence of the colour as well as what it says about our own personalities when black is our favourite or least favourite colour.

Positive traits:

Mysterious, gothic and unknown

Darkness, inward focus, absorption

Germination

Silence and stillness

Night time

Endings and beginnings

Sacrifice

Protection

Sophistication, glamour, drama

Security and emotional safety

Ritual

Negative traits:

Oppressive

Depression

Overwhelming

Menacing

Heaviness

Constriction

Dormant

Mourning

If black is your favourite colour, it is likely you feel inward focused, a love of the gothic side of life and have a capacity to be very dramatic. You feel most comfortable at night, when you can be yourself, have a fascination with rituals and culture, enjoy looking glamourous in black, and may even think it is slimming (this is in fact a fallacy as black absorbs and is therefore heavy and adds weight!)

If you do not like black, you may feel threatened by its oppression and constancy, and find its presence menacing. You may also be scared of the dark and indeed your own inner darkness or inner secrets may cause you concern.

When we don't like a colour one of the best things to do is acknowledge what negative aspects or traits relate to us and try to embrace the colour's positive traits through meditation, wearing the colour, or surrounding ourselves with that colour in a personal space (not necessarily by going as far as decorating, but with a throw or piece of material). Tune into the colour and try to learn the lessons it is sharing with us.

Black is not an ideal colour in the home as it will make a room seem completely closed in. It is however a favourite amongst teenagers who are just beginning to find their own inner expressions and find black provides them with a sanctuary and a statement at the same time.

Black is not associated with any charka or tarot card, although it sometimes is seen to be the colour of The Death card.