Colours are more than just what we see—they tell stories, spark emotions, and carry deep meanings. I share 30 colour metaphors, each with its unique significance, clear meanings, and relatable examples.
From the calm of blue and the joy of yellow to the mystery of black and the passion of red, every metaphor connects a colour to an idea or feeling. My aim is to show how colours shape the way we think and express ourselves. Whether it’s green symbolizing growth or purple embodying royalty, each metaphor adds layers of understanding to the world of colours.
List Of 30 Metaphors for Colours
- Green is envy
- Green is growth
- Red is rage
- Red is passion
- Black is mystery
- Black is despair
- White is purity
- White is emptiness
- Brown is stability
- Brown is dullness
- Blue is calm
- Blue is sadness
- Orange is energy
- Orange is caution
- Purple is royalty
- Purple is mystery
- Yellow is joy
- Yellow is cowardice
- Pink is love
- Pink is naivety
- Gray is boredom
- Teal is confusion
- Gold is greed
- Silver is pride
- Bronze is humility
- Ivory is pretension
- Beige is indifference
- Turquoise is creativity
- Magenta is boldness
- Olive is peace
Green Metaphors
Green is envy
Meaning: Jealousy or desire.
Example: Her green eyes revealed her envy of his success.
Green is growth
Meaning: New beginnings or development.
Example: The green fields symbolized the fresh start they needed.
Red Metaphors
Red is rage
Meaning: Intense anger.
Example: His red face reflected his uncontrollable rage.
Red is passion
Meaning: Deep emotion or love.
Example: Her red dress was a sign of her passionate spirit.
Black Metaphors
Black is mystery
Meaning: The unknown or hidden.
Example: The black night held secrets untold.
Black is despair
Meaning: Hopelessness or sadness.
Example: The black clouds mirrored his despair.
White Metaphors
White is purity
Meaning: Innocence or cleanliness.
Example: Her white gown embodied purity and grace.
White is emptiness
Meaning: Void or lack of content.
Example: The white walls reflected the emptiness of the room.
Brown Metaphors
Brown is stability
Meaning: Dependability or groundedness.
Example: His brown eyes conveyed stability and trust.
Brown is dullness
Meaning: Lack of excitement or vibrancy.
Example: The brown landscape seemed dull and uninspiring.
Blue Metaphors
Blue is calm
Meaning: Peace or tranquility.
Example: The blue sky brought a sense of calm to the day.
Blue is sadness
Meaning: Melancholy or sorrow.
Example: Her blue mood was hard to ignore.
Orange Metaphors
Orange is energy
Meaning: Vitality or enthusiasm.
Example: The orange sun radiated energy and warmth.
Orange is caution
Meaning: Warning or alertness.
Example: The orange sign indicated caution ahead.
Purple Metaphors
Purple is royalty
Meaning: Elegance or nobility.
Example: The purple robe symbolized her royal status.
Purple is mystery
Meaning: Intrigue or the unknown.
Example: The purple twilight hinted at a mysterious adventure.
Yellow Metaphors
Yellow is joy
Meaning: Happiness or cheerfulness.
Example: The yellow flowers brought joy to her heart.
Yellow is cowardice
Meaning: Lack of courage.
Example: His yellow streak showed in moments of fear.
Pink Metaphors
Pink is love
Meaning: Affection or romance.
Example: The pink sunset mirrored their blossoming love.
Pink is naivety
Meaning: Innocence or inexperience.
Example: Her pink dreams were full of naive hope.
Funny Metaphors for Colours
Gray is boredom
Meaning: Lack of excitement.
Example: His gray days were filled with monotonous tasks.
Teal is confusion
Meaning: Uncertainty or mix of emotions.
Example: The teal horizon left her puzzled and thoughtful.
Gold is greed
Meaning: Excessive desire for wealth.
Example: His gold ambitions blinded him to kindness.
Silver is pride
Meaning: Vanity or self-importance.
Example: The silver car screamed of his immense pride.
Bronze is humility
Meaning: Acceptance of imperfection.
Example: His bronze medal was a badge of his humility.
Ivory is pretension
Meaning: False superiority.
Example: The ivory tower symbolized his pretentious nature.
Beige is indifference
Meaning: Lack of concern or care.
Example: His beige attitude annoyed the energetic crowd.
Turquoise is creativity
Meaning: Imagination or originality.
Example: The turquoise patterns on the canvas reflected her creativity.
Magenta is boldness
Meaning: Fearlessness or audacity.
Example: Her magenta coat turned heads wherever she went.
Olive is peace
Meaning: Harmony or reconciliation.
Example: The olive branches represented the truce between nations.
How do metaphors help us understand colours better?
Metaphors connect colours to emotions and ideas, making them easier to relate to. For example, when I say “yellow is joy,” it instantly brings happiness to mind.
Why are colours often used as metaphors in writing?
Colours naturally evoke strong feelings and mental images. As I’ve shown, they help writers express complex ideas, like using “blue is calm” to reflect peace.
Can I create my own colour metaphors?
A3: Absolutely! By linking a colour to a personal feeling or idea, you can craft metaphors that resonate uniquely, like my examples of “orange is energy” or “green is envy.”
