There are symbols and signs that push us toward certain ideas. One of these is color. We may not realize it, but the political and natural world is full of secret messages based on color, that are guiding us.

A Blue Wave?

Have you ever wondered why Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Periscope, LinkedIn, and so many others all have blue as their dominant color? It’s no coincidence. Blue represents something: communication and calm. It also helps that blue is the color that both men and women prefer.

Red V. Blue

What about the present political system? We associate blue with the Democratic Party and red with the Republican Party.

Blue is a color that gives a sense of calm, while red is more fiery. Do these colors represent the political parties that use them?

In fact, the Republicans and Democrats did not choose their own colors.

The colors didn’t really become standardized until the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Before this, news networks and papers all varied which color was used to represent parties. And then came The New York Times and USA Today electoral maps, which gave red to the Republicans, apparently because it started with an “r.”

Forcing An Idea

Portraying the Democrats as blue gives them an air of calm and contemplation, and it appeals to both men and women.

Red has been associated with revolution. During the French Revolution of 1789, the red flag was adopted to represent “the blood of the angry workers.” And this use of the Red Flag continued through the Russian revolution, Marxism, Socialism, and other revolutionary groups.

Do these colors affect the way we see these political parties? Ironically, the Republicans are usually seen as more stable, while the Democrats often call for change in society.

Colors are beautiful things. They can inspire emotions, calm an angered heart, soothe a savage soul, and even help us overcome the challenges of life.