The Colours of Love

Contrary to common belief, it's not all down to fairy-tale princesses and Barbie dolls. You may be surprised to hear the answer is as much evolutionary as it is social. 

Studies show that women prefer red & pink tones. Even in their choice of blues and greens, women tend to favour hues with red in the colour. It is thought that this is partially evolutionary - traditionally the gatherers, women were careful to pick only ripe (=red) fruits.

Fast forward to Mediaeval times: back when the concept of courtly love emerged in the middle ages, red dye was the most difficult and expensive colour to create. So a red-coloured gift was considered a particularly grand display of affection. Red was also believed to be an intentional and eternal colour, making it an expression of undying love. To create pink you need to add white - the purest colour of all - to red. No surprise then that pink symbolises both the clarity and authenticity of your love.

Shades of Pink

Pink runs the gamut from soft pastel pinks through to bright and hot pinks, and the shade you choose can signal completely different messages.

Soft pastels are considered to symbolise innocence, fostering feelings of kindness and compassion. These gentle colours are nurturing, playful, and nostalgic - taking people back to their childhoods.

 
On the opposing end, bright, bold and hot pinks symbolise burning passion. Bright and hot pinks are associated with love, romance, and even lust. Intense pinks create a sense of urgency, but stop short of the power of a deep red.