Mood rings first became popular in the 1970s as a way for people to get a sense of their emotional state based on the color of the ring. The rings contain thermochromic liquid crystals that respond to changes in body temperature by changing colors. While mood rings may not provide an exact diagnosis of emotions, they can be a fun way to get a general sense of your mood. When worn on the finger, the temperature of the skin determines the color of the ring. Each color is associated with a different mood or emotional state.
How do mood rings work?
Mood rings work by using liquid crystals that change colors based on temperature. The liquid crystals are sealed in a clear quartz or glass stone and backed by a thin sheet of metal. When the ring is worn on a finger, the metal sheet conducts body heat to the liquid crystals, altering their molecular structure. This molecular change causes the crystals to reflect different wavelengths of light, resulting in a color change.
The most common liquid crystals used in mood rings are made from cholesterol derivatives. These cholesterol-based crystals change color across precise temperature ranges. So when the temperature of the ring changes slightly based on finger temperature, the crystals change color.
What do the mood ring colors mean?
Here is what the different mood ring colors are thought to indicate:
Black
Black is thought to mean nervous, stressed, or anxious. A black mood ring may indicate tense emotions.
Blue
Blue is associated with a calm, relaxed emotional state. Blue indicates tranquility.
Green
Green mood ring color means normal, peaceful, or balanced. This is considered the “baseline” color.
Yellow
Yellow suggests happy, optimistic emotions. It can indicate excitement or joy.
Brown
A brown or tan color is linked to confusion or restlessness. It may signal sadness or frustration.
Grey
Grey mood ring color means you are feeling unemotional or bored. It may indicate emotional detachment.
Purple
Purple or violet is associated with passion and imagination. It suggests creativity.
Amber
Amber suggests intensity or adrenaline. It indicates enhanced emotion.
Red
A red mood ring signals strong emotions such as passion or anger. It is linked to rage or excitement.
| Mood Ring Color | Associated Mood/Feeling |
|---|---|
| Black | Stressed, anxious |
| Blue | Calm, relaxed |
| Green | Balanced, normal |
| Yellow | Happy, excited |
| Brown | Confused, restless |
| Grey | Bored, detached |
| Purple | Passionate, creative |
| Amber | Intense, adrenaline |
| Red | Angry, passionate |
Are mood rings accurate?
While mood rings may reflect some changes in emotion through finger temperature, they do not provide an exact, foolproof assessment of mood. Here are some limitations to keep in mind:
– Temperature is affected by many factors besides mood, like air temperature and blood flow. Things like exercise and stress can alter finger temperature.
– Mood itself is complex, involving many biological and psychological factors that a simple color change cannot measure.
– People experience and express emotions in different ways. Mood ring colors have standard meanings that may not apply to everyone.
– The color changes of rings are gradual, not sudden. So the meaning is not an exact “diagnosis.”
– Standard mood ring color meanings are not scientifically established. They are more speculative than evidence-based.
So mood rings can be seen as a fun and decorative way to get a rough sense of your shifting emotional state. But they cannot substitute for self-awareness of your own complex emotions. Take the colors as loose guidelines rather than absolutes.
Tips for accuracy
While mood rings are limited in their accuracy, here are some tips that may help make them a bit more sensitive:
– Wear the ring on a finger with more stable temperature, like the pinky or middle finger. The index finger changes temperature easily so readings will fluctuate more.
– Give your finger time to adjust to the ring before reading the color. It can take a few minutes to reach equilibrium.
– Remove the ring and let it reset before putting it back on. This avoids color carryover from your previous mood.
– Have a consistent baseline temperature. If your hands are frequently cold, readings will be off. Maintain good circulation.
– Take color readings at consistent times, like morning and evening, to detect patterns.
– Keep a mood journal to compare ring colors to subjective moods and look for correlations.
– Remember that sudden color changes are usually temperature shifts, not emotional shifts. Look for gradual color changes.
Conclusion
While mood rings have limits, their color changes can provide interesting personal biofeedback. The key is not to take the colors too literally, but to have fun observing patterns and possible connections to your emotional states. Mood rings are decorative conversation pieces that may roughly reflect emotions through finger temperature changes. But for any serious mood assessment, more scientific tools and self-awareness are needed. Think of a mood ring’s colors as a personality indicator rather than a mind reader. With realistic expectations, mood rings can be an entertaining way to gain a little bit of insight into yourself.
