Indigo is a deep and rich color that evokes a sense of mystery and spirituality. It exists between the blue and violet ends of the visible color spectrum, linking the earthly and celestial. Throughout history, indigo has been associated with intuition, wisdom, and psychic abilities. Its saturation suggests depth and profundity. So what emotion does the color indigo elicit? The answer lies in both its cultural symbolism and psychological influence.
Symbolic Meaning
Across cultures and eras, indigo has carried symbolic meaning linking it to psychic energy and inward states of being. Here are some of the key associations:
Third Eye Chakra
In Hinduism and yoga, indigo relates to the sixth or brow chakra, known as ajna. Located between the eyes, this chakra governs intuition and inner wisdom when balanced. Indigo helps activate and align this energy center.
Mysticism
Many mystical traditions including Sufism, Kabbalah, and esoteric Christianity use indigo in connection with the metaphysicalrealm. It represents the border between the physical and spiritual dimensions.
Psychic Ability
Those who claim psychic and extrasensory skills often associate indigo with the third eye and the ability to see beyond ordinary perception. It has an air of the supernatural about it.
Night Sky
The deep blue-violet hue of the night sky has an otherworldly feel. This spiritual quality of indigo is reflected in the phrase “midnight blue.”
Royalty
In many cultures, rulers wore indigo as a mark of status and power. It was also used in religious ceremonies, linking it to elevated awareness.
Non-conformity
Indigo’s rarity in nature gives it an unconventional edge, often worn by creative non-conformists.
Psychology of Indigo
Beyond its meaning, indigo has an intrinsic sensory and psychological effect. The physiology of our color perception helps explain why indigo elicits introspective, intuitive feelings.
Color Wheel Position
Indigo sits between blue and violet on the color wheel. Blue conjures feelings of calm, tranquility, and openness. Violet relates to luxury, spirituality, and imagination. Indigo inherits aspects of both, mixing these contemplative qualities.
Light Wavelength
In the visible color spectrum, indigo’s wavelength range of about 420 to 450 nanometers sits at the border of human perception – reminiscent of the metaphysical edge between seen and unseen. This liminal quality adds to its mystical nature.
Rarity in Nature
Unlike other colors on the spectrum, pure indigo rarely occurs in nature. This scarcity amplifies its distinctive otherworldliness for our senses.
Effects on Mood
Psychological studies on color show indigo decreases arousal and instills a calming, centering effect. It encourages self-reflection and perceptiveness, as opposed to more energizing colors like red, orange, and yellow.
Effects on Thought
Research indicates indigo promotes holistic, abstract, and divergent thinking. It steers the mind inward toward open-ended exploration rather than logical linearity. This relates to insight and intuition.
Indigo Across Cultures
Indigo holds symbolic meaning across diverse global cultures, often linked to internal wisdom, mystic forces, and non-mainstream belief systems.
Asia
– In Indian culture, indigo represents the third eye chakra and its access to inner vision. It is used in Hindu and Buddhist ceremonies.
– In China, indigo marries the yin and yang as a bridge between earth and heaven. It is associated with spiritual journeying.
Africa
– In Yoruban spirituality, indigo ribbons honor the god Obatala, reflecting truth and justice.
– Throughout Africa, royal leaders wear indigo as a mark of wisdom, power, and ancestral connection.
Europe
– European occultists use indigo in rituals and to open doorways to the metaphysical realm.
– Many Christians view indigo as sacred and use it in religious ceremonies, prayer, and church decor.
Middle East
– In Islam, indigo is featured on talismans to provide spiritual protection.
– Jewish mystics associate it with esoteric knowledge of the Torah.
Americas
– Among native Americans like the Navajo, indigo carries a strong symbolic and spiritual meaning often used in art, textiles, and ceremonies.
– Modern New Age practices use indigo to enhance psychic abilities and metaphysical awakening.
The Indigo Child Concept
A controversial theory proposes the existence of “indigo children” – highly intuitive youth said to usher in new human capacities. While lacking scientific validity, this reinforces indigo’s image as tapping extraordinary perception.
Origins
In the 1970s, Nancy Ann Tappe introduced the idea of indigo children based on her psychic perceptions of aura colors. The concept gained traction in 1998 after the book The Indigo Children was published about super-sensitive gifted youth.
Traits
These children were described as possessing unique traits and abilities including:
– Strong intuition and psychic skills
– Wisdom and perception beyond their years
– A sense of grand purpose and idealism
– Frustration with societal norms and institutions
– High intelligence but sometimes unseen gifts
Controversy
Many in the scientific community dismiss indigo children as a pseudoscientific concept with insufficient evidence. Critics cite that alleged traits resemble existing diagnoses like giftedness and autism. Proponents, however, maintain that indigo kids represent expanded human potential.
Psychic Readings Using Indigo
The indigo color is often incorporated into psychic readings and energy work based on its aura meanings.
Indigo Psychic Energy
Psychics associate indigo with strong intuitive power. Seeing this color around a person may indicate their natural clairvoyant abilities or third eye chakra energies.
Third Eye Readings
When providing intuitive readings, psychics will often invoke indigo light to activate the third eye. This aims to heighten their inner sight and perception beyond the five senses.
Indigo Aura Photography
Aura camera imaging shows indigo most often around the forehead to reflect intuition and spiritual connection. Dominant indigo in the aura may signify psychic gifts.
Indigo Energy Healing
Healers use indigo light work to balance the third eye chakra. They visualize filling patients with indigo to stimulate inner wisdom, imagination, and insight.
Indigo Meditation
Meditating on indigo guides awareness inward and opens the door to cosmic consciousness – allowing intuitive knowledge to reach conscious awareness.
Indigo in Daily Life
While indigo holds deep symbolism, it also enriches contemporary life through relaxation, creative expression, and meaningful connection.
Relaxation
The calming effect of indigo makes it ideal for relaxation practices. Try visualizing indigo light, meditating on the color, or using it in spaces where you seek centered calm.
Artistic Inspiration
Indigo can inspire unconventional creative thinking and visionary art. Many great painters and composers have used the color symbolically in their works.
Interior Design
Use indigo in moderation to create an introspective, mystical ambiance – like in a meditation room or spiritual space. Pair it with moonlight hues.
Fashion Statement
In clothing and jewelry, indigo provides a color statement that is both bold and soulful. It brings ancient mystique to modern edgy style.
Bonding Rituals
Lighting indigo candles and sharing moments of silence, meditation, or wisdom passages with trusted loved ones forges deep bonds.
Conclusion
While indigo’s rarity gives it an enigmatic quality, it ultimately represents our shared humanity’s infinite capacity for insight, imagination, and connection. The color taps our intuitive inner sight that transcends ordinary perception – a vision that unites rather than separates. So indigo’s emotion is ultimately one of deep understanding, empathy and unity.
