International Colour Day - Dia Internacional da Cor

21 March is the International Colour Day.

© Illustration: Celia Ascenso | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Visual perception is the ability to interpret the surrounding environment by processing information that is contained in visible light. Colour is greatly influential in people’s lives and also one of the channels that contributes to the perception of reality.The day chosen for the adoption of an international day of colour and light was March 21st because this day is the also the "equinox" – aequus (equal) and nox (night). Around the equinox, the night and day are approximately equally long, symbolically relating to the nature of light and darkness, light and shadow expressed in many human cultures.

© Illustration: Celia Ascenso | Agency: Dreamstime.com

"Color can help to facilitate and fulfil some very basic human needs. It can: identify and specify necessary objects (animal, vegetable or mineral) for survival and/or enjoyment; stimulate and work synergistically with all the senses – sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch; mark territory and manage personal space; symbolize abstract concepts and thoughts; recall another time or space /create a mnemonic sensation); express fantasy and wish-fulfilment; create illusions and ambience; emphasize or camouflage figures or objects; enhance self-image and personal esteem; produce an aesthetic response. most important, the use and arrangement of color enable us to create beauty and harmony and express our personal taste, by doing so, provide us with a sense of accomplishment." - in “Pantone Book of Color”, Abrams, 1990

Website of the International Colour Association:

http://www.aic-color.org/