Max Lüscher was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist famous for creating the Lüscher Color Test This system links color choices to an individual’s psychological and emotional state For Lüscher, colors aren’t just visual preferences they are a universal language that reflects the subconscious. In Lüscher’s system, red is one of the primary colors that form the psychological basis of his test. Red is seen as a powerful and highly stimulating color, representing a core set of psychological meanings.
The Structural Meaning of Red According to Lüscher, “the stimulus of a color has the same objective psychological and physiological meaning for all people, regardless of gender, age, or culture.” He called this the “structural axiom.” In this context, red is considered an arousing color that activates the sympathetic nervous system. The psychoanalytic scope of red is linked to the genitals, which points to its connection with vital and instinctive energy.
Positive Connotations (When Red Is Preferred)
When someone prefers red or places it at the beginning of their color choices, it often reflects
Symbolizes vitality and the drive to act and achieve.
Reflects a desire for control, self-assertion, and leadership.
Denotes passion, love, and strong emotions.
in a positive way Can indicate readiness for work, a challenge, or a confrontation.
Reflects a tendency to take initiative and make quick decisions.
Associated with instinctive and sexual energy.
Negative Connotations (When Red Is Rejected)
if red is rejected or placed at the end of the color choices, it points to the subjective attitude toward the color, which Lüscher called the “functional axiom.” This subjective attitude is the basis for interpreting the test. Rejecting red may indicate
May signal a lack of physical or psychological energy.
Reflects the avoidance of conflicts or situations that require strength and courage.
Indicates a feeling of inability to influence or control.
May point to the repression of emotional or sexual desires.
Can reflect unexpressed feelings of anger.
Denotes a feeling of despair or disappointment.
In short, red in Lüscher’s theory represents driving energy, vitality, and passion, while its rejection reflects challenges in these areas or exhaustion that prevents their expression. Analyzing color preferences, such as red, allows the test to provide a deeper understanding of an individual’s psychological state.