Quantitative analysis of traditional Chinese color

Abstract

Chinese traditional colors are an important component of traditional culture, containing profound national culture and unique aesthetic ideas. Analyzing and applying the color characteristics of traditional Chinese colors can integrate traditional color design concepts into contemporary design, implying a design path from tradition to the present, and meeting the diversified and personalized consumer needs of the market. This study examined consumers’ psychological perception of traditional colors using the Natural Color System and Likert scale. Factor analysis and association tests revealed color attributes and image cognitive traits. The results reveal that blackness often degrades color image judgement. Saturation influenced Tang and Qing color perception. Red, green, and blue are the ideal hues for the Tang, Song, and Qing Dynasties, respectively. Song Dynasty culture and emotions are perfectly reflected in the green color. The Ming Dynasty’s visual traits are blue, and its culture and feeling are yellow. The red color best reflects the Qing Dynasty’s cultural and emotional traits, and the blue hue best matches its aesthetic traits. The study attempts to quantify customised furniture color design and improve product color design’s cultural meaning and aesthetic effect.