Do you really know? What is chromophobia?
Nov 4, 2025
Discover the intriguing world of chromophobia, the fear of colors with roots in biology and psychology. Learn about the rare aversions people have towards certain hues, often driven by their symbolic meanings. Delve into leukophobia, the fear of white, and its association with pale skin. Explore how color has been shunned in art and design, reflecting a broader cultural aversion. Finally, find out how consumerism's risk aversion has led to a monochromatic trend in products and films.
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Origins And Rarity Of Chromophobia
- Chromophobia originally described cells unresponsive to colour and later expanded into psychology as fear or rejection of colours.
- Pathological aversion to colours is rare and often tied to symbolic meanings rather than hue itself.
Symbolism Drives Colour Phobias
- Colour fears often stem from the symbolism a colour carries rather than the colour itself, triggering hormonal and psychological reactions.
- Red (erythrophobia) and white (leukophobia) illustrate how meanings like blood or illness can cause physical phobic symptoms.
Batchelor's Art School Memory
- David Batchelor's book Chromophobia argues Western art increasingly rejected colour in favour of black and grey.
- Batchelor recalled that during his time as an art student, everything leaned towards black and grey, diminishing colour in contemporary art.
