By Stephanie Daly

Having a favorite color is a common way for people to identify themselves, and some experts say someone’s preferred hue reflects their personality.

According to the book “The Healing Power of Color” by Betty Wood, colors represent different characteristics and makes statements about people who are attracted to those shades.

College students use color to express themselves every day, whether it’s by choosing their clothing or their living spaces. Nail polish, hair dye, sneakers and jewelry are all ways for students to display their favorite hues. Some students said they believe there is a relationship between tint and traits.

“I think people with vibrant bright personalities would be attracted to vibrant colors because you associate different colors with different emotions,” said Christine Corley, a graduate student studying audiology.

Some people believe the connection between someone’s favorite color and their personalities is not only psychological but spiritual.

Pamela Oslie, a professional color psychic in Boston, said she believes everyone has aura colors that are true to their personalities. She said all light and color is an energy field and that aura colors are based on the energy radiating off of a person. The different frequencies of that energy correspond to colors.

“[Someone’s] aura colors say a lot about them. It mainly says what their intention is on this planet. It shows a lot about what they’re drawn to and what they’re all about,” Oslie said.

Students had mixed opinions on the characteristics that coincide with their favorite colors.

Katie O’Flaherty, a graduate student studying audiology, who is also friends with Corely and also said her favorite color is orange, which according to Wood’s book is the color of luxury and pleasure and appeals to a fun-loving person who likes a lively social round. People who like orange have a tendency to dramatize, but are good-natured, popular and agreeable.

“I think it’s pretty dead on,”said O’Flaherty of her color’s traits.

Corely agreed that the characteristics of orange were descriptive of her friend.

“I think it is accurate, especially the part about luxury and pleasure – she’s just laid back,” said Corley.

Sean Douty, a middler business major, also said his favorite color, blue, was representative of his character. According to Wood’s book, blue is described as soft, soothing, compassionate and caring. People who like blue are patient, conscientious and sensitive and are admired for their steady character and wisdom, according to the book.

“The compassionate, caring and conscientious parts – that’s who I am,” Douty said.

Even in the case where people’s favorite colors change, this can still reflect their disposition, said Oslie.

“Usually that means that something in their life has changed. As your moods change or as you evolve in time you go through different phases and are drawn to different colors,” she said.

Still, some students were skeptical of the vague nature of some of the color descriptions.

“I think it’s just maybe coincidence. I think if people read these things, they can try to apply it to themselves,” Corely said.