Psychologists have long declared that colour adds excitement and emotion to our lives. From royal purples to natural greens to aggressive reds, the colours we choose have always been intimately tied to how we are feeling. Remember the song 'Colourblind' by Darius? It sums up all the various associations between colours and our moods. We feel blue, turn green with envy and get red hot with anger. Colours can cheer us up and relieve anxiety. At the same time, if not used properly, they can be intrusive and cause people to pay more attention to what we are wearing than what we are saying.

Walls painted peach or yellow promote relaxation. White backgrounds used on detergent boxes, low tar cigarettes and diet sodas subtly indicate cleanliness, purity and low calories. When the economy is in deep trouble, check out how much grey is featured in upcoming fashion.

What about you? What do your favourite colours reveal about your personality? Read on . . .

• Orange: The colour of autumn was named in the tenth century after the fruit. Although it has a strong relationship to food, fruit and spices, orange has always been a second string colour, taking a back seat to red and yellow. If orange, the colour of heat, fire and the harvest is your favourite colour, you probably get along well with others. You tend to be social and hate to be alone. If you're feeling down in the dumps, adding a tad of orange to your day can help.


• Yellow: Yellow is the colour of the creative and artistic individual. If it's your favourite, you have a cheerful spirit and are inclined to be intellectual, idealistic and imaginative. The colour yellow has been found to reduce theft in stores and improve the thought process of young children. Energetic yellow is used to draw most "happy" pictures.


• Green: Green reminds us of freshness, security, jealousy and camouflage. It symbolizes new growth and increases our sense of well-being. "Green rooms" in theatres promote a calm, restful atmosphere. The colour of most of the world's currency, green is considered secure and stable. If it's your favourite, you are an affectionate, loyal friend who is inclined to be frank and moral. You're a person whose reputation is very important to you and when you start something, you finish it.


• Red: Dynamic red is the colour of love, courage, anger and joy. It demands attention and helps create a cheerful atmosphere. Some studies have shown people become hungry around the colour red. If you prefer red, you are impulsive, possibly athletic, sexy and given to mood swings. You are determined to experience life to its fullest.


• Blue: Blue, the colour of tranquillity, the colour of the sea and the sky, is both the colour of peace and the colour of royalty. Its calming effects make it the colour of choice for hospital nurseries. If blue is your favourite colour, you crave harmony. You are capable, sensitive and make an outstanding friend. You are cautious in your manner of dress and conscientious at whatever you're working on.


• Purple: Purple, the colour of luxury and sensuality helps release creativity. Its lavish nature is seen on religious robes and smelled in expensive perfumes. If purple is your favourite, you may think your strong, sensitive, observant personality makes you quite unique. Chances are you are artistic and enjoy being creative and glamorous. Although you confide in friends, it's tough sometimes for them to "get" you. Exercise some caution when wearing purple, especially around the sick, as it is draining.