University gowns: The meaning of colours 

Red

• Law Red symbolises power and authority in the legal field. In fact, this colour is often associated with justice and the force of the law.
• Power Red represents strength and influence, essential qualities for those in leadership roles.
• Passion The colour also evokes intense emotions and vitality, reflecting energy and commitment.
• Vitality Red: Finally, red is associated with energy and life, symbolising vigour and dynamism.

Blue

• Sciences Blue: Blue is often used to represent stability and scientific rigour. This colour is synonymous with seriousness and method.
• Stability Blue also evokes confidence and reliability, qualities that are essential in the scientific field.
• Knowledge The colour also symbolises the quest for knowledge and infinity, reflecting the immensity of the knowledge to be explored.
• Infinity Blue: Finally, blue represents the immensity and depth of knowledge, suggesting an endless horizon for learning.

Green

• Life sciences Green is particularly associated with the life sciences, nature and biology. This colour evokes growth and development.
• Nature Green also symbolises the environment and growth, recalling the vitality of nature.
• Hope The colour is also often synonymous with optimism and renewal, suggesting a positive outlook.
• Renewal Green represents regeneration and vitality, essential concepts in the life sciences.

Yellow

• Letters Yellow: Yellow is associated with literature and the arts. This colour evokes creativity and artistic expression.
• Arts Yellow also symbolises light and illumination, key elements in the arts.
• Light The colour also represents clarity and illumination, suggesting revelation and understanding.
• Joy Yellow: Finally, yellow is synonymous with happiness and enthusiasm, reflecting joy and positivity.

Secondary colours and their shades

Violet

• Spirituality Violet evokes meditation and spiritual depth. This colour is often associated with inner reflection.
• Royalty Purple is also traditionally associated with nobility and dignity, symbolising royal power.
• Wisdom Violet symbolises knowledge and reflection. It is a wise, thoughtful colour.
• Dignity Finally, violet is synonymous with respect and honour, reflecting dignity and nobility.

Orange

• Joy Orange: Orange evokes happiness and positivity. This colour is often associated with enthusiasm and warmth.
• Communication Orange also symbolises exchange and interaction, key elements in communication.
• Enthusiasm The colour represents energy and passion, suggesting a dynamic, proactive attitude.
• Creativity Finally, orange is synonymous with innovation and originality. It's a creative, inventive colour.

Black

• Universal knowledge Black symbolises the depth and breadth of knowledge. This colour is often associated with universal knowledge.
• Academic severity Black also evokes the solemnity and seriousness of studies, reflecting academic gravity.

Symbolic meanings

Colour psychology

• Red Red evokes strong emotions such as passion and energy, influencing perceptions and behaviour.
• Blue Blue brings a sense of calm and stability, encouraging concentration and serenity.
• Green Green represents tranquillity and harmony, creating a soothing, balanced atmosphere.
• Yellow Yellow evokes joy and positivity, stimulating optimism and creativity.
• Violet Violet symbolises reflection and spirituality, encouraging meditation and introspection.
• Orange Orange brings enthusiasm and creativity, encouraging innovation and expression.
• Black Black evokes gravity and sophistication, giving an impression of seriousness and depth.

Cultural symbols

• The meanings of colours can vary from culture to culture. For example, white is often associated with purity in the West, whereas it can symbolise mourning in some Asian cultures. Similarly, red may be seen as a colour of luck and happiness in China, whereas it is often associated with alertness and danger in the West.

Historical associations

• Colours have often been associated with historical events or figures. For example, purple was reserved for royalty in ancient Rome, while red was used by many revolutionary movements to symbolise change and passion. These historical associations enrich the meaning of colours and give them a profound symbolic dimension.

Having established the meaning of the different colours, it is interesting to see how these colours are applied in academic disciplines. Colours are not chosen at random; they are carefully selected to represent the values and characteristics of each field of study. Let's look at how colours are used to

Colours and disciplines

The major areas

Sciences

• Predominance of blue and green : In the sciences, blue and green are the dominant colours. Blue embodies rationality and precision, essential qualities for scientists. It also evokes stability and confidence, crucial elements in scientific research. As for green, it represents the link with nature and the life sciences. It symbolises growth, vitality and hope, fundamental concepts in biological and environmental disciplines.

Literature and the arts

• Frequent use of yellow, red and violet : In literature and the arts, the colours yellow, red and violet are frequently used for their rich symbolism. Yellow, for example, is the colour of light and illumination. It evokes creativity, inspiration and intellectual clarity. Red, on the other hand, symbolises passion and energy, reflecting the emotional intensity often found in literary and artistic works. Finally, violet represents sensitivity and spiritual depth, essential qualities for artists and writers.

Law and political science

• Red dominates : In law and political science, red is the dominant colour. It symbolises power and justice, concepts that are central to these disciplines. Red also evokes passion and commitment, reflecting the intensity and determination needed to defend rights and the principles of justice.

The nuances and exceptions

Colour variations within the same discipline

• Variations Within the same discipline, there may be variations in colour to represent specialisations or sub-disciplines. For example, in the sciences, light blue may be used for the physical sciences, while dark green may represent the life sciences. In this way, these shades help to distinguish the different branches of the same academic field.

Colours specific to certain institutions or countries

• Institutional and national specificities Some institutions or countries may have specific colours for their university gowns. For example, a university may choose unique colours for its different faculties to reflect its identity and traditions. Similarly, some countries may have particular conventions when it comes to academic colours, influenced by their history and culture.

Having seen how colours are associated with different academic disciplines, it is relevant to look at how colour codes have evolved over time. University dress codes have not been static; they have evolved in response to social, cultural and technological changes. Let's look at how historical events, the feminisation of universities, globalisation and the digital age have influenced and continue to influence these colour codes.

The evolution of colour codes

The 20th century

The two world wars and their impact on dress codes

The feminisation of universities and the adaptation of colour codes

• Adapting codes : With the increase in the number of women in universities in the 20th century, dress codes have had to adapt. Academic gowns and accessories have evolved to include more varied styles and colours, reflecting the growing diversity of the student body. This feminisation has also led to a re-evaluation of traditional colours to better represent inclusion and equality.

Criticism and alternatives

• Reviews and alternatives Traditional colour codes have also come in for criticism. Some feel that they are too rigid and do not reflect the modernity and diversity of today's academic disciplines. In response, some universities have adopted more flexible alternatives, allowing students to choose colours that better represent their personal and academic identity.

Conclusion

Summarising the points covered, we explored the evolution of academic colour codes over the centuries, highlighting the impact of world wars, the feminisation of universities, globalisation, criticism and alternatives, as well as the impact of digital technology. These elements show how academic dress codes have adapted to social and cultural change while retaining their essence.

Despite these many changes, university colour codes persist as a symbol of academic tradition and identity. They continue to play an important role in university ceremonies and culture, recalling the values and histories that have shaped academic institutions. This persistence testifies to the strength of traditions and their ability to evolve while remaining relevant.