Pregnancy is an exciting and emotional time for expectant mothers. As the baby grows inside the womb, the mother’s body goes through many changes to support the development of new life. Pregnancy brings feelings of joy, anticipation, nervousness, and more. It can be a transformative experience for a woman. During this special period, many look for ways to celebrate the pregnancy and connect with their unborn baby. One way this is done is through colors that represent pregnancy.
Pink and Blue
The most common colors associated with pregnancy are pink and blue. Pink symbolizes a baby girl, while blue represents a baby boy. Expectant parents will often use these colors for gender reveal parties. Once the sex of the baby is known, pink and blue become the go-to colors for decorating the nursery, buying clothes, and stocking up on other baby gear in preparation for the little one’s arrival.
Back when ultrasounds were not available, the gender was a surprise. But families would still decorate using pink or blue depending on their hopes for a daughter or son. Pink and blue remain deeply ingrained in our culture’s representations of pregnancy today.
Pink
Pink has become the color most strongly associated with all things feminine. It represents sweetness, warmth, love, and nurturing. Therefore, it has naturally become linked to pregnancy when the baby is a girl. However, pink has not always had this connection.
Interestingly, back in the early 1900s, pink was actually more often used for baby boys, while blue was designated for girls. It was thought that pink was a stronger, more masculine hue. Blue was considered more delicate and dainty. But that gradually reversed by the 1950s and pink became the predominant color for baby girls.
Now, pink symbolizes the pending arrival of a daughter. It represents the mother-daughter relationship and feminine energy. Pink conveys softness, pride, and joy for parents expecting a little princess.
Blue
Blue represents anticipation of a baby boy. Because blue is commonly associated with masculinity, strength, and intelligence, it has become the go-to color for expected baby boys. While girls get pink bows, boys get blue trucks and sports gear.
Blue conjures up images of father-son bonding and masculine energy. It has been used for generations to celebrate when a boy is on the way. Light blue conveys innocence and potential. Darker shades symbolize capability and integrity.
Parents who know they are having a son tend to gravitate towards blue when picking out baby items and decorating the nursery. And many gender reveal parties will incorporate blue decorations or props when announcing the arrival of a baby boy.
Other Color Associations
While pink and blue are the most commonly recognized colors representing an expected daughter or son, other hues hold significance for pregnancy as well. Here are some additional colors connected to this special time.
Purple
Purple is sometimes used as the color for pregnancy in lieu of pink or blue when a baby’s sex is not yet known. It nicely straddles the line between masculine and feminine. Purple combines the strength of blue and the warmth of pink. It represents the balance of male and female energy before the child’s gender is revealed.
Additionally, purple is associated with spirituality, creativity, wisdom, and mystery. Using purple during pregnancy can represent the magical feelings of anticipation and the unknown before the baby is born.
Yellow
Bright, warm yellow is another gender-neutral color that is used to celebrate pregnancy before knowing whether it’s a boy or girl. Yellow evokes happiness, optimism, and hope. It also represents the radiance of the expectant mother as she glows during this exciting time. Yellow can express the joy surrounding pregnancy and the positive wishes for the baby’s future.
Pale yellows are sometimes used in nurseries before the baby’s arrival, adding a warm, neutral touch. Other popular nursery colors like grays, greens, and browns also pair nicely with light yellow.
Green
Green is commonly associated with nature, growth, harmony, and fertility. Therefore, it has become symbolic of a healthy pregnancy. Some parents may incorporate green when preparing for the baby as a way to express life, prosperity, renewal, and abundance.
Sage is considered a color of wisdom and reflection. So it can represent the growth parents experience as they prepare for this new chapter. Meanwhile, emerald green symbolizes protection. It conveys wishing the best for both parent and child.
White
White represents purity, humility, and innocence. In many cultures, it is closely linked to birth and new beginnings. For this reason, white is often used in relation to pregnancy and babies. It can suggest a clean slate entering parenthood or the innocence of a child.
Babies are often swaddled in white blankets or take home outfits. And white crib bedding and nursery decor allows for gender neutrality. White reflects the miracle of pregnancy and anticipation of meeting the new baby.
Using Color Psychology
The psychology of color can tap into our emotions and perceptions. Bright, intensive hues often elicit excitement and joy. Meanwhile, soft, pale tones can evoke feelings of relaxation and comfort.
Parents-to-be can use this understanding of color symbolism and psychology as they prepare for baby’s arrival. Here are some ideas for incorporating meaningful colors.
Gender Reveal Parties
Pink or blue are obvious color choices for gender reveal gatherings. Decor, food, and the reveal gimmick itself may all revolve around pink or blue based on baby’s sex. But purple and yellow make great gender-neutral options for those wanting the element of surprise.
If you know baby’s gender, use corresponding symbolic colors throughout the party. Tablecloths, plates, balloons, streamers, and more can all carry the pink or blue hue to build anticipation and excitement surrounding the reveal.
Nursery Decorating
Use color psychology to create an impactful room for your baby. Pink and blue make bold gender-specific choices. But purple, yellow, green, and white also have symbolic meaning if you want a more neutral palette until baby arrives.
Consider pale green walls to represent nature and growth. Then add pops of color with yellow decorative accents to convey optimism and joy. Or create a calm, cozy retreat with lavender walls and white furniture.
Clothing & Accessories
Look for pregnancy-related clothing and accessories that incorporate your color of choice. For example, a blue or pink ribbon on a necklace or bracelet to represent baby’s sex once known. Or a purple journal to record thoughts and milestones throughout pregnancy.
Stock up on some white onesies and blankets to welcome baby. Then add pink or blue items as desired once you know the gender. Have some gender neutral yellow and green items on hand as well.
Hospital Bag & Baby Book
Pack a hospital bag with a few colored items to celebrate after baby’s birth. For example, wrap the going home outfit in pink or blue tissue paper. Or include a purple blanket and yellow stuffed animal for baby’s first photo.
Track milestones and memories in a baby book with a meaningful color cover. Use pink or blue if known. Otherwise, select a neutral tone like white, yellow, green or purple.
Push Gift
Have your partner give you a “push gift” after delivery that incorporates a meaningful color. Opt for blue or pink jewelry if known. Or choose yellow for happiness, purple for balance, or green for renewal.
A piece of colored jewelry or other accessory can serve as a special memento of pregnancy and birth.
Complementary Colors in Decor
In addition to using colors with symbolic meaning, parents can create interesting nurseries and decor by playing with complementary colors. These are colors located opposite each other on the color wheel that naturally pair well together.
Try these popular complementary color combinations for pregnancy and baby:
- Pink and green
- Blue and orange
- Purple and yellow
- Red and green
Mixing natural gender colors with an accent complementary color looks stylish. For example, pink walls with green bedding and floral accents. Or blue walls with orange throw pillows. Complementary colors add visual interest while also tapping into psychology and symbolism.
Rainbow Baby Colors
Rainbow colors hold special significance for parents preparing for a rainbow baby. A rainbow baby is a child born after losing a previous baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. The rainbow symbolizes hope and light after a storm.
Those expecting a rainbow baby may use rainbow colors like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet in nurseries or gender reveals. This colorful spectrum honors the baby previous lost while also celebrating the promise of new life.
Conclusion
Certain colors have become deeply ingrained in their association with pregnancy and babies. Pink and blue represent the common hope of having either a son or daughter. Purple, yellow, green, white and other hues also hold symbolic meaning during this profound experience.
Expectant mothers can incorporate significant colors through gender reveal parties, nursery design, clothing, accessories, and more. Color psychology taps into the emotions surrounding pregnancy and birth. It provides a meaningful way to represent femininity or masculinity of the baby and express positivity for the future.
Pregnancy fills parents-to-be with love, anticipation, and dreams for their child. Color gives expecting mothers a visible way to reflect the magic and emotion of this journey as they prepare to welcome their baby into the world.