In many spiritual traditions, an aura is described as a field of energy surrounding the body, and its colour is read as a reflection of your mood, personality and wellbeing. Red is usually linked to passion and drive, orange to creativity, yellow to confidence, green to healing and growth, blue to calm and communication, purple to intuition, and white to clarity or spiritual connection.
If you’ve ever said someone “has a lovely energy” or “gives off a bad vibe”, you already understand the intuition behind aura reading. Whether or not you take auras literally, the language of colour is a warm and surprisingly useful way to think about how you’re feeling and how you come across to others. In this guide we explain where the idea comes from, what each colour is generally said to mean, and how an aura reading works if you’d like to try one.
What is an aura?
The word aura comes from Greek and Latin words meaning “breeze” or “breath”. Ideas of a luminous energy or light around the body appear in many cultures and eras, from halos in religious art to concepts of life energy in Indian and Chinese traditions. The modern spiritual idea of a coloured, layered aura became popular in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries through Theosophy and later New Age writing.
It’s important to be honest here: auras have not been demonstrated by mainstream science, and aura reading is best understood as an intuitive, reflective practice within a spiritual tradition rather than a measurable fact. That doesn’t make it any less meaningful to the many people who find it comforting and insightful. It simply means we’re talking about interpretation, not diagnosis, and nothing in this article is medical or mental-health advice.
How do people see or sense auras?
Some practitioners describe seeing a soft glow or band of colour around a person, especially around the head and shoulders. Others don’t “see” anything at all but sense colour intuitively, or work with tools such as aura photography, which uses hand sensors and colour overlays to produce an image (the colours in these photos are generated by the equipment’s readings, so they’re an interpretation too).
Many intuitive readers, including clairvoyants, describe picking up on someone’s energy as a feeling or an impression that they then translate into colour. If you’re curious about how that kind of sensing is described, our article on what a clairvoyant is explains the different “clair” senses.
What do the different aura colours mean?
Interpretations vary between teachers and traditions, so treat the following as the most commonly shared meanings rather than fixed rules. Most readers also say that the shade matters: a clear, bright colour is usually read more positively than a murky or muddy version of the same colour.
Red aura meaning
Red is generally associated with passion, energy, drive and physical vitality. People described as having a red aura are often seen as bold, action-oriented and grounded in the physical world. A darker or muddier red is sometimes read as frustration, anger or burnout, a sign that all that energy needs somewhere healthy to go.
Orange aura meaning
Orange is usually linked to creativity, warmth, sociability and enthusiasm. It’s the colour of someone who lights up a room and enjoys new experiences. A dull orange is sometimes interpreted as restlessness or a craving for stimulation that isn’t quite being met.
Yellow aura meaning
Yellow is associated with confidence, optimism, intellect and playfulness. A bright yellow aura is often described as sunny and inspiring. A pale or clouded yellow is sometimes read as overthinking, worry or a lack of self-belief.
Green aura meaning
Green is widely read as the colour of healing, growth, balance and compassion. It’s often associated with nurturing people such as carers, gardeners and healers. A murky green is sometimes interpreted as jealousy or a feeling of being stuck, while a clear emerald green is seen as very harmonious.
Blue aura meaning
Blue is generally linked to calm, honesty, communication and sensitivity. People with a blue aura are often described as good listeners and clear speakers. Darker or cloudy blue is sometimes read as fear of speaking up or a tendency to hold things in.
Purple or violet aura meaning
Purple and violet are associated with intuition, imagination, spirituality and a strong inner life. Within the aura tradition it’s often described as the colour of visionaries and empaths. Because it’s linked to sensitivity, a purple aura is sometimes said to need grounding and rest.
Pink aura meaning
Pink is read as love, tenderness, kindness and romance. It’s often associated with people who lead with the heart. Some readers see a lot of pink around someone who is newly in love or who is healing after heartbreak.
White aura meaning
White is generally interpreted as clarity, purity, protection or a strong spiritual connection. Some traditions consider it rare; others see it as a sign that someone is going through a period of spiritual growth or is very open to new experiences.
Black, grey or dark aura meaning
This is the one that worries people, so let’s be gentle and clear. In most traditions, dark or grey shades aren’t read as “evil” or as a fixed part of who you are. They’re usually interpreted as tiredness, grief, stress or unprocessed hurt: energy that feels heavy right now. If that resonates, please be kind to yourself. An aura reading can be a comforting way to reflect, but if you’re feeling low, grieving or overwhelmed, do reach out to your GP or a trusted friend. The Samaritans (116 123) are available around the clock, and Cruse Bereavement Support (0808 808 1677) can help if you’re grieving.
Gold, silver and rainbow auras
Gold is often read as wisdom, generosity and inner strength; silver as abundance, intuition or awakening; and a “rainbow” or multi-coloured aura as someone in a period of rapid change or with a lot going on emotionally. Again, these are traditional interpretations rather than certainties.
Can your aura colour change?
Within the aura tradition, yes. Most readers describe the aura as having a dominant “baseline” colour linked to personality, plus shifting colours that reflect mood, health and circumstances. So the colour someone senses around you after a stressful week may be quite different from the one they’d sense on holiday. This is one reason readers tend to say that no aura colour is “bad”, because it’s a snapshot, not a sentence.
How can I sense my own aura?
You don’t need any special equipment to try. Here’s a simple exercise many people enjoy.
Sit or stand in front of a plain, pale wall in soft light. Relax your eyes and look slightly to the side of your hand or the top of your head rather than directly at it. Some people report a faint glow or colour after a minute or two; others simply notice a feeling or a colour that comes to mind. Either is fine.
Alternatively, close your eyes and ask yourself, “If my energy were a colour today, what would it be?” Go with the first answer, then look at the meanings above and see whether it fits how you’re feeling. Treat it as a reflection exercise rather than a test you can pass or fail.
What happens in an aura reading?
An aura reading with an intuitive or clairvoyant reader is usually relaxed and conversational. The reader will tune in to your energy, describe the colours or impressions they sense, and talk with you about what those might reflect: your strengths, what’s weighing on you, and where you might want to focus your energy. Many readers combine aura impressions with tarot, angel cards or energy work.
At Luv Clarity, our readers offer intuitive, tarot, love and energy readings by phone, SMS or email, with readings starting from £25 for 20 minutes. If you’re interested in the energy side specifically, you might also like our guides to energy cleansing and Reiki healing. A reading is a space to reflect and feel heard, not a prediction of the future or a substitute for professional advice.
How is an aura different from chakras?
People often use the two words together. Chakras, in traditions drawn from Indian yoga and tantra, are described as energy centres located along the body, each linked to a colour (red at the base through to violet at the crown). The aura is described as the energy field around the whole body. Many practitioners see them as connected, with the state of your chakras influencing the colours in your aura, but they’re distinct ideas. If you’d like to explore chakras and their colours, that’s a topic we’ll cover in a dedicated guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rarest aura colour? Within the aura tradition, white, gold and silver are often described as the least common colours and are associated with spiritual growth or wisdom. There’s no scientific measurement of aura colours, so “rare” reflects what practitioners report rather than hard data.
Is a dark or black aura bad? Most readers say no. Dark or grey shades are usually interpreted as tiredness, grief, stress or unresolved hurt, energy that feels heavy at the moment, rather than anything permanent or sinister. If you’re feeling low, please consider speaking to your GP or a support line such as the Samaritans on 116 123.
Can my aura colour change? Yes, according to the tradition. Most readers describe a baseline colour linked to your personality plus shifting colours that reflect mood, health and life events, so your aura is seen as a snapshot rather than a fixed label.
How can I get an aura reading? You can book a reading with an intuitive or clairvoyant reader who works with energy. Luv Clarity offers readings by phone, SMS or email from £25 for 20 minutes, and you’re welcome to ask your reader to focus on your energy and aura.
Curious what colour your energy is showing right now? A Luv Clarity reader can help. Explore our energy cleansing guide or connect with a reader today.
Aura readings, energy work and psychic readings are offered for reflection, insight and entertainment. They are not a substitute for medical, legal, financial or mental-health advice.
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