Definition of complementary colour

The term "complementary colors" derives from the concept of color theory, which seeks to explain how human eyes perceive and interpret different hues. Complementary colors refer to pairs of hues that, when placed adjacent to one another, produce a visually striking contrast. Many color theorists believe that complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel, which arranges all colors in a circular order based on their relative positions in the visible spectrum. If one includes the red, yellow, green, and blue (known as the primary colors) in the color wheel, the complementary colors will be located directly opposite the primary colors of red (purple), yellow (blue-green), green (magenta), and blue (yellow-green). The phenomenon that explains why complementary colors create such a sharp contrast is the way our eyes interpret them. When we look at one color, the brain tells us that this color is present because it reflects a specific range of wavelengths of light. However, if the color opposite it on the color wheel is also present, the complementary color absorbs any wavelengths that will complete the incomplete range that the first color does not reflect. This means that the presence of a complementary color leads to the appearance of the missing wavelengths in the contrasting color, producing the distinctive vibrancy and energy known as complementary colors. These colors, when used appropriately, can create a visually compelling and harmonious effect in a variety of contexts, from graphic design to interior decorating to fashion.