The Colour Wheel Theory of Love is based on different types of love, with colours on a colour wheel to show how different love styles are combined. The purpose of this theory is to find common patterns in types of love and their foundation. A few kinds of love relationships are passionate; some are playful, steady, and sometimes a love relationship is a mixture of all these styles.
Passionate love, playful love, and companionate love are three basic love styles that constitute a basis, and there are three secondary love styles resulting from the mixing of these three styles together.
Origin Of Colour Wheel Theory of Love:
The colour wheel theory of love was originated by Canadian psychologist John Alan Lee through his 1973 book, The Colours of Love. He suggested that romantic relationships can be categorised into six distinct love styles. His idea included 3 primary love styles and 3 secondary love styles, and all 6 labeled as classical Greek terminology.
What Is Colour Wheel Theory Of Love?
In simple words, the Colour Wheel Theory of Love is a way of understanding romantic relationships by comparing them to colours on a colour wheel. Just like primary colours can be mixed to create new shades, this theory suggests that different ‘types’ of love can mix to create various relationship styles. Now, let’s take a look at the 6 love styles according to colour wheel theory.
What Are 6 Love Styles According To Colour Wheel Theory?
Six love styles that form the Colour Wheel Theory of Love are described metaphorically in terms of a colour wheel (Eros, Ludus, Storge, Mania, Pragma, Agape), which is easily applicable to Gen Z as they appreciate authenticity, playfulness, practicality, mental health concerns, and collectivism.
Types of Primary Love Styles:
1. Eros:
Eros relationship is referred to as a relationship that is romantic, passionate and centred around physical love. Those who fall in love this way crave emotional and physical connection.
Eros relationship (Image Credit: Canva)
2. Ludus:
Ludus relationship is playful and casual love. Dating is seen as a thrilling adventure where commitment is not the key aspect.
Ludus relationship (Image Credit: Canva)
3. Storge:
Storge is a gradual love relationship based on friendship. Trust and familiarity are the most important aspects of such relationships.
Storge relationship (Image Credit: Canva)
Eros, Ludus, and Storge are three primary types of love forms, which, when mixed and matched, make the other 3 secondary forms of love:
Types of Secondary Love Styles:
4. Mania:
Mania is a crazy and dramatic love. It is characterised by emotional extremes, including highs and lows, obsession and even jealousy.
Mania relationship (Image Credit: Canva)
5. Pragma:
Pragma is a practical and realistic love relationship. Partners evaluate each other according to certain criteria and choose those who are the best match.
Pragma relationship (Image Credit: Canva)
6. Agape:
Agape is a selfless and altruistic love. These love relationships are based on care and giving without any selfish motives.
Agape relationship (Image Credit: Canva)
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How Are Gen Zs Resonating With Colour Wheel Theory Of Love?
Gen Z, born between the late 90s and the early 2010s, have a different approach towards love, and that is the reason that makes them resonate with this colour wheel theory of love.
- - Gen Z value their experiences and emotional honesty; that is why the passion element of Eros is attractive for them.
- - The majority of Gen Z members have been exposed to dating applications and social media sites where it is common to date casually, and this is an example of Ludus.
- - Friendship-based dating is also quite common in Gen Z. The young generation wants to feel safe, do things together and spend much time talking with each other, which is a characteristic of Storge.
- - Gen Z understand the importance of mental well-being, and this makes them more conscious of mania love style, which is all about co-dependency and obsession.
- - The majority of Gen Z have a practical attitude towards life and are pragmatic when it comes to their future goals (work, money, family); that is why pragma love style is familiar in modern relationship dynamics.
- - It is quite common for the young generation to value empathy, activism and community caring, which are some of the major characteristics of Agape love styles because of their selfless and generous nature.
Just like blending colours, it is common for love styles to be interplayed in real-life situations. For instance, couples may begin their relationship as a Ludus couple, and may later on develop into Eros and finally end up being Storge in their relationship.
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Understanding each of these six love styles, you would know more about the depth of your relationship. This basic understanding of love relationships also helps couples recognise what they want from their relationship and not. So what are you looking for in your love relationship - is it the fun phase, pursuing passionate love, friendship, possessiveness, or something else?