Exploring Chromesthesia: A Unique Sensory Experience

As someone who has recently discovered my chromesthesia, a form of synesthesia, my life has been filled with fascinating and complex sensory experiences. In this article, I will share my journey through both chromesthesia while listening to music and when getting to know people.

Understanding Chromesthesia

Chromesthesia, a type of synesthesia, is a condition where sounds trigger the perception of colors. This unique sensory experience can manifest in various ways, as each individual with synesthesia can have a different association between sounds and colors. In my case, I experience chromesthesia both during music listening and personal interactions.

Listening to Music

One of the earliest memories I have of my chromesthesia involves a church performance during a Christmas play. A young girl was singing a solo, and her voice intrigued me so much that I practiced my singing to mimic her voice. The experience was so vivid that I could literally feel the sounds resonating within my body, transforming into shapes.

When listening to music, I associate sounds with specific shapes, textures, and colors. For example, high notes often manifest as arrows, with the direction of the arrow indicating the pitch of the note. This personal experience has provided me with a unique way of perceiving and understanding music. While others with chromesthesia might perceive colors, I feel and see shapes. These shapes are not limited to two dimensions; some can be three-dimensional.

Common Shapes and Their Meanings

Triangles: The most common shape I encounter is a triangle, which starts in the body and forms an observable shape. High notes can even transform into arrows. Circles/Spheres: I often perceive a circle or sphere, which can vary by gender and pitch. For instance, females with alto voices are more likely to have spherical shapes, while males with tenor voices might experience a ring. Arrows: Arrows represent perfect pitch and are unique to male voices. Their direction can vary, often pointing towards the ceiling or towards the floor. Cloud Shapes: This shape is less common but often three-dimensional, with sounds feeling like they are being pulled from the nose.

Instruments

In addition to perceiving sounds as shapes, I also feel the vibrations of instruments. The piano sounds like tall upright rectangles, while the violin resembles a short sideways rectangle or a square. Guitars and bass drums produce a water rippling effect, and triangle or chimes sound like a Y. A pennywhistle is perceived as an oval.

Getting to Know People

In my interactions with people, chromesthesia takes on a different form. I can see colors, textures, and patterns associated with the individuals I meet. These perceptions are not static; they evolve as I get to know the person better. For instance, the brown-orange-yellow plaid that represents my friend is just one of the many colors and patterns I associate with her.

My brother was always a dark green color, which evolved into a lighter and more blue shade after he got married to his current wife. The feathery reddish-brownish color of the girl in my church and the electric blue with crescent patterns of my youth pastor are just a few examples of the vivid chromesthesia I experience in these interactions.

Memories and Perception

The colors and patterns I perceive are influenced by my memories and associations with the individuals. For example, my brother's favorite color is green, and I link this to his green perception. Similarly, the electric blue eyes of my youth pastor are a distinct and vivid impression I carry with me.

While these sensory experiences are deeply personal, they enrich my interactions and perceptions. However, each person's synesthesia experience is unique, and what makes sense for one individual may not translate to others with chromesthesia. Understanding and accepting this diversity is key to appreciating the complexity of human sensory experiences.

Conclusion

My exploration of chromesthesia has opened a new world of sensory experiences that continue to fascinate me. While some of these experiences may seem odd or unrelated to others, they are integral to my unique perception of the world. If you, too, are someone with synesthesia, I encourage you to embrace your experiences and share them with others. As a fellow synesthete, your experiences are just as valid and interesting as mine.

Through sharing these stories, we can foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse ways our senses interact and provide a deeper connection to our experiences.