Is Happiness Connected to Colors?

Imagine the world around you in black and white, would you really like it? No, the colors add the vibrancy and visual effect to the surrounding. “No colors” would mean the world without emotions! Correct, our emotions are connected to colors and that is the reason why the festive colors are different from mourning colors. The colors make our interiors bright or dull, some colors also make food appear tasty or bland, and there are colors that would make you look happy or sad. Colors have emotional effect and they work a lot on our psychology. Below is the explanation!

Colors and Emotions

Colors may trigger or inhibit certain emotions. There are studies supporting the emotional effect of many colors. As per the study conducted on certain set of individuals, looking at the red color would increase heart beats and also make adrenaline rush to your body. This is the color signifying happiness. No wonder why Santa dresses up in red!

Each color has its own importance in psychological therapy extended to people. The colors are majorly categorized as warm and cool colors due to their effect on person’s psyche.

Warm Colors

Warm colors, as the name suggests would generate heat or at least make a person experience warmth. Most of the home designers would not advise for warm colors during summer. However, these colors can also be associated with the happiness index of the person. Warm colors like yellow and orange are associated with your appetite. These colors make you hungry and crave for more food. The happiness here flows through stomach. The warm colors usually have the hues of red or you can say that these colors are the colors you see in a fire. They symbolize aggression, energy, playfulness, and happiness. Use of these happy colors in your surroundings, clothing, and home decor would give you the energy to live a happy life.

Cool Colors

These are the shades of blue. They are used to have composed, calm, and peaceful surrounding. These colors would work as the stress busting formula. Add blue and hues of blue to your bedroom to have a peaceful sleep at night. Purple that is the combination of red and blue is also a cool color that encourages peace, creativity, and relieves tension. Having cool colors around you would regulate your breathing and lower your blood pressure. There is scientific evidence supporting the characteristics of cool colors. The cool color green focuses directly on your retina and hence removes stress. Add cool colors to the places where you need relaxation and see the magic.

Colors directly or indirectly control our emotions, which would result into happiness or sadness. Add more colors to your surroundings to have balanced emotions and unlimited happiness. 

7 Greatest Unsolved Mysteries of All Times!

Be it a lonesome train journey, a late-night pajama party or a crackling campfire, themes like ‘unsolved’, ‘unknown’, ‘mysteries’, ‘paranormal’ and ‘haunted’ can spark up conversations like none else! So here are 7 spine-tingling unsolved mysteries to share, scare and intrigue, during your next get-together.

The ‘Un-erasable’ Handprint

This is the story of a Francis Leavy, a Chicago-based fireman, way back on April 18, 1924. Known for his cheerfulness, Francis was unusually grumpy on that day. After cleaning a window, he told his co-workers that he had a premonition of dying the very same day. Soon, the fire alarm rang and the team had to rush to a building that was ablaze. True to his words, Francis lost his life at the fire site whilst savings others. But what’s bone-chilling is the fact that the other firemen discovered his hand-print on the window he was cleaning the next day. Despite using the harshest of chemicals, they were not able to erase the print at all. It was only in 1944 that a Newspaper Delivery Boy accidentally shattered the window and ended this creepy episode.

Haunted Woods

If you thought ‘haunted forests’ existed only in horror flicks and fiction novels, you should probably visit the Hoia Baciu in Transylvania, Romania. Visitors to the forest either end up with unexplainable burns and scars, or said to have gone ‘missing’ for hours, only to return back not remembering a single thing. Many native people and explorers who dared to visit, have even disappeared without a trace. Villagers who stay nearby are convinced that these are the workings of evil spirits, and never venture into these deep, dark and mysterious woods.

The Inexplicable Sleep Syndrome

Most of us are guilty of ‘over-indulging’ on sleep at times. But it’s one thing for a person to laze around occasionally, and completely different (and super-weird) for an entire village to ‘involuntarily drift off to sleep’ for several days at a stretch! We’re talking about the Kalachi Village of Kazakhstan, a mystery that has baffled scientists since 2014. Masses of people just fall asleep in broad daylight for no apparent reason, and wake up several days later. Attempts are being made to rehabilitate the residents elsewhere, to enable them to lead a normal life.

The Island that ‘disappeared’

We’ve heard of people, ships and aircrafts that disappeared. But a whole island just vanished into thin air? That’s exactly what happened with the Bermeja Island of Mexico. With the Oil-Discoveries in the 1970s, the island was of great economic significance to the country. Mexico had even signed an ‘economic zone’ treaty with the US, to lay claim to the oil reserves in the island’s periphery. Surprisingly after two decades, expeditions from both countries could never trace the island. Rumor had it that the CIA blew it up, but no staunch, rational explanation has come so far.

‘Past Life’ Trance

This true story (unexplained till date) is bound to give you goose-bumps! In 1904, 3-year old Dorothy Eady fell off the stairs at her London home. Declared dead on the spot, she suddenly came back to life, much to the joy of her parents. However 4 years later (during a visit to the British Museum), she had vivid glimpses of her past life as a priestess ‘Omm Sety’ in Ancient Egypt. Growing up, she married an Egyptian and settled in her ‘native country’. But the trance-like state recurred from time to time, and her husband was horrified to see her muttering and scribbling a random script. As a matter of fact, she guided archaeologists to the exact location of the Abydos Temple Garden, proving that she had not lost her marbles!

The Code That’s Never Been Cracked

Seldom has it happened that a historical treatise be lying around for centuries without any possible way to decipher it. The Voynich Manuscript (presently housed at the Yale University Manuscripts Library) has been recovered in a secret code that has never been cracked till date. In fact, this manuscript recovered from Northern Italy (carbon-dated back to the 15^th century) was unnamed. It was only in 1912 when Wilfrid Voynich, a Polish Book Dealer purchased it, that it was named after him. The language and code continues to stun cryptographers across the world.   

Miraculous Recovery

As the saying goes, ‘Faith can move mountains’. In this case, a family’s lost hopes for their son, Chucky Mcgivern were not just rekindled, but stunned all and sundry. Afflicted with Reye’s Syndrome, 7-year old Chucky who was admitted in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, went into a coma in 1982. His mother, a staunch Catholic, put up a medal with a picture of St John Newman (the 19^th Century Bishop of Philadelphia) on his bed. To their surprise, their son woke up from his come within a day. They also found the position of the medal changing automatically from time to time, and the presence of a stranger boy in the ward. When Chucky was fully healed, the family paid a ‘thank-you’ visit to the Saint’s Shrine, and also saw a picture of the Saint when he was 12. You guessed it right. It was the same ‘stranger boy’ in the ward!

Hilarious Facts About Kim Jong-un

Talk of dictators and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un takes the cake for the umpteen whacky stories surrounding him. The youngest son of Kim Jong-il (the erstwhile North Korean Dictator), Kim Jong-un is regarded as the most infamous and secretive man on earth. And ever since ‘The Interview’ hit the screens (and grossed over $50 million worldwide), ‘Kim Jong’ memes, jokes and stories have literally flooded the internet. Here’s a look at 10 hilarious, allegedly-true facts about him!

Cry Baby
When his father Kim Jong-il succumbed to a heart attack in December 2011, it was obvious that a State Funeral would be held with great pomp and splendor. But as Kim Jong-un took over as the next leader, he made it compulsory for citizens of the country to attend the ‘mourning events’. It was mandatory to cry, and those failed to cry were sent to inhuman labor camps!

Unlucky Uncle
Usually as a dictator, you spare some forethought before subjecting your own blood relatives to cruelty. While confinement and torture is common for North Korean citizens, Kim Jong-un had his own uncle (Jang Song Thaek) executed in the most brutal manner. For ‘alleged treason’, he was stripped absolutely bare and then thrown into a cage filled with hungry canines. It’s also rumored that he had his aunt poisoned thereafter.

So Cheesy
The North Korean Supreme Leader is addicted to Swiss Emmental Cheese. While he spends over $500 million on ‘luxury imports’ like Emmental Cheese, Scotch Whisky and Designer Dogs every year, the common citizen has to live in hunger and poverty. About 500,000 to 800,000 people die in famines every year under the totalitarian regime. More than half of the interior towns and villages have no access to electricity. In the meanwhile, Kim Jong-un’s waistline seems to be bursting!

Under the Knife
It’s a common practice to go under the knife for looking younger or prettier a.k.a plastic surgery. But when Kim Jong-un underwent plastic surgery at around the age of 27, he had other plans in mind. He did so because he wanted to look older and resemble his grandfather! Nevertheless in 2012, one of the most popular farcical newspapers ‘the Onion’, declared him as the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’!

Hair Mania
It’s a known fact that the North Korean Fascist sports the weirdest hair cut that does very little justice to his super-chubby face. But what’s hilarious is the fact that he’s afraid of barbers, so he cuts his hair himself! Also, he recently named his signature haircut as ‘the ambition’ and ordered the students of North Korea University to copy his hairstyle!

Flunked Big Time
Unlike most other members of his family, Kim Jong-un had the privilege of studying at a private school in Switzerland. Of course, he was introduced to his class as ‘Pak Un’, the son of a North Korean Diplomat. Despite being given such a golden opportunity, he was barely interested in studies and flunked most subjects. The only area that he was interested in was basketball. So the military head of a powerful army (with the largest Paramilitary Organization on earth) flunked big time, and has no formal military training whatsoever!

Ugly Break-Up
Break-ups are always hard, and nothing makes you more uncomfortable than crossing paths with an ex. Unfortunately Hyon Song-wol didn’t realize that it would cost her life. A North Korean Orchestra Singer, she met Kim Jong-un about a decade before he became leader, and love blossomed. Unfortunately, ‘Daddy Dearest’ Kim Jong-il disapproved of the romance, and they broke up. In 2013, she was picked up along with the other members of the Orchestra, charged with ‘pornographic violation’ and subjected to a firing squad!

Revolutionary Activities
Let’s observe one minute silence for North Korean students. After being forced to learn that the late Kim Jong-il was a ‘Superhuman’ who did not defecate, and had a miraculous birth atop the holy mountains, it is now mandatory to memorize a new manual. The manual titled ‘Kim Jong-un’s Revolutionary Activities’ claims that he learnt to drive at the young age of 3, is an accomplished artist, musician and yacht-race winner!

The Benevolent Inventor
After banning all ‘American Fast Foods’ like Burgers and Pizzas, Kim Jong-un has been benevolent enough to ‘invent’ a special ‘double meat sandwich’ (which is nothing but a burger). He is said to have allowed this special sandwich to be sold in the country as a benevolent thinker who cares for young students.

Punishment through Generations
Despite his Western Education, he sticks to the North Korean fascist punishment regime. This means that if you are convicted of a crime, not only do you face punishment but your children and grandchildren (up to 3 generations) will be equally punished. And the cherry on the cake- travelling out of North Korea is banned for the commoner!

Stunning Discoveries Under the Sea

There are immeasurable mysteries hidden in the depths of the oceans beyond one’s imagination. The unique conditions of the sea water preserves these things which otherwise might have deteriorated in no time. Oceans and seas carry secrets from time unknown waiting for us to make some incredible discoveries. Some of the unbelievable discoveries from under the sea are:
 

1. Lost Kingdom Of Cleopatra

The ancient city of Thonis-Heracleion, commonly known as the lost kingdom of Cleopatra formed the gateway to Egypt. The city today is submerged near Alexandria in Egypt’s Aboukir Bay. The reason behind its sinking is still a mystery and has been buried in the water for over 1,200 years with many of its artefacts fully intact till date.

Some of the amazingly well preserved artefacts found by the divers are giant statues of pharaohs, the main temple of Amun-Gerb, numerous small statues of gods and goddesses including that of Isis, 64 ancient ships, plethora of sarchophagi, weights made of stone and bronze, gold coins, 700 anchors, stone blocks with Ancient Egyptians and Greek inscriptions, foundations of the palace, a sphinx, and red granite columns. 

2. Lost Continent Of Mu

In 1987, scuba diving instructor Kihachiro Aratake while exploring good underwater diving sites came across an underwater construction 20 feet below the water surface. The construct looked like a huge amphitheatre with heavy blocks and steps of stone. 250 foot base of the construct lies some 100 feet below the ocean’s surface with rising to a height of 80 ft.

The monument though comprises from medium to quite fine mudstones and sandstones of the Lower Miocene Yaeyama Group is believed to be deposited some 20 million years ago. The monument however is under debate to be completely natural, a modified natural site or a manmade artefact. Some researchers believe that these ruins can be a part of the mythological lost continent of Mu.
 

3. Madagascar’s Giant Bones

Underwater graves of prehistoric animals found in Madagascar comprise fossils of giant animals. Among these fossils were the remnants of lemur an extinct species weighing around 15 times of its present day relatives. Three sunken caves which are located at the Tsimanampetsotsa National Park have yielded huge number of bones with thousand years of Madagascar history. One of these caves was so full of bones that each time the divers searched it they found new bones with the most vital of them being the Archaeoindris. The Archaeoindris is a type of lemur that was the size of a gorilla.
 

4. Underwater Rivers

It is hard to believe, but rivers under water actually exist. One of the many secrets of the oceans is its underwater rivers like the one at the Black Sea’s bottom. This river has trees, leaves and even waterfalls and is around 350 times bigger than the River Thames and about 10 times bigger than the Rhine, Europe’s biggest river. If this river had been on land, it could be world’s sixth largest river in terms of the quantity of water flowing in it.

The discovery of this river can prove to be a great tool in revealing how living organisms survive in the depth of the oceans far away from the nutrient-rich waters close to the land. This underwater river is at places 115 feet deep with the waterfalls quite equivalent to the terrestrial ones.
 

5. Earliest Inhabitants

On exploring a sinkhole near Florida’s Aucilla River the divers made incredible discoveries like the evidence of a human occupation that dated 1,000 years ago than it was previously assumed. The same sinkhole was searched a number of times from 1983 to 1997 without much success.

However, from 2012 to 2014, it gave some remarkable artefacts like bone, stone tools, and a bi-face that is a kind of primitive human knife.  All these findings go to about 14,550 years back around 1000 years prior to even the Clovis people who were the earliest inhabitants of North America.
 

Ocean beds are clamped with secrets and treasures of ruins. It is astonishing to know that the oceans cover 71% of the earth with 97% of the planet’s water where 95% of the underwater world is yet to be explored.

8 Astounding Facts About Sparta

Though there’s no direct proof of Sparta’s valor, they were considered one of the finest warrior species that ever existed on the earth. Spartans were popular for having the finest military strength in ancient Greece and they were also the world’s first democratic society.

It wasn’t easy to be a Spartan but surprisingly women enjoyed as much freedom as men. All in all, they were an interesting civilization. Let’ see you know more about Sparta!

1. Who were Spartans?

Sparta was one of the biggest rivals of Athens in ancient Greece. It was a city-state and the capital of district Laconia. In fact the word “laconic” was derived from Spartan language and it means terse. Also, the word “Spartan” means simple, prudent, sober and self-restrained.

2. Every Spartan was owned by the ‘state’

Sparta was very religious with their military training. As a result, high born Spartans were trained to become warriors since the age of seven. For a Spartan, anything they do was supposed to be for the welfare of the state.

3. The complex political system

Though Sparta was ruled by two kings at a time, its constitution was more than ‘dynarchy’. It sometimes followed three political systems: monarchy, democracy and oligarchy. Oligarchy is a kind of government ruled by a small group of elite people.

Sparta was jointly ruled by two brothers. One of the two remained in the state while other spent time in the warzone. Each king used to keep a check on the other. A Sparta council was responsible for legislative power and it usually consisted of 30 citizens. 28 of them were elders who were above the age of 60 and two were kings.

4. It wasn’t easy to become a Spartan even for an infant

Sparta made sure that all the warriors were of absolute physic. For this, the elders of the city-state used to inspect newborn infants, who were bathed in wine instead of water.

Those who passed this strange inspection were chosen by the constitution to become warriors. The weak or unhealthy ones were left in the nearby gulf named Mount Taygetus to die. These survived infants were often cared with “tough love”, highly ignored when they cried and forced to face the darkness and solitude.

5. The training

Spartans started their vigorous training at the age of seven. They were nearly starved to increase their hunger capacity. This was done to encourage them to live on meager ration and steal food.

After reaching the adolescent age, the boys who demonstrated the highest leadership potency were sent to the Crypteia. It was a secret police force responsible for terrorizing the Helot (slave) population and keeping them in order.

6. The Brutality

Not only were the Spartans brutal in battle but the kings were equally brutal. Nabis, a Spartan king had constructed an iron maiden, a torture device that was an exact replica of his wife. This device had finger nails that were used to pierce into the body of those who did not fulfill the demands of the king.

An infamous incidence called “Thirty Tyrants” was another example of Sparta’s brutality. After conquering Athens, Spartans imposed “Thirty Tyrants” and executed nearly 1500 Athenians by poison.

7. Punishments

 Even the punishments of Sparta were equally famous. As once noted, if any Spartan lost his weapon in the war, he would not give up and continue to fight by tearing enemy’s face using his teeth and fingernails.

Also, if the teenager trainee would not be successful in stealing his food during the training period, he would be punished for his poor skills.

Another brutal punishment or “practice” to be exact was “contest of endurance” in which the teenage boys were beaten (sometimes to death) in front of an altar.

8. The classification

Though Spartan were not allowed to choose any occupation other than joining the military, there was a small group named ‘Spartiates’ who were the elite Spartan society and they were bestowed with all the political and legal rights in the Sparta.

Sparta was mainly occupied by Spartans, Perioeci, and Helots. Perioeci were skilled laborers and craftsmen. They were free non-citizens of Sparta who were allowed to communicate with Sparta and lived in the surrounding areas of Laconia.

Helots were the lower class or slaves in Sparta who consisted majority of Sparta and were left to do activities involved in farming and food production only.

12 Shocking Truths About Flights Revealed By Flight Staff

Air travel is surely one of the best and most convenient ways to travel. Not only does it enable you to reach your destination faster than any other means of transport but also lets you travel in luxury and class. No matter how frequently you travel by air and how familiar you are with the way things work, there are many secrets which the pilot and flight staff don’t want you to know. Behind all the shiny exteriors and proper appearances there are several things which might make you look at air travel in a whole new light.  Some flight staff and crew members came forward to reveal a few of the truths about flights and they are no less than shocking. The following is a list of the 12 shocking truths about flights revealed by flight staff.

1.Old Headphones

The first shocking truth about flight travel is that the headphones that you are provided are not necessarily new, even if they are packed in plastic wrappers. What happens is that the old ones are collected, cleaned and then wrapped back to hand over to the next set of passengers. It is very rare that new ones are distributed each time to the passengers.

2.Sleeping Pilots

Another thing that might come as a shock is that most pilots tend to sleep mid-flight. While it is true that co-pilots are present in all flights but still the thought of having your flight in the hands of a sleeping pilot is scary.

3.Oxygen Masks

Did you know that the oxygen masks provided in-flights provide you only with about 15 minutes of oxygen supply? Well it may sound scary but thankfully, those 15 minutes are enough for the pilot to descend the aircraft till the oxygen levels inside it are restored back to normal.

4.Dimming Of Lights

Have you ever wondered why the lights inside an aircraft are dimmer when landing as compared to the rest of the time? Well, it might come as a shock but this is done so that in case of an emergency evacuation, your eyes can adjust to the darkness and you can find your way outside the plane.

5.Flight Food

It may come as a shock that pilots are not given the same food as the passengers and they are not even allowed to share their food. This is done because in case there is a problem of food poisoning, the pilot is not affected by it like the passengers and so that he/she can land the aircraft safely to rescue the affected passengers.

6.Flying Pets

While it may seem convenient to fly your pets from one place to another in aircrafts, in reality, they are exposed to a lot of loud noise out there on the ramp. The loud noise is usually unbearable for humans and hence also for pets but flight staff would never tell you this honestly.

7.Turning Your Electronics Off

While all flights and crew members may tell you to switch your electronics including your phone off, they may themselves use their mobile phones after making the announcement. Moreover, turning phones is almost useless since doing so cannot avoid bringing a plane down. However, the interference of cell phones can be disturbing for the pilots.

8.The Powerful Pilot

Another surprising truth about flights is that the pilot has a lot of power and authority inside an aircraft after the gates have been closed. Not only can he arrest people but can also ask for fines and also take the will of a dying passenger.

9.Avoid Drinking Water

Avoid drinking any water or water based beverage that isn’t packaged inside an aircraft since you just cannot trust it. The water may not necessarily be clean and can lead to infections etc. The water used may not be filtered and may contain germs.

10.Lock Mechanism For Lavatories

Another shocking or rather surprising thing about air travel is that there is a way to unlock doors of toilets from the outside. This can be done as there is a concealed lock mechanism behind the no smoking badge on the door.

11.Landing Truth

It is not always necessary that a rough landing is due to the fault of the pilot. This could be due to presence of water, dew etc on the runway. What happens is that the pilot has to touch down hard on the runway so as to puncture the layer of water and prevent aqua planning.

12.Tipping Flight Attendants Helps

While it is true that most people don’t tip flight attendants but tipping could actually help. Some flight attendants may give you the next drink for free if you tip them when they come with the first one.

7 Most Expensive Things In The World

We have all been there, imagining what we would buy if we were a billionaire or had a factory full of gold coins. Even if we wouldn’t be able to make that much of money, it doesn’t hurt to be dreaming, right?

Without much ado, here some of the most expensive things in the world which should definitely be on your bucket list.

Le Burger Extravagant

This burger which is only available at Serendipity in New York costs $295. It is made of Wagyu beef and infused with 10-herb mixture of white truffle butter. When it’s plated, it’s topped with shaved black truffles, cheddar cheese caviar, white truffle butter roll crème and a fried quail egg.

But it’s not the ingredients that make this burger so expensive, it is the solid gold toothpick encrusted with diamonds that make it so expensive. This toothpick is designed by Euphoria New York.

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO

Ferrari built only 39 of these cars between 1962 and 1964; each of them was priced at one million. But over time, the love for these racers increased and as the 250 GTO turned vintage, it seemed like people were ready to pay any price for this amazing car.

When Bonham’s put this on sale at their gallery, the car was bought at a staggering $38 million. And when Bonham’s placed another one of these on auctions, it was bought for $52 million. Not that we can complain, that car is a beauty.

Susse Freres Daguerreotype Camera

One of the first commercially manufactured cameras in the world, Susse Freres Daguerreotype camera dates back to 1839. It was said that only ten of these survived, but nobody had heard anything about it until 2007 when it turned up in Germany.

This camera which was originally owned by Max Sedding between 1877 and 1963 was put on auction in Vienna by WestLicht and as expected, it sold for $775,000. This is the highest price paid for any camera in the world.

Royal Penthouse Suite, Hotel President Wilson in Geneva

This room in Hotel President Wilson costs $80,000. Covering the entire eighth floor of the hotel, the room has 10 luxurious bed rooms and 7 bathrooms, along with a Jacuzzi, a gym and a terrace that has a gorgeous view. The services for this room include a security team, a butler and a personal chef.

But you are not just paying for the service and the luxury here. Staying in this room means at least for a day, you will be staying in the same bed as Michael Jackson, Rihanna and Bill Gates.

PrestigeHD Supreme Rose Edition

This television will make the TV in your home look like a 1960s model. It is not very big in size, neither does it have amazing technology, but it’s the accessories that it has on it which makes this TV worth $2.25 million.

Meant for the people who are all about the bling and glamour, the PrestigeHD Supreme Rose Edition has alligator skin on it along with precious stones, gold and diamonds.

Heintzman Crystal

This piano which was recently sold for $3.22 million was made in Beijing by Canadian Piano manufacturer Heintzman. This piece was made for public events, keeping in mind the large scale requirements of big concerts.

It was first used by Chinese pianist Lang Lang in the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics 2008 where he performed in front of billions.

Heidsieck Monopole Diamant Bleu 1907

This 100-year old champagne has a great story behind it. Coming straight from the Champagne region of France, 2,000 bottles of Diamant Bleu were sent to the Tsar Nicholas II of Russia in 1916 through a Swedish freighter. But the ship never made it to its destination because it was torpedoed by a German submarine, since this was during the World War I.

But as fate would have it, most of the bottles survived, and were buried deep in the sea. These bottles were then found and now they are some of the costliest champagnes in the world, costing $25,000 per bottle.

What is that one thing you would want to buy if you were a billionaire?