From Love to Self-Reflection: The Symbolism of Glasses in Shaping Perception

When we are in love, we look through “rose-colored glasses.” The view of the chosen one is benevolent, not to say far from reality.

The darker our view turns when we think about ourselves and judge our own lives, bodies, achievements. Not everyone knows this gray veil in the same density; some have more, some less self-doubt. How hard someone is in judgment with himself certainly depends on each person’s character, and it is known that it is different.

Find out how different glasses, such as rose-colored glasses and sunglasses, can symbolize our ability to change perspectives and color our perception. Explore the transformative journey of maturing and the power of self-reflection.

The Influence of Different Perspectives

The profound impact of our perspectives on how we perceive ourselves and the world around us. The metaphorical significance of wearing different glasses, such as rose-colored glasses and sunglasses, as a representation of our capacity to change our outlook. Gain insights into the transformative journey of maturing and the role of self-reflection in shaping our perceptions.

The rose-colored glasses of lovers are only one of many examples, based on which literally or symbolically, the wearing of such glasses signifies that we humans can change our perspective and color our perception. If we feel tired and depressed, we cover our eyes with oversized, jet-black lenses of sunglasses. If we want to emphasize our extravagance, we reach for glamorous, unusual frames.

Rose-Colored Glasses: Love, Perception, and Reality

Uncover the enchanting allure of rose-colored glasses in the context of love. Delve into how these lenses tint our view, making the chosen one appear more benevolent, albeit distant from reality. Explore the parallels between the perspective of a person in love and that of a loving and critical daughter.

I think that the process of maturing enables everyone to see themselves with different eyes, from a perspective that opens up more and more. Just as we have outgrown our children’s clothes, we also grow out of our narrowness of vision. As adolescents, we may still perceive ourselves as too “uncool,” too shy, too naïve, too weak; as time passes, our view becomes more evident that these categories are in the eye of the beholder. The more aware we become of ourselves, the more we sharpen our childlike vision by correcting our sense of sight.  But I do not mean to say that aging alone and without our intervention grants us the “rose-colored glasses.”

Sunglasses: Symbolizing Perspective and Perception

Discover the multifaceted symbolism behind sunglasses and their influence on our perception. Explore how oversized, jet-black lenses shield tiredness and depression, while glamorous frames emphasize extravagance. Learn how iconic figures like Peggy Guggenheim and Lagerfeld used sunglasses to create a barrier between themselves and others, keeping their thoughts and feelings hidden.

So is it so far-fetched to state that we – just as we wear sunglasses when the sun is shining and reading glasses due to visual impairment – look through different glasses depending on where and on whom we are looking?

Behind the glass that protectively covers the eyes, one remains a silent observer of one’s surroundings. One’s own thoughts and feelings remain hidden from the gaze of others.  Here, too, is my personal view, which makes them and their existence something special. My perspective of a loving and critical daughter possibly resembles that of a person in love.

Maturing and Changing Perspectives

Embark on a journey of maturing and self-discovery that enables us to see ourselves with fresh eyes. Explore how the process of growing up expands our narrowness of vision and challenges self-perceptions. Understand how our evolving self-awareness sharpens our childlike vision and corrects our sense of sight.

Enamored with Ourselves: Embracing Positive Self-Perception

Challenge the notion of self-perception by encouraging self-enamoration. See the idea of viewing ourselves with the same admiration we reserve for friends, partners, and even strangers. Emphasize the significance of changing perspectives, whether from above or below, and the transformative power it holds.

All these recurring, essential questions cloud our view again and again. And I think that’s a good thing; it’s a corrective of the human consciousness to question itself. To put on the sunglasses with eyesight, because through them you look forward and see what you want to work on, where there are parts that need to be mended or healed.

But shouldn’t we reach for the other kind of glasses more often? To the model that envelops everything in soft, gentle light, blurring reality with our fantasies. When we look at ourselves, we should sometimes be just as enamored as we are when we look at our friends, our partners, or perhaps even strangers. Sharpening or clouding, looking down from above or up from below, changing perspective is essential. Maybe then it’s not just our children who will eventually hold old photos in their hands and think “cool,” but ourselves.

Shaping Perspectives for the Future

Contemplate the potential for personal growth and transformation as we navigate life through various lenses. Encourage a shift in perspectives that allows us to cherish ourselves as much as others do. Envision a future where we hold old photos of ourselves, thinking “cool,” as a testament to our self-love and evolving outlook on life.


Kath Kolumna shares her thoughts and insights about dating in the big city of Berlin, the confusions of a late 20’s woman’s sex life, and never-ending discussions with friends and strangers about relationships.

Header artwork by Cara Brock