posted December 11, 2003 05:03 PM         

Black is formal, conventional, and dignified. In ancient Egypt, it symbolised night, death, and magic; it was the opposite of green, the colour of life.

White is precise, critical, and sincere. In Egypt, it symbolised purity, femininity, and the Moon, contrasting with the masculine red.

Red is active, daring, passionate, and optimistic. It enhances alertness and encourages activity. Goethe held red to be the most intense colour, the furthest from both black and white, and it is noteworthy that those languages which only have words for three basic colours always select black, white, and red. In Egypt, red symbolised masculinity, life, and warmth, but also danger. It was the opposite of the feminine white: this can be seen in Egyptian art, where the women are white and the men brown (which was considered a shade of red). Pink is milder and more affectionate than red, feminine rather than masculine; it is good for comfort and healing.

Orange is more ambitious and self-sufficient than red, and lacks its warmth; it has the intelligence of yellow without its loftiness. It is used therapeutically to bring joy and heal grief.

Yellow is intellectual and communicative. It is used to produce detachment and reduce depression. Goethe observed that yellow was the most positive of colours, the opposite of blue, and the closest to pure light. In Egypt, it symbolised the Sun.

Green is healing, sympathetic, steadfast, and restrained. In the environment, it reduces stress and movement. Goethe observed that green is soothing because it balances the positive yellow and the negative blue. In Egypt, green symbolised life, growth, and rebirth; it was opposed to black, the colour of death.

Cyan (or turquoise) combines the effects of green and blue. It is charming but self-absorbed; it enhances self-confidence, calms and refreshes.

Blue is idealistic, rational, honest, and tranquil. Goethe observed blue to be the most negative colour, the closest colour to black. Many languages do not distinguish between blue and green: in Egypt, light blue was considered green and dark blue, black. Light blue is more spiritual, dark blue more sociable.

Purple (or violet) is grand, idealistic, and sensitive, but may lack self-criticism and maturity. Goethe considered this to be a disturbing colour, balanced uncertainly between the positive red and the negative blue. In most languages, violet is called blue: "roses are red, violets are blue". Lavender is lighter and more feminine, conveying dignity and encouraging reflection.

Magenta (or crimson) is less aggressive and more spiritual than red, more practical than purple. It is optimistic, volatile, and affectionate, producing feelings of contentment and self-respect.

Brown is the warm neutral colour; many languages identify it with red. It is practical, earthy, obstinate, and conscientious.

Grey is the cold neutral colour; many languages identify it with blue or green. It is calming, but may convey uncertainty and lack of commitment; silver is nobler and more spiritual.

juniperb

posted December 13, 2003 01:38 PM         

I found this interesting..

quote:

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it is noteworthy that those languages which only have words for three basic colours always select black, white, and red

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posted April 17, 2006 11:10 PM         

Giovanni Arnolfini and His Bride

by Jan Van Eyck , 1434

The bride in this Renaissance masterpiece wears green as a symbol of her fertility. She is slouching in imitation of pregnancy, thus indicating her willingness to bear children.
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The evolution of the symbolism of green in Western culture:

In Celtic myths the Green man was the God of fertility.

Later in the millennium, Early Christians banned green because it had been used in pagan ceremonies.

Nevertheless, as evidenced by this 15th Century wedding portrait, the color green was the best choice for the bride's gown because of its earliest symbolism.

Of note is the continued symbolism attached to the color in the latter part of this century. Anyone who chooses a green m & m (an American candy which contains an assortment of different colored chocolate sweets) is sending a somewhat similar message. Green has been reinterpreted by late 20th century American culture to signify a state of heightened sexuality in this specific situation.

Other bride colors:

White would be an inappropriate color for a wedding in China. It is the color of mourning. If a bride chooses a white wedding gown, her parents would probably not allow her to get married.

In India, even in Christian weddings, while most brides wear white, it is usually relieved by at least a touch of some other color. If a married woman wears unrelieved white in India, she is inviting widowhood and unhappiness

Other cultural references for green:

Green was a sacred color to the Egyptians representing the hope and joy of Spring.
Green is a sacred color to Moslems.
Japanese Emperor Hirohito's birthday is celebrated as "Green Day" because he loved to garden.

Green trivia:

It is said that green is the most restful color for the human eye.
Green has great healing power. It can soothe pain.
People who work in green environments have fewer stomach aches.
Green is beneficial around teething infants.
Suicides dropped 34% when London's Blackfriar Bridge was painted green.

Universal symbolism:
Nature, freshness

posted April 18, 2006 09:21 AM         

White is precise, critical, and sincere. In Egypt, it symbolised purity, femininity, and the Moon, contrasting with the masculine red.

Magenta (or crimson) is less aggressive and more spiritual than red, more practical than purple. It is optimistic, volatile, and affectionate, producing feelings of contentment and self-respect.

For surroundings

Green is healing, sympathetic, steadfast, and restrained. In the environment, it reduces stress and movement. Goethe observed that green is soothing because it balances the positive yellow and the negative blue. In Egypt, green symbolised life, growth, and rebirth; it was opposed to black, the colour of death.

Red is active, daring, passionate, and optimistic. It enhances alertness and encourages activity. Goethe held red to be the most intense colour, the furthest from both black and white, and it is noteworthy that those languages which only have words for three basic colours always select black, white, and red. In Egypt, red symbolised masculinity, life, and warmth, but also danger. It was the opposite of the feminine white: this can be seen in Egyptian art, where the women are white and the men brown (which was considered a shade of red). Pink is milder and more affectionate than red, feminine rather than masculine; it is good for comfort and healing.

Blue is idealistic, rational, honest, and tranquil. Goethe observed blue to be the most negative colour, the closest colour to black. Many languages do not distinguish between blue and green: in Egypt, light blue was considered green and dark blue, black. Light blue is more spiritual, dark blue more sociable.

Brown is the warm neutral colour; many languages identify it with red. It is practical, earthy, obstinate, and conscientious.