Colour may generate another level of meaning in the mind. This symbolism arises from cultural and contemporary contexts. As such, it is not universal and may be unrelated to its natural associations. For example, green’s associations with nature communicate growth, fruitfulness, freshness and ecology. On the other hand, green may also be symbolic of good luck, seasickness, money and greed — all of which have nothing to do with green plants. These associations arise from a complex assortment of sources.
Furthermore, colour may have both positive and negative symbolism. For example, although blue is the beautiful colour of the sky on a sunny day, it can be symbolic of sadness or stability. Idiomatic American English reflects these traits in phrases such as “singing the blues” and “blue chip stocks.” Red is another example of dual symbolism. On one hand, as the colour of fire and blood, it is an energizing, aggressive and bold colour. In direct contrast, red is used for “STOP” signs throughout the world today. Psychological or Cultural Associations
Although there are no absolutes, there are logical sources for the range of complex and sometimes contradictory psychological/cultural meanings of colours. These may arise from any of the following:
1. Cultural associations: the colour of currency, traditions, celebrations, geography, etc. (For example, green is associated with heaven (Muslims) and luck (U.S. and Ireland)
2. Political and historical associations: the color of flags, political parties, royalty, etc. (For example, green is the colour of Libya's flag; it’s the favorite colour of Emperor Hirohito and the source of "Green Day" in Japan, and in the U.S., the Green Party.)
3. Religious and mythical associations: the colors associated with spiritual or magical beliefs (For example, the green man was the God of fertility in Celtic myths, a symbolism that carries over into today’s associations of Green M&M candies with sexuality in the U.S. Also, in contemporary Western culture, green is associated with extraterrestrial beings.)
4. Linguistic associations: colour terminology within individual languages (For example, South Pacific languages refer to shades of green by comparison to plants in various stages of growth. In Scottish Gaelic the word for blue ('gorm') is also the word used for the color of grass.)
5. Contemporary usage and fads: current colour applications to objects, sports, and associations generated by modern conventions and trends. (For example, green is used world wide for traffic lights signifying "go." In Scandinavia, green has been a popular colour for many decades. In the U.S., “avocado green” was a popular colour for appliances in the 1960s. Today, lime green has been a hip and trendy colour in fashion and advertising in the US since the late 1990s.)
Furthermore, colour may have both positive and negative symbolism. For example, although blue is the beautiful colour of the sky on a sunny day, it can be symbolic of sadness or stability. Idiomatic American English reflects these traits in phrases such as “singing the blues” and “blue chip stocks.” Red is another example of dual symbolism. On one hand, as the colour of fire and blood, it is an energizing, aggressive and bold colour. In direct contrast, red is used for “STOP” signs throughout the world today. Psychological or Cultural Associations
Although there are no absolutes, there are logical sources for the range of complex and sometimes contradictory psychological/cultural meanings of colours. These may arise from any of the following:
1. Cultural associations: the colour of currency, traditions, celebrations, geography, etc. (For example, green is associated with heaven (Muslims) and luck (U.S. and Ireland)
2. Political and historical associations: the color of flags, political parties, royalty, etc. (For example, green is the colour of Libya's flag; it’s the favorite colour of Emperor Hirohito and the source of "Green Day" in Japan, and in the U.S., the Green Party.)
3. Religious and mythical associations: the colors associated with spiritual or magical beliefs (For example, the green man was the God of fertility in Celtic myths, a symbolism that carries over into today’s associations of Green M&M candies with sexuality in the U.S. Also, in contemporary Western culture, green is associated with extraterrestrial beings.)
4. Linguistic associations: colour terminology within individual languages (For example, South Pacific languages refer to shades of green by comparison to plants in various stages of growth. In Scottish Gaelic the word for blue ('gorm') is also the word used for the color of grass.)
5. Contemporary usage and fads: current colour applications to objects, sports, and associations generated by modern conventions and trends. (For example, green is used world wide for traffic lights signifying "go." In Scandinavia, green has been a popular colour for many decades. In the U.S., “avocado green” was a popular colour for appliances in the 1960s. Today, lime green has been a hip and trendy colour in fashion and advertising in the US since the late 1990s.)
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