green
The colour green comes from pigments wich could be found and extracted from numerous objects or methods. For instance in ancient Greece, the Greeks introduced one of the first artificial pigments, by creating the technique resulting in ‘Verdigris’, (also known as the ‘green of Greece’). To achieve Verdigris, the Greeks would treat copper sheets with acetic acid (e.g. wine), which were then left to soak and ferment. The accumulated powder is the green pigment which was then scraped off. From this history we now now that copper creates pigment. The Egyptians created green pigment by crushing a stone called Malachite. As a result this created a fine chalk like powder. This method of extracting green pigment was also seen to be used by the Chinese during the 9th and 20th Century.
Malachite
SOCIAL The colour green is also used to describe a young person who is inexperienced or naive. This is due to the colour association of green with immature or unripe fruit. It is also commonly associated with envy and jealousy, a trait/sin referred to as ‘the green-eyed monster’. this term is now widely used in todays society and was originally coined by William Shakespeare.
CULTURAL •A colour can have many different meanings and interpretations depending on the context or culture •In many different cultures green is commonly recognised as a colour of growth and wellbeing due to its reference to nature. •In the Mexican culture green refers to the fertility and abundance of the land and resources. •Green represents balance, growth, and abundance. It can also signify youthfulness. •Green is considered to be the holy colour of Islam In North Africa Green symbolizes corruption. In England green has heroic meanings and is connected to the stories of Robin Hood.
PSYCHOLOGICAL Green is most commonly associated as being the colour of nature and the environment In many ways, green can symbolise growth, harmony, freshness and fertility. Psychologically the colour green is proven to be the most restful colour for the human eye. This is due to its relaxing and calming qualties. The many different shades of green also have different psychological meanings, for instance, Olive green is the traditional color of peace. Green is a soothing, relaxing, and youthful colour that affects us physically and mentally. It is widely recognised as being an emotionally positive colour.
SYMBOLISM The colour green is a symbol for many different things. It is most commony known as a symbol of peace. In Celtic myths, the ‘green man’ was the god of eternity, yet later in the millennium, early Christians banned green due to the fact it had been used in Pagan ceremonies. In our modern society, green symbolises the idea of recycling and green eco living. In Ireland green is a symbol of goodluck.
ORGANIC Green is the color of nature, fertility, life. Green contains the powerful energies of nature, growth, desire to expand or increase. Change and transformation in our natural environment is necessary for growth, and so this ability to sustain changes is also a part of the energy of the colour green.
NATURAL WORLD
&
Occurrences of colors in nature are universal and timeless. The following is a list of green stones that are found in the natural world: Emerald, Malachite , Aventurine, Jade, Peridot, Epidote, Seraphinite, Grossularite etc.
MAN MADE In the U.S., “avocado green” was a popular color for appliances in the 1960s. Today, lime green has been a hip and trendy color in fashion and advertising in the US since the late 1990s.) Green is widely used across the world to symbolise “go” for traffic lights. Alot of countries currencies often have green money. The tie to money has led dark green to also connect to greed, envy and ambition. Green is one of the most natural, and neutral, colors you can use in a (man made) design project. Other well-known man made associations with green include national militaries (many of the uniforms are green).