Exploring meaning of the colour green
Image: Green is the colour of life, symbolising nature and the natural world
All About Glorious Green – The Colour of Nature
This article explores the meaning, symbolism and stories behind the colour green.
Green as wedding finery
Going back in history, green was the preferred colour for wedding gowns in the 15th century (who knew?!), perhaps as the colour is also said to represent fertility. White only became the preferred colour for wedding dresses during the Victorian era.
Green assists concentration
Interestingly, there has also been research conducted that has found that the colour green can help with reading speed and comprehension as well as concentration.
Green as the colour of calm and balance
Considered a calming colour perhaps due to its association with nature, green is thought to help heal and relieve stress. It’s considered the colour of balance and is said to restore a sense of wellbeing. I know that when I’m able to escape to nature I certainly can feel my equilibrium steadily being restored and calmness returning within.
Research backs this feeling up. Research conducted by the University of Melbourne found that the concentration of office workers was improved by glancing out a window at a “green roof” (such as a roof covered in shrubbery) for 40 seconds. The reason why? The authors asserted that the green provided a “restorative” effect the enabled the study participants to regain their mental resources required to concentrate on their tasks.
The dark side of green
Green isn’t entirely associated with calm and serenity. In some countries, especially throughout the 18th and early 19th century, green was actually considered to be an unlucky colour, perhaps even alluding to death. Research I conducted found that this may in part be attributed the the work by Swedish chemist, Carl Scheele, who in 1778 decided to experiment with a pretty green substance known as arsenic*.
Anyway, Scheele used the arsenic to invent various shades of green, including one he called Scheele’s Green (so modest). It was so popular, this colour was subsequently used widely in fabrics and wallpapers. Unfortunately when the fabric or paper would become moist they’d start to leech arsenic. Worse, if the substance got wet, it would actually release poisonous gas. The end result?
Poisoning. Perhaps death. (If you’re interested in reading more about Scheele’s green, this article by Katy Kelleher goes into greater detail about the effects of the poison…)
Luckily times have changed - arsenic was finally removed from circulation in the production of wallpapers and fabrics by the early 1900s. You can safely wear your favourite green jumper without wondering…
[*If you’re anything like me you’re thinking to yourself “Arsenic? I wonder… What could possibly go wrong?!” (eye roll…)]
Green, the colour of money
I wish I had a great story to tell you here, but green is associated with money (particularly in the United States) for a practical reason: when the US government began issuing cash in 1861, they needed to use an ink that didn’t fade easily and was challenging to counterfeit. Guess which colour stood up to the test? The green-black ink. Over time, the colour steadily became associated with money.
The colour green is associated with the heart chakra
Green and spirituality
For those who are interested in metaphysics and the spiritual side of colours, green is associated with the heart chakra. Thought of as the balance point of the seven Chakras, the heart Chakra is located in the centre of the breastbone (sternum).
This chakra is concerned with love and relationships. It also is considered to be the energy centre for an individual’s person happiness as well as feelings of compassion. If you’re interested, this article on Well + Good explains more about chakras in general (including the green chakra).
Summary
I hope that you found this article on the colour green to be useful. Abundantly ranging from the palest mint to, emerald, to the darkest hunter, there’s no doubt that the colour green has a diverse and eclectic meanings for people on many levels. This ranges from historical and cultural significance to emotional, physical and spiritual effects.
About Kirstie Page
Kirstie Page is an Australian mixed media artist, classically trained musician and former dementia trainer. Kirstie creates colourful, uplifting artworks that incorporate her understanding of science and dementia to provide comfort and joy to people and create beautiful, uplifting spaces.