Color Names & Meaning - How did colors get their names?Learning Objectives
Color Plants & AnimalsSaffron Yellow - orange Crocus flower stamens, used to flavor and tint rice in many Indian and Mediterranean foods. Considered the most important color in Hinduism, with significance in Buddhism as the color worn by monks of Theravada tradition. Chosen as one of three colors for the flag of India for their independence in 1947.
Cochineal Red - derived from a parasitic scale, Dactylopius coccus, insect infestation on the Opuntia, Prickley Pear, cactus native to Mexico. When crushed, this tiny creature emits a red dye used in lipstick. Cadmium Red, Orange, and Yellow are made from the mineral Cadmium. What are the basic color names?RYB - Red Yellow Blue, used by artists in mixing paint.
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Color Meanings
Did you grow up in one country and then move to another? If you did, you may have experienced cultural color meanings that are different than you are used to.
For example: Gold represents wealth in most cultures; however, too much of it could be interpreted as vulgar or in bad taste. In the United States, red means danger - fire engines and stop signs. Black is for mourning and for serious business clothing. White is the color for wedding brides. In Japan, white is the color for grief and mourning., although also associated with purity and truth. Grey is expressed as 'nezumi' meaning mouse, and can be described as purplish, greenish, light or dark. Blue symbolizes luck and university students wear blue suits for job interviews. Red is the most powerful of colors in Indian culture, explained in the article What Colors Mean in Other Cultures, Huffington Post. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/smartertravel/what-colors-mean-in-other_b_9078674.html Colors have Positive and Negative Qualities
Color researcher, Faber Birren, in his 1962 book, Color in Your World, reviews mood associations with colors used in his book. Although these associations change with fashion trends each year, this list shows the accepted associations in 1960's United States. [1]
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Regional Color NamesTribes, clans, communities, and sports teams are examples of groups who create identity and promote loyalty with color and design. In Scotland, a kilt and the plaid associated with a family name identify your clan. In the highlands of the South American Andes colorful embroidery signify family ties and history.
Blue Green or Green Blue?The name of a color gets tricky when two colors are needed to describe the color. Generally, the color listed last is the strongest color, with the color preceding it is the influencing color. Blue Green is more Green than Blue. Green Blue is more Blue than Green.
"Terms such as "apple green", "leaf green", "cerise", "mauve" and "scarlet" mean one thing to one person and something else to another. Thus, some standardized color-nomenclature system is essential to learn the color differences that determine desirability and relative value." [2] Cochineal
Footnotes
Photo Credits
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