What is green? An explanation of the origin, history, and color schemes of traditional Chinese colors.

What does "绿" mean? Origin and etymology

The color "绿 (green)" is a vibrant color that faithfully captures the natural colors of plants and young leaves. Its etymology is said to be a combination of "糸" (thread), representing silk thread, and "彔" (skin), depicting the peeling of bamboo, telling the story of ancient practices in which green dye was obtained from plants.

In the Five Elements philosophy, "green" (绿), along with "blue" (青), possesses the attribute of "wood," symbolizing the east in direction and spring in season. As a color that signals the end of winter and the arrival of spring when all things sprout, it strongly carries positive connotations such as hope, regeneration, and youth.

The historical background of green

In Chinese history, color sometimes played a role in indicating social status. In the Zhou dynasty system, "primary colors" such as red and yellow were considered noble colors, while "green" was positioned as an intermediate color. Therefore, during the Tang dynasty, there was a period when green official robes were designated to be worn by officials of relatively lower rank.

However, as time went on, the cultural value of "green" increased. Particularly from the Song dynasty onward, as a culture of appreciating nature and finding spiritual fulfillment within it matured among literati, green, an important element in the landscape of mountains and rivers, came to be widely expressed in the world of art and poetry. In the lives of ordinary people, it was also widely used in clothing and utensils as a color that symbolized wishes for abundance and peace, adding color to people's lives.

Green in Chinese art and crafts

In the world of Chinese art, the color "green" (水) takes on a variety of expressions. In the field of ceramics, the vibrant green glaze seen in Tang Dynasty sancai ware and the deep, serene green of Longquan celadon, which reached its peak during the Song Dynasty, are particularly famous. In particular, the "blue" in celadon often refers to a hue close to what we would call green today, and its mystical color has captivated many people.

In painting, "green" was an indispensable color in landscape paintings depicting magnificent nature. In a style known as "blue-green landscape," mineral pigments such as azurite and malachite were used to vividly portray nature as an ideal paradise. In clothing culture, it was favored as a color symbolizing the freshness of young women and was also incorporated into spring attire such as Hanfu.

Harukazemata Midori River south bank

Color scheme preview

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Green color scheme proposal

Practical Scenes

Incorporating the color "green" into your interior design brings a sense of tranquility and freshness to your space. It's recommended to use it in accent walls, cushions, curtains, and other fabrics. It also harmonizes beautifully with the green of houseplants, creating a natural and relaxing atmosphere.

In fashion, using it as an accent color in an outfit can add freshness and sophistication to your look. It pairs particularly well with basic colors such as white, beige, and gray, making it an ideal color for expressing the feeling of spring and summer.

In web design and graphics, these colors are effective for conveying themes such as nature, health, the environment, and refreshment. Because they are easy on the eyes, they are less tiring to use even during prolonged viewing, making them suitable for corporate websites that want to convey a sense of security and trustworthiness.

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