What does the color green mean? Its symbology and associated emotions

Let's look at a garden, a park full of green or a forest in broad daylight, in spring. The green of the leaves of the trees, of the grass, of the moss and the lichens... It is something that has always inspired us and that we link with life. And it is that the green color has almost always been present in the world of the human being, being one of the most common colors in the natural environment and that has accompanied us the most in our evolution.

This fact has caused that throughout history it has acquired a series of connotations and symbolisms, to the point that this color has come to acquire a symbolism and provoke a series of answers. This is mainly due to the psychological meaning that we have given to this color and its symbolism. It is about this meaning of the color green that we are going to talk in this article.

• Related article: "Color psychology: meaning and curiosities of colors"

Green as a color

Although we generally speak of green and other colors as something palpable, which is there and is part of the nature of objects, it It is true that color is nothing more than the perception of the refraction and absorption of light by these, being therefore a product of our perception,

In the case of green, we see this color when our eyes capture wavelengths between 496 and 570 nm. Between these wavelengths we perceive different shades of this color, there being different types of green. Along with red and blue, green is a color for which our eyes have a specific type of cone.

Although biologically and also according to the model of additive color synthesis, green is one of the primary colors, being the secondary yellow and product of the mixture of green with red, traditionally the subtractive synthesis model has been followed in which considers that this color was secondary and a product of the mixture of blue and yellow (that is why most children have been taught this way).

What does the color green mean?

As with the rest of colors, green has its own symbolism acquired through its association with elements of the same color and based on this it has also generated a psychological meaning that is studied by the psychology of the colour. Specifically, it is related to nature and vegetation, from which multiple symbolisms are extracted.

In this sense, green usually has in the human psyche a series of wildly positive connotations. In the first place it is linked to birth, life, strength and energy. It is a color deeply associated with spring and linked to fertility and growth, something that makes it something related to the idea of ​​youth. In this sense it is also a symbol of innocence. Another element related to its link with growth is economic: it is a symbol of wealth.

The color associated with nature is also associated with healing and healing, with freshness. Also, as tradition says, green it is also the color of hope, optimism and good luck. Also with naturalness, the pursuit of pleasure and vigor. Finally, it is one of the colors most linked to the idea of ​​balance, serenity and calm, as well as to the spiritual.

Nature, generally symbolized by green, is seen as beautiful and full of life. But it also has its dark side: it is also full of death, blood, persecution and cruelty. And in this sense, the symbolism of green also incorporates these negative elements. Among them, the association with poison and toxicity stands out, probably derived from the coloration of many plants and animals (for example snakes and frogs) and the use of green dyes made of copper that turned out to be poisonous. It is also related to, and is probably its best known negative association, with envy..

Death, horror and manipulation are concepts linked to this color, especially in the darkest tones and when it is associated with black. The same goes for betrayal, including concepts like infidelity. Light green too is associated with immaturity and naivety, as counterparts to the aforementioned link with youth, and the excess of the pursuit of pleasure. Also to vanity and both strength / authority and weakness. Socially, it has also been identified as the color of the bourgeoisie.

Psychologically speaking, this color has been associated with characteristics such as calm and affection, as well as with moral demand, hedonism and joviality. An association with the sociable and balanced is usually observed.

On the other hand, adaptability (in extreme cases indecision and conformity) and inner peace are linked. However, it is also associated with possessiveness, resentful rumination and the aforementioned envy. Also to cunning, which in a negative sense can also be linked to manipulation. The color green too usually generates calm and relief, allowing reassurance which in turn improves emotional stability and favors the use of reason and logic. It is also often linked to optimism and vitality, improving energy levels and motivation and helping to maintain hope. It is also linked to a sensitive and open-minded personality.

• You may be interested: "What does the color red mean in psychology?"

How is it used in society?

The properties and symbolisms of green make it an ideal color for certain practical uses. Its links with nature and recovery make it suitable for environments in which a search for balance and comfort is required, as well as for healing and recovery of the state of mind.

Related to healing, among the meanings of green is also the increase in defenses and preservation of motivation. It is also useful in meditation. In addition, its association and relaxing effect has generated that the clothes of doctors and surgeons are greenish in color.

Its link with tolerance and flexibility means that it can be used in painting rooms. where you want harmony to exist and anxiety and stress levels are lowered, both at home and in Offices. In marketing and advertising, it has been seen that green favors action, and also is associated both with recycling and respect for the environment as well as the idea of ​​freedom and stability. That is why it is used in the design of a large number of products. In the case of food products it is used due to the link between natural and healthy.

Cultural variations

In addition to the previously mentioned associations, the color green has received different considerations in different cultures or even through different histories.

In most of Europe green is a symbol of good luck, energy, rebirth and nature. It is associated with Christmas and in countries like Ireland with the Catholic religion. It was considered the color of the bourgeoisie, due to the difficulty to achieve said pigment. In the old days, however, evil was often represented with this color. It is also often linked to envy and jealousy, as well as weakness.

For Muslims, green is a sacred color, associated with the Prophet Muhammad. It is also also a symbol of strength, luck and prestige. In China and the rest of the East it implies hope and fertility, as well as virtue and good intentions. Jade was traditionally used to make gifts and offerings). However, it has also been associated with shame and infidelity at times.

The life-death duality linked to nature and the color green has been observed by multiple cultures and societies. For instance in ancient Egypt the god Osiris had skin of this color, being a deity linked to the judgment of souls and rebirth. For the pre-Columbian peoples it symbolized immortality, fertility and power and they used jade in the realization of funerary masks. In some South American countries where the jungle is abundant, however, green is much more associated with death.