The Many Faces of Green
Published On: 04-02-2012 05:58pm
Comments: 7 - Hits: 759
Category: History of Color
Green is a favorite color of many people because of being the predominant terrestrial color of Nature. It is considered by many to be the most restful color (green being a favorite color choice for bedrooms). But the color green wears many faces, both in its numerous beautiful shades (please visit my recent collection, also called "The Many Faces of Green" featuring creations from the Checked In Today guild)) and its interesting historical context. I found the history and symbolism of green to be fascinating and decided to share some of what I found:
"Daisy Bloom", a nature inspired pocket journal handmade by Rose of walkinthewoodsllc.
The word "green" is linguistically related to the Old English verb "growan" which means "to grow" or "to turn green". The first recorded use of the word as a color term in Old English dates to around AD 700. Across most cultures, the color is commonly associated with nature, fertility, growth and healing. A person with a "green thumb" is good at making plants flourish and "green rooms" are where performers relax before going onstage. However, the color green has another face, and can be used to refer to envy, illness and even death. If you are "green around the gills", you look sickly. Jealousy is often called the "green eyed monster".
Scented with peppermint and spearmint, the fizzy bath bombs are handmade by Michelle of sudzygoat.
Because ancient man lived hand in hand with the natural world, the color green has much symbolism and lore associated with it. Green was the color of resurrection and immortality in ancient Egypt. Osiris, the god of the underworld and vegetation, was one of the first "green men" because he was depicted as having green skin. The floors of many Egyptian temples were often painted green to represent the grass which grew along the life-giving Nile River. Lining many temples bases were carvings of papyrus, lotus and other plants. In ancient Greece, green was an important symbol of victory. In China, green was associated with the east because of the rising sun and, with it the return of the sun, life and growth. In Thailand, dark green was considered lucky for those born during the day on a Wednesday. If you were born on Wednesday night, your lucky color was light green. Scottish Highlanders wore green as a mark of high honor. Up until the 20th century, green was the traditional color for European hunters to wear, especially the shade called, appropriately enough, "hunters green". Now most hunters wear olive drab or camouflage.
"Telltale Heart" mood bead earrings handmade by Lee of StregaJewellry.
Green has great religious symbolism, as well. Roman Catholic and some Protestant clergy wear green vestments in the season after the Epiphany and after Pentecost to represent rebirth and life. Clergy of the Easter Catholic Church wear green on Palm Sunday and during Pentecost as symbol of resurrection. Because it was said to be Mohammed's favorite color, green is a sacred color to Muslims. Mohammed is said to prefer to wear a green cloak and turban and his writings constantly refer to the color. A passage from the Quran describes paradise as a place where people "will wear green garments of fine silk." In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the green heart chakra represents the point of balance between deep earth (prime creation, foundation) and elevated reality (spiritual and metaphysical creativity). Green symbolizes the master healer and life force.
These awareness ( bipolar disorder, cerebral palsy, kidney disease and cancer, organ transplant and donation, etc.) earrings were handmade with green Swarovski crystals by Mary of PrettyGonzo.
In early English folklore, green could also signify witchcraft and devilry. It was often associated with faeries and evil spirits, especially those that snatched babies and young children. Even today, with the exception of St. Patrick's Day, the wearin' o' the green can be considered unlucky in Ireand. Green is supposed to be the favorite color of the Little People and if you wore too much of it, you could offend them and they could cause havoc by drying up your cows, ruining your crops, etc. Green cars, wedding dresses(!) and theater costumes are all objects of intense superstition.
Handmade lime green floral hip purse by Aviva of SieberDesigns.
If you look at the flags of the world, many use green in the designs for symbolic or cultural reasons. Green is one of the three colors, along with red and black, of Pan-Africanism and represents the natural richness of the continent. Many African countries use green in their flags, including South Africa, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Benin and others. Many flags of the Islamic world are green due the sacredness of the color. Jamaica uses the color to represent the country's lush vegetation. The green in the flags of Wales, Hungary and Brazil represents "jolliness and youth". Often referred to as the "Emerald Isle", Ireland adopted its tricolor flag in 1919: green represents the Gaelic tradition of the country; orange represents the followers of William of Orange in Ireland; and, white represents the peace, or truce, between the two.
A handmade green and gold flower and leaf polymer clay pendant by Kenzie of StrangeWhimsy.
Chosen for its association with nature, health and growth, today green has become the symbolic color of environmentalism. The political Green Party emphasizes ecology, grassroots democracy, nonviolence and social justice. Green Parties are active in over 100 countries. A heightened public awareness and concern about the environment has sparked a "go green" movement.
Shell pendant necklace with sage green glass pearls by TheBeadedHound. A portion of each handmade purchase from TheBeadedHound is donated to the American Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue.
I could have written MUCH more with what I found about the fabulous color green, but maybe since you've had a taste of what I found, you'll read a little more on your own. The beautiful green creations above are from my recent collection, "The Many Faces of Green". Here are more green creations from the collection all of which come from Checked In Today guild members:
Handmade ceramic buttons with a celadon green glaze over a darker green underglaze by Sally of CrystalBazaar.
Military green agates and Bali silver were used int his handmade necklace and earrings set by Aya of AyaDesigns.
Candied lime savors, bergamot and other scents were used in these "lemon poppyseed cake" handmade soy votives by Donna of Mylingy.
Green crystal and bronze filigree handmade earrings by 41StarsStudio.
Glowing green agates and copper handmade bracelet by Catherine of ShadowDogDesigns.
I hope you enjoyed "The Many Faces of Green". I certainly would enjoy a comment if you would like to leave one :)
My contact information:
Artfire studio: ShadowDogDesigns
Supadupa shop: Shadow Dog Designs
Blog: ShadowDogDesigns' Blog
Facebook: Shadow Dog Designs - Jewelry
Twitter: ShadowDogDesign
Flickr: Shadow Dog Designs' Photostream
Pinterest: Shadow Dog Designs
Wanelo: ShadowDog
Reader's Comments
By PrettyGonzo on 04/03/2012 @ 09:37am
What a fascinating, in-depth article! So well written and informative! Thanks for sharing, and many thanks for including my awareness earrings here with so many wonderful green lovelies. I'm honored. Time to tweet! And thanks again. :)
By ShadowDogDesigns on 04/02/2012 @ 09:25pm
Thank you, Aviva! Appreciate you stopping by and commenting :) Peace and joy to you . . . Catherine
By SieberDesigns on 04/02/2012 @ 08:13pm
I am now logged in :-) gorgeous blog post! thank you for including my hip purse!By Guest on 04/02/2012 @ 08:13pm
Such great information! Thanks so much for all of the research and work that went into this. Truly amazing... By ShadowDogDesigns on 04/02/2012 @ 08:08pm
Thank you so much, Rose, for the kind words! HAD to include your mini journal :) peace and joy . . . Catherine
By walkinthewoodsllc on 04/02/2012 @ 08:06pm
What a great post ~ and beautiful, too! Thanks a bunch for including my mini journal, I truly appreciate it. |
By ShadowDogDesigns on 04/03/2012 @ 08:23pm
Am so glad you enjoyed the post, Mary! It took quite a while to write, but I found the whole history/symbolism of green very fascinating. Am trying to decide what color to do next :) Peace and joy to you and yours . . . Catherine