The Arts

LITERARY COLOUR SWATCHES III

In this article, we’ll discuss secondary colours and their meaning and role in literature. Let's begin by describing what secondary colours are. Secondary colours are the colours or hues created by mixing or by bringing together two primary colours. The traditional primary colours are red, yellow and blue. When we mix these basic primary colours in groups of two and equal amounts they produce the following pigments:

  • Orange
  • Green
  • Purple
Yellow + Red = Orange 
Red + Blue = Purple
Blue + Yellow = Green

Orange 

It is a sweet blend of red and yellow colour. Orange is an energetic colour commonly associated with outdoor objects and subjects. A playful shade, an invitation to the comfort of autumn and radiating calmness. It’s a unique colour representing fire, fearlessness, and freedom, there’s much to love about this shade.


Positive impact: spontaneity, creativity, warmth

Negative impact: exhibitionism, superficial, impatient, domination

Meaning in the West:

  • Creativity
  • autumn
  • vibrant
  • happy
  • joy
  • warm
  • social
  • enthusiastic
  • caution
  • attention

 

Meaning in Ireland:

  • Protestants

 

The common meaning of the colour:

  • Energy
  • balance
  • warmth
  • enthusiasm
  • vibrant
  • expansive
  • flamboyant
  • demanding of attention


Purple 

Purple is the colour of superiority. It is the result of a combination of blue and red hues. Purple is an intimidating colour full of power and beautiful darkness. Authority and powerful figures adore this bold hue because it embodies strength, prestige, and ability. From kings and lords to emperors and superiors, anyone in power is fond of purple.


Positive impact: compassion, fantasy, wisdom, creativity

Negative impact: sensitive, vigilant, immature, emotional

Meaning in the West:

  • Royalty
  • noble
  • majestic
  • inspirational
  • sovereignty
  • justice
  • wise
  • just
  • kind
  • caring
  • mysterious
  • sacrifice
  • spiritual
  • visionary
  • Creative



Meaning in Thailand:

  • Mourning



The common meaning of the colour:

  • Royalty
  • noblesse
  • spirituality
  • ceremony
  • mysterious
  • wisdom
  • enlightenment
  • cruelty
  • Honour
  • arrogance
  • mourning
  • temperance

 

Green 

Green, the harmonious colour is created by mixing the shades yellow and blue. It represents prosperity, positivity and reminds us of the freshness of life and nature.  The colour green embodies rich foliage, lush greenery, and vast landscapes. Green is commonly associated with the mother earth and is the colour of the earth. It brings calming and ubiquitous emotions. Offering relaxation, green soothes with its gentle and peaceful undertones. Green squelches chaos, making it a force to be reckoned with.


Positive impact: generosity, hope, prosperity, luck

Negative impact: judgmental, envy, materialism, inexperience, greed

Meaning in the West:

  • Spring
  • new
  • hope
  • happiness
  • joy
  • birth
  • fertile
  • abundant
  • generous
  • life
  • eternal
  • loyal
  • balance
  • harmony
  • Peace
  • nature
  • jealousy
  • envy
  • sick
  • ill
  • inexperience
  • youthful
  • novice
  • humble
  • go
  • environmentally friendly 



Meaning in China:

  • Green hat indicates a man's wife is cheating on him
  • Exorcism



The common meaning of the colour:

  • Nature
  • environment
  • healthy
  • good luck
  • renewal
  • youth
  • vigour
  • spring
  • generosity
  • fertility
  • jealousy 
  • inexperience
  • envy
  • misfortune

About the author

Syed Sufia Ali is a passionate English literature and language enthusiast. She loves to read, learn and write about various topics, languages, and life. Any views expressed are personal.

Comments

Write for Us

Recommended by Gurushala

Life & Well Being

-By Syed Sufia Ali

Confidence

Classroom Learning

-By Syed Sufia Ali

Acronyms

Classroom Learning

-By Syed Sufia Ali

BIRTHDAY

Life & Well Being

-By Syed Sufia Ali

Time Management

Related Articles

The Arts

-By Kumud Pathak

पापा ! मेरे प्यारे पापा

The Arts

-By Kumud Pathak

साहित्य -संस्कृति -समाज

The Arts

-By Kumud Pathak

महिला दिवस

The Arts

-By गौरव त्रिपाठी 'पथिक'

तू शक्ति है