Our language is liberally seasoned with metaphors, idioms and phrases all revolving around our obsession with the color of money and luck.
We are taught that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but the green green grass of home is a good thing.
You can turn green with envy when the green eyed monster rears it’s ugly head.
Dr. Seuss pointed out that despite Sam I Am’s obsession with Green eggs and ham, that it’s probably not going to be a hot seller on the menu at IHOP or Waffle House anytime soon.
We wax poetic about the green green grass of home and how green the valley and play on fields of green while wearing green for luck.
We don’t know for sure, but it’s entirely possible that the GreenEyed Lady of Sugarloaf song fame…”Green eyed lady, ocean lady…Soothing every wave that comes” might have been Green around the gills if she was prone to seasickness by that ocean.
You can be a greenhorn, have a green thumb, or wait in the green room if you are a celebrity. You can get a green light to proceed in life or traffic. We love to have plenty of greenbacks in our pocket, especially in this economy.
According to Celtic myths, the Green Man was the God of Fertility.
Green has long been considered a metaphor and symbol for fertility and this was evident in the fifteenth (15th) century as Green was the preferred color for wedding attire.
The symbolism attached to the color Green continues to this day even though it has now taken on more modern meanings.
For instance, did you know that green M&M’s have long been the subject of myth as they are considered, by some, to have magical aphrodisiac powers? As to whether or not this is true is, of course, subject to interpretation, but I for one, always save the green M&M’s to eat last, just for luck. Apparently others must do the same thing because in 1996, a commercial was released that asked “Is it true what they say about green ones?” Hey, can’t hurt to try and M&M’s are MUCH cheaper than oysters or that famed little blue pill (not to mention a lot less slimy!).
Perhaps that why Kermit was always lamenting that “It ain’t easy being green” and explains why Ms. Piggy was always in hot pursuit of his cute little green tooshie. He is, after all, the very essence and symbol of fertility and the perfect aphrodisiac personified in amphibian form. I ask you, how could a mere female pig be expected to resist that??
Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye than most colors, and is second only to blue as a favorite color. Green is the pervasive color in the natural world, making it an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it everywhere.
A few fun facts all surrounding the color green that you might not know…
Interesting information about green:
Green was the favorite color of George Washington, the first President of the United States.
The color green signifies mystical or magical properties in the stories of King Arthur.
Green is one color that means “low” or “guarded” in the color-coded threat system established by presidential order in March 2002. This system quickly informs law enforcement agencies when intelligence indicates a change in the terrorist threat facing the United States.
Green is the color used for night-vision goggles because the human eye is most sensitive to and able to discern the most shades of that color.
Bright green is the color of the astrological sign “Cancer.”
Green ribbons have been used by a range of environmental groups to symbolize organ donation and transplant, awareness of Bipolar Disorder, solidarity with Chechnya, and support of farmers in America.
NASCAR racers have shared a bias against the color green for decades. Reportedly, it began after a 1920 accident in Beverly Hills, California, that killed defending Indianapolis 500 champion Gaston Chevrolet. It was the first known racing accident in the United States to kill two drivers, and Chevrolet reportedly was driving a green car. Tim Richmond once refused to drive a car sponsored by Folger’s decaffeinated coffee because the primary color was green. He wound up in the Folger’s regular coffee car - and its red scheme. But the fear of green cars is fading, primarily because sponsors are willing to pay $15 million to splash their colors on a race car. Green is now the primary color of cars driven by Mayfield, Marlin, and J.J. Yeley.
Green in athletics and sports:
The green belt in Judo symbolizes green trees. Just as a green tree is the tallest living thing, so should our own pursuit of knowledge be, aiming high and keeping the goal of our achievement (top of the trees) in high esteem.
Green as a Signature Color:
Kermit the Frog
Companies or brands identified primarily with green:
BP
Heineken
Starbucks
The Masters Golf Tournament
Rolling Rock
Garnier Fructis
John Deere
What it says about you when you buy a green vehicle…
The message you send by driving a vehicle that is Dark Green: Traditional, trustworthy, well-balanced.
If, however, your vehicle is a Bright Yellow-Green, you give a different impression: Trendy, whimsical, lively.
The color green is said to affect us physically as well in these ways:
Relaxes mentally, as well as physically
Helps alleviate depression, nervousness, and anxiety
Offers a sense of renewal, self-control, and harmony
Green is the color of the Heart Chakra, also known as Anahata.
This chakra is located at the center of the chest area and is linked to the heart, lungs, circulatory system, cardiac plexus, and the complete chest area.
The Heart Chakra bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual worlds. Opening the Heart Chakra allows a person to love more, empathize, and feel compassion.
Gemstones that will aid the Heart Chakra include jade and malachite.
And finally, just so we don’t leave anyone out…
Green around the globe:
In several religions, green is the color associated with resurrection and regeneration.
In Ghardaia and other parts of M’zab, houses painted in green indicate that the inhabitants have made a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Green, blue-green, and blue are sacred colors in Iran, where they symbolize paradise.
As the emblematic color of Ireland, green represents the vast green hillsides, as well as Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick.
In Japan, green is regarded as the color of eternal life.
In Aztec culture, green was considered to be royal because it was the color of the quetzal plumes used by the Aztec chieftains.
The solid green flag of Libya is currently the only national flag of a single color.
In China, jade stones represent virtue and beauty.
In Portugal, green is the color of hope because of its associations with spring.
In the highlands of Scotland, people used to wear green as a mark of honor.
There is a superstition that sewing with green thread on the eve of a fashion show brings bad luck to the design house.
Personally given the whole aphrodisiac thingy, I’m thinking we should all dye ourselves green for the day. Hey, if it works for Kermit, who are we to argue with success?? *wink*
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!
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