Chinese tradition regards five colors as associated with five natural elements. These are water, fire, wood, metal and earth. Black represents water, while red is associated with fire and blue-green with wood. White is associated with metal, and finally, yellow represents earth. Ancient Chinese believed that everything, including the colors, came from these five natural elements. They chose their clothing, furnishings, dwellings and even their food according to the five elements as reflected in the changing seasons, which were also related to the five colors.
Red for Good Luck
Red is considered to be a particularly auspicious color. It features prominently in New Year celebrations to bring good luck and happiness in the new year. New Year gifts are wrapped in red paper and red decorations are used. Red is also an important color for weddings. Brides wear red wedding dresses to ward off bad luck and to ensure happiness to the newly married couple. It is related to the element of fire and is the color of strong positive energy.
Yellow
Yellow is the color not only of earth but also of royalty. During the Ming dynasty, the emperors lived in red houses with yellow roofs. Everyone else lived in blue houses with blue roofs. Temples and holy places in China have been traditionally decorated with the color yellow. In Buddhism, yellow represents the soul and spirituality.
Black and White
According to Kate Smith in "Sensational Color": "In Chinese culture, colors corresponded with the five primary elements, the directions, and the four seasons. Black was associated with water, north, and winter." White, on the other hand, represents death, as well as autumn. Throughout their history, Chinese people have traditionally worn white when they were in mourning. White also symbolizes fulfillment, purity and brightness. The two poles of energy, yin and yang, were represented by black and white.
Colors, Seasons and Chinese Art
The seasons have a fundamental connection with specific colors in Chinese culture. Apart from black and white, as mentioned, for winter and autumn, bright red represented the warm energy of summer, and spring was greenish blue, depicting the flowering of nature and the sprouting of vegetation. Ancient Chinese painting arranged bright colors in patterns to explore their relation to Taoist and Buddhist philosophical concepts. Chinese poets described a multiplicity of colors with great subtlety and skill.
