Traditionally, the Chinese would place a green jade stone in the mouths of the recently deceased. Let us study what different colors mean in Chinese culture. White represents the element of metal in traditional Chinese culture, also symbolizing purity and innocence. 绿 (lü / lǜ) belongs to the 3000 most common Chinese characters (rank 1062) Chinese example words containing the character 绿 (lü / lǜ) 红绿灯 (hónglǜdēng = traffic lights), 绿茶 (lǜchá = green tea), 绿灯 (lǜdēng = green light) Other characters that are pronounced lǜ in Chinese The color theory is based on these five elements, and five of the most popular colors in China also correspond to these five elements. Red is the traditional color worn by Chinese brides, as it is believed to ward off evil. Chinese culture has a strong focus on society, and the values of respect, honesty, kindness, and strong family values are held in high regard. Use purple in your kitchen to attract love and affection. Since the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907), wearing a green headcloth was a penalty for people who had committed crimes. The Five Element Chart shows associated properties or aspects of each element. In Chinese learning, color learning is an important part.In Chinese culture, colors have deeper meanings under the visible appearance. Decorate your kitchen in yellow to attract good fortune to your household. A simple meal in Chinese is Cu Cha Dan Fan, namely coarse tea and tasteless dinner. Chinese culture can be difficult to understand and with so many aspects to it, studying it can be a never-ending endeavor. It is the primary hardstone of Chinese sculpture.Although deep and bright green jadeite is better known in Europe, for most of China's history, jade has come in a variety of colors and white "mutton-fat" nephrite was the most highly praised and prized. China is a country rich with heritage, and uses colors symbolically within every ceremony, festival, and ritual. Why? There are many versions of stories about this saying. It also represents celebration, vitality, and fertility in traditional Chinese color symbolism. These are just two of the many interesting cultural quirks you may run into in China. The important differences include: Green stands for wealth, harmony, growth, eco friendliness in the West, whereas it stands for “clean, and contamination free” in China. According to a less-informed understanding of Chinese culture, red represents China and everything Chinese. In modern times, purple is used to represent love or romance. The old term is qing. In China, Luigi's get-up is a faux pas: no Chinese man would want to wear a green hat. And, be sure you don’t wear one yourself, either. Green can be considered to be unlucky as it is associated with infidelity. The source is a story from the Ming Dynasty. Our China culture guide contains information divided into Traditions, Heritage, Arts, Festivals, Language, and Symbols. While the idea of “green” in the western world has some similarity in China, there are subtle but important differences which most new market entrants fail to grasp. In fact, no matter where you are in the world, gold represents wealth. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. It is the primary hardstone of Chinese sculpture.Although deep and bright green jadeite is better known in Europe, for most of China's history, jade has come in a variety of colors and white "mutton-fat" nephrite was the most highly praised and prized. Decorate your kitchen in red to attract good luck to your household. Black can be considered unlucky too given it's association to the darkness and secrecy. Green hats don't mean much in Japan. Everyone has a favorite and in many cases, their culture also plays a significant role when it comes to associating symbolic or hidden meanings with different colors. Red is a popular color in Chinese culture, symbolizing luck, joy, and happiness. And, be sure you don’t wear one yourself, either. When it comes to green hats, there is evidence of there being a stigma against them leading all they back to at least the Yuan dynasty (1273 – 1368), when the families of prostitutes were supposedly forced to wear them. However, this doesn’t apply to your kitchen, as black is a gorgeous color when used in kitchen decor. Green 绿色 (lǜ sè) is a color representing nature and new growth. They didn't like the love interest between General Lee and Mulan (which was never in the original Mulan legend). Chinese culture is diverse and unique, yet harmoniously blended — an invaluable asset to the world. In China, wearing a green hat means to cheat on your husband. Tres chic! More…. The stress on these values has been passed down for ages starting with philosophical thinkers like Confucius. Jacob is the founder of Color Meanings, a blog about color symbolism and design. One of them is that the wife made a green hat for her husband, so each time the husband wearing the green hat walks back home, the wife and her lover can see it from far distance and have time to let her lover leave before the husband notice anything. Compared to Western culture, China has a different and more powerful scale of color symbolism. Culture plays a significant role when it comes to associating symbolic or hidden meanings with different colors. When we learn mandarin online, we should know the meaning of different colors.For example, you are not supposed to present a green hat as a gift to your Chinese friends. In China “wearing a green hat” (戴绿帽子 or dài lǜ mào zǐ) is an expression that Chinese use when a woman cheats on her husband or boyfriend because the phrase sounds similar to the word for cuckold. Ancient Chinese people regarded black as the king of colors. Dragon Well Tea, as an important part of Hangzhou culture, expresses the living attitude of locals as well as the Chinese people.Generally speaking, it takes 6 hours for the Dragon Well tea to pluck, it takes more than 4 hours to fry and make this one that shows dragon well green tea squarely is wonderful. In Chinese believes, the cosmos mirrors the Five Elements, therefore each color represents or is associated with a symbolic meaning. In some instances, however, white is associated with death and is a color commonly worn at funerals. With a history as ancient as China’s, there is little doubt why its culture has developed to become one of the most unique and colorful on Earth. Use green in your kitchen decor to represent the environment and good health. The Chinese value jade for carving as well as religious and medicinal purposes. In China “wearing a green hat” (戴绿帽子 or dài lǜ mào zǐ) is an expression that Chinese use when a woman cheats on her husband or boyfriend because the phrase sounds similar to the word for cuckold. The Chinese word for black is ‘hei’ which stands for bad luck, irregularity, and illegality. Use blue in your kitchen to represent growth and optimism. Just as the Five Elements Theory (of Metal, Fire, Water, Wood and Air) play an important role in influencing many of the Chinese beliefs and customs, the color theory is also based on the 5 elements. In traditional Chinese symbolism, purple symbolizes divinity and immortality. Color Taboos in Chinese Culture Since the Tang Dynasty (618 — 907), wearing a green headcloth was a penalty for people who had committed crimes. Chinese jade refers to the jade mined or carved in China from the Neolithic onward. Some other examples include:-Giving a clock as a gift: This symbolizes time running out, as in death, and is an awful gift to give to a Chinese person. Not talking openly about death is no different. The Chinese value jade for carving as well as religious and medicinal purposes. Today, Chinese culture associates it with evil and sadness. Hence five of the most popular colors in China also corresponded to these 5 Elements namely: As is evident, China is a vast country with multitude of facets. Green does have a couple negative connotations in Chinese culture, though. Wearing a Green Hat. Most Eastern and Asian cultures relate green with new and eternal life, new beginnings, fertility, youth, health, and prosperity. 8 Colors and Their Symbolism in Chinese Culture. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang enacted a law, which required men who worked in the prostitution trade to wear green … Traditionally, the Chinese would place a green jade stone in the mouths of the recently deceased. Tea drinking was popular in ancient China as tea was regarded as one of the seven daily necessities, the others being firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar. Many traditional Chinese families drink tea after dinner or when greeting visitors. Nowadays, green means energy saving, environmental friendly, and such... and it is the same as in China. It also represents the late summer season and the central direction. The same applies for the color green, as it is often considered ‘green- blue’ or ‘blue- green’. Culturally, green jade represents the heart. Green is similar in both Western symbolism and traditional Chinese culture. Drink the Best Tea in China. The same is true in Chinese culture. Yellow = earth? Here are 8 Colors and Their Symbolism in Chinese Culture. Green-colored jade jewelry has been popular throughout Chinese history among those who could afford it. It is also the color of jade as well as celadon that was developed to imitate it. Most Eastern and Asian cultures relate green with new and eternal life, new beginnings, fertility, youth, health, and prosperity. The tactical use of homophones is a practice that is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and history — this is in no way something new. The reason is, in Chinese culture, wearing green hat has a dark meaning: the one wearing it was cuckolded. Green– There is not much difference in between Western Symbolism associated with Green and that of it in Chinese traditions. It represents bad fortune and must not be worn to auspicious occasions like weddings and funerals. In ancient China, taoist scholars would prohibit any … One need not be a designer to have a special relationship with colors. A man wearing a green hat is said to have an unfaithful wife. Green is used to describe organic things, like calling organic milk “green milk” or calling pesticide-free vegetables "green vegetables". Customarily, on Chinese New Year, the elders give the younger ones a red envelope to welcome in the new year and give a blessing to the younger ones. Though tea is last on the list, we still can see its importance in daily life. White in your kitchen or household represents purity and renewal. Color Taboos in Chinese Culture . Beige Color Meaning – The Color Beige Symbolizes Simplicity and Comfort. Black = water? green translate: 顏色, 綠色的，草綠色的, 政治的, 環境保護的, 植物, 長滿綠色植物的，有綠色植物覆蓋的, 不熟的, （尤指水果）不熟的，生的，青的；（木材）沒有乾的，濕的, 沒有經驗的…. The word 'mafia' translates to 'black society' in … Red also represents the summer season and the element of fire that comes with it. In Chinese culture, green stands for cleanliness and purity from contamination. Hundreds of years later, in Yuan (1271 — 1368) and Ming (1368 — 1644) Dynasty, prostitutes and their families were regulated to wear green. Chinese jade refers to the jade mined or carved in China from the Neolithic onward. Green hats don't mean much in Japan. In China, Luigi's get-up is a faux pas: no Chinese man would want to wear a green hat. Use the color gold in your kitchen decor to attract prosperity to your home. The color of jade, green is also elegant. Like this post? 4. There is huge potential to “green” the Belt and Road Initiative, if Chinese financial institutions and enterprises improve the environmental risk management of their overseas investments and adopt responsible investment principles. By giving gifts, the relationships are enhanced. COVID Update: We are open and experiencing extremely high order volume. A country with a rich heritage; China uses colors symbolically within every ritual, ceremony, festival and, lately, even in business. Giving the Right Gifts. Chinese tea culture refers to the methods of preparation of tea, the equipment used to make tea and the occasions in which tea is consumed in China. Green Hats and the Number 250 Posted by sasha on Mar 22, 2011 in Culture For newcomers just arriving in China, or people planning a trip or move to the Middle Kingdom, there are an abundance of cultural quirks that you should know about. What Colors Make Pink and How Do You Mix Different Shades of Pink? He is a world-renowned color expert and a recognized leader in understanding how colors affect human emotion and behavior. Learn more in the Cambridge English-Chinese traditional Dictionary. While one must certainly use freedom and creativity in their use of colors especially when marketing in this country; one should also be extra careful in order to avoid pitfalls posed by the use of certain colors with negative connotations. This is not only a healthy habit but also reflects rich culture and history. Today in China, white is a popular color for consumer goods and is a common color choice for cars. Gold symbolizes wealth and riches in Chinese culture, which is the same in Western culture. Green does have a couple negative connotations in Chinese culture, though. And while this is true in Chinese culture, wearing a green colored hat for men is taboo because it suggests the man's wife is cheating on him. Use green in your kitchen decor to represent the environment and good health. Recently, China launched the Environmental Risk Management Initiative for China’s Overseas Investment. Blue represents the element of wood in Chinese culture, also symbolizing immortality and advancement. Our Boulder showroom is temporarily closed. Tree Symbolism in Chinese Culture Posted by Katherine Mcnenny 194.40sc on August 03, 2014 Jacqueline Chao is an art educator & DTLA local- we are lucky that she is also a volunteer here at IDG. In the West, green stands for harmony, wealth, growth, and eco-friendliness. Green: Green is a color which can confuse new entrants to the China marketplace. And people aren't happy about how the emperor bows to Mulan at the end of the movie, which is ridiculous in Chinese culture, and everyone hated Mushu the dragon the same way people hated Jar Jar Binks a year later. Yellow is an imperial color in traditional Chinese color symbolism, representing power, royalty, and prosperity. Eyes of the Forest: What Colors Can Deer See and How Is Their Vision? 7.) Surprisingly, the element of water is represented by the color black in Chinese culture instead of the traditional blue. The Chinese culture puts much more value on symbolism and the presentation of a gift than the actual gift itself. In astrology it is represented by the Azure Dragon, which was also a national symbol in the past. The Chinese have a saying: 'Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea are the seven necessities to begin a day.' Chinese is a nation that emphasizes on exchanging gifts. Black is not the happiest of colors in traditional Chinese color symbolism, representing destruction, evil, cruelty, and sadness. Rep. Mark Green: Cancel culture eerily similar to Communist China playbook to control its people China seeks to shape its ideal citizen: don’t ask questions, disobey or think for yourself In Chinese culture, green stands for cleanliness and purity from contamination. All Rights Reserved. Culturally, green jade represents the heart. Who knew! Jade was an important part of ritual contexts in the middle to late Neolithic periods, such as the Hongshan culture that existed along the Lao River and the Liangzhu culture in the Tai Lake region (both date between 4000–2500 BCE). To non-Chinese, red is the most obvious color to use in marketing work. Chinese people can chat with a friend for a whole afternoon over a pot of good tea. As you learn about cultural taboos and traditional customs in China, you’ll find that many traditional taboos in the Chinese culture come from ancient times and stem from Taoism. Generally blue or azure and green is associated with health, prosperity, and harmony. The reason is, in Chinese culture, wearing green hat has a dark meaning: the one wearing it was cuckolded. Copyright © 2021 Big Chill. This apparently dates back to the Yuan dynasty when the relatives of prostitutes were forced to wear green … Green is used to describe organic things, like calling organic milk “green milk” or calling pesticide-free vegetables "green vegetables". The earliest Chinese jade is from the early Neolithic period Hemudu culture in Zhejian Province (about 7000–5000 BCE). And while this is true in Chinese culture, wearing a green colored hat for men is taboo because it suggests the man's wife is cheating on him. This goes for watches as well. It’s a lively and fresh color. Chinese Tea Culture. Yellow represents the earth in traditional Chinese culture. Topics include Chinese food, World Heritage sites, China… Blue also represents the season of Spring. Re-pin the image below to share with family & friends. During Chinese New Year, the Chinese use a lot of red and gold colors. In China’s mainland, green means “clean” or “free of contaminants”. The Five Elements Theory (Metal, Fire, Water, Wood, and Air) play a very important role in influencing many of the Chinese customs and beliefs. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Red symbolizes good fortune and joy in Chinese culture and it is found everywhere during the Chinese New Year and other family holidays or gatherings.