Colors as symbols

CEBU, Philippines — Much has been said about colors and their affinity with luck and fortune, an association that, one way or another, is intrinsic in the formation and progression of societal beliefs and norms.

Here in Cebu, colors and their affinity with luck manifests yearly during the celebration of the Chinese New Year – a celebration that takes after the time-honored traditions of China and Cebu’s standing as the “first real Chinatown” of the Philippines.

As the metro has just rung in the Chinese New Year with the rest of the world, following are quick takes on colors and their symbolisms in traditional Chinese culture – what they symbolize and what values they are believed to embody.

Red – In Chinese tradition, the color red holds close ties with good luck, joy and happiness, widely used in China that it is generally considered to be the country’s national color.

Symbolizing “fire” in the traditional Chinese “Five Elements Theory” (the five elements being metal, fire, water, wood and air), the color also holds symbolisms for victory, fertility and vitality – an association that runs parallel to Western culture’s views on red being the color that symbolizes strength and passion.

Yellow – The color yellow symbolizes “earth” in traditional Chinese culture, believed to be one that naturally attracts good fortune.

Also identified as an “Imperial Color,” yellow also symbolizes prosperity, power and royalty – apart from symbolizing the virtue of heroism; an opposing take on Western culture’s association of the color with cowardice.

Blue – Symbolizing growth and optimism, blue in Chinese tradition symbolizes the “wood” element, a status which it shares with the color green.

The color also symbolizes advancement and immortality, apart from being the color that symbolizes the coming of spring.

Green – Akin to Western culture, Chinese tradition associates the color green with purity; the color symbolizes cleanliness and renewal.

Just as the color has become symbolic of all things healthy and eco-friendly in the West, the color is also representative of good health in Chinese tradition.

White – Symbolizing renewal and purity, white in traditional Chinese culture represents the “metal” element.

In contemporary times, the color is widely used by manufacturers of consumer goods, as it has widely become the color of choice among consumers – be it for smartphones or for cars.

One little-known aspect about the color is its association with death in Chinese culture, as white clothes are typically associated with funerals.

Black – In Chinese tradition, black symbolizes the “water” element; the color has mixed interpretations.

In contemporary times, the color is closely associated with irregularity, but traditional Chinese culture identifies black as “Heaven’s color” – a neutral color that’s symbolic of stability, power and knowledge.