The colour green has taken on many meanings throughout history. In ancient cultures it was linked with nature, fertility, life and rebirth. The ancient Egyptian goddess Osiris was symbolised by the colour green, and Egyptians honoured her with green pigments in their art and jewellery. In Islamic culture, green is still considered a symbol of paradise and is often used in religious art and architecture.
Historically, green was rarely used in art due to the challenge that was the development of of green pigments. Copper compounds, such as verdigris, were used, but these pigments faded easily and were unreliable to work with. Verdigris was created by placing a plate of copper into a slightly warmed vat of fermenting wine, leaving it there for a few weeks, and then scraping off and drying the green powder that formed on the metal.
The Renaissance brought about the development of more stable pigments, including emerald green, which was made using copper acetoarsenite. The colour was a symbol of wealth and status, often used to clothe various successful businessmen and their families. Although it was widely used during the 19th century, its toxicity quickly made it an unpopular choice for artists.
In Hinduism, green is often associated with the heart chakra, which represents love, compassion and harmony. It is also one of the colours used during the festival of Holi, where colour is thrown to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Green also has significant meaning in Buddhism, where it symbolises harmony and balance. Buddha is said to have reached enlightenment in lush green landscapes, and Buddhists believe that if you meditate on the colour, your jealousy will turn into wisdom.
Green has been scientifically proven to have a stabilising effect on emotions and is often associated with balance and peace. As the colour is so prevalent in nature, it taps into an evolutionary predisposition in the human brain and induces feelings of calmness and tranquility. For this reason, it is often used in hospitals to calm and soothe patients, while some alternative medicine incorporates it into their therapy for its perceived healing properties.
In European and American countries, green is primarily associated with nature. This has caused it to be the colour of the environmental movement, bringing it to the forefront of advertising and political and social justice groups. Now, green labels are often spotted on products marketed as ‘sustainable’ or food that is considered healthy.