Colors and Their Meanings in Chinese Culture
Colors and Their Meanings in Chinese Culture
Have you ever wonder what are the meanings of colors? Well in China, there are meanings to every color. The traditions and culture of the Chinese people are the subjects of so many studies and understanding by a lot of other people outside their culture because it is amusing. Chinese culture and practices continuously create curiosity among the outside observer because they live their traditions in a day to day basis.
That is why It is very interesting to take a look at Chinese culture specially their choice of color and tits meanings.
If you visited a Chinese restaurant or watched a Chinese movie, chances are you might have noticed the color red, yellow and green which fill the atmosphere. You might have noticed that red is their favorite color too.
The objective of this article is to take a look at how Chinese people choose the color appropriate for their activities and symbols. So come and join me in understanding colors and their meanings in Chinese culture.
Red -- Have you ever wonder why Chinese people like the red color very much? China was once called “The Red China” referring to the Communist China.Chinese people like the red color very much. At festivals or great ceremonies, they prefer to wear red clothing as well.
The color red signifies happiness and good luck.
- Red clothes are preferred when you celebrate your birthday. Brand new clothes are worn and they should be red in color, and this is also done during New years celebration. Chinese celebrates grand birthday on certain age only.
- Red cheongsam is a woman's dress with distinctive Chinese features and enjoys a growing popularity in world of fashion -- in international fashion as well. Chinese people tend to wear red colored dresses to add in a festive mood in any festivities. The cheongsam is a dress with distinctive Chinese features and is buttoned on the right side with a loose chest, a fitting waist to enhance the shape of a woman.. the cheongsam perfectly fits the beautiful figure of females.
Red Chinese Knot
- Red Chinese knot are made up of a single rope and it is named by its meaning and its form. It is a very elegant red knot hang everywhere in Chinese homes and establishments.This is a form of ancient weaving and Chinese people use this as a form of decorations since Han Dynasty. Knot in Chinese means marriage, warmth, reunion, luck, harmony and also love. Red Chinese knot must should be made from a single red rope symbolizing the unending life. It is also bent, tied and crafted from a single red rope, to express the endless circle of a happy life.
Red Lantern
- Red Lantern is found everywhere, in the house in the streets as well. They are hang to symbolizes brightness, harmony, happiness and good luck as well. It is supposed to warm the house, send away evil spirits and create an atmosphere of harmony.
Red Couplet
- Pasting red spring couplet has been an important part of the Chinese New Year's celebration since ancient times. On lunar New Year's Eve, families make it a point to decorate their gates or apartment door-frames with the customary couplets. The couplet which is written on two strips of red paper -- is composed of two (two) poetic sentences which match and rhyme with each other to express hopes for the coming "NEW YEAR". The red couplets, along with the New Year paintings on the door, serve as beautiful decorations as well as protective shield for evil spirits.
Red Paper cut
- The "Paper-cut art" is a handcraft created in various patterns like animals or flowers and it is pasted on the window and other side of the house to create festivities. This is mainly during New Year.
Red Firecracker
- Chinese people used red firecrackers during special festivities like New year. Red firecrackers are believed to bring good luck and happiness plus it ward off evil spirits as well.
Red Pocker or Red Envelope Which Contains Good Luck Money
- The Chinese people have a tradition of giving money to children or unmarried children, and they give it with the “red envelope” containing the money and it is also called a good luck money. This money or red envelope is given during special occasions. This simply means the elder people give the younger ones -- the children money and they put it in red envelope while the younger children will also greet the elder ones with this greetings --Gong xi fa cai, hong bao na lai!" and this simply means "Wish you a Prosperous New Year and please give me a red envelope!"
Red is the color used during weddings
- The carpets, the invitation, double Happiness characters ahould be in red color . The bed of the newly wed is also colored red including the quilts as well as the decorations during wedding should all be red. Red signifies blessings and good luck to the couple who are going to get married.
You can also found the Color Red in their flag, ancient palaces (walls) the walls of ancient palaces, the national flag -- Chinese knot -- lantern -- couplet -- clothings and other things discussed here. Red signifies reunion, health, happiness, harmony, peace plus prosperity.
GREEN
- The green signifies prosperity and health, plus harmony. Green hats signifies cheating behavior as well
Black is used in daily wear but it also signifies mourning like white. A black ribbon is put at the top of deceased picture.
Blue or dark blue is also used or sadder occasions like death and mourning.
Yellow and Gold
- Yellow is a good luck color -- as it is sometimes paired with red if there is no gold color Yellow was also the color of the robes and attire of the emperors. I don’t know if there is something about the term “Yellow race”. Yellow is a mourning color for Chinese Buddhists -- specially deceased monks.
White or Silver
- White for Chinese tradition signifies mourning and sadness. It means death as contrasted to the meaning of white in the western world which is purity. White can also be interchanged with silver as a symbol of mourning. They dressed in white when they are in mourning.
Red and yellow plus green are always use for festivities and for decorating as well. In this article, we will try to take a look at what does certain color means to Chinese.
One interesting fact is that there is no exactly explanation why Chinese prefer green and red color but according to some studies, if you combine red and green, the product is yellow and yellow is a nice color for Chinese.
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Comments
I want to address the question regarding Red and Green. "Red man, green lady" 紅男綠女 is a Chinese idiom used to describe a happy and cute (heterosexual) couple, as well as people in elaborate clothings. In Tang Dynasty, this is the dressing code for the groom and the bride respectively, respectively. This tradition can be seen in some modern-day revival of traditional Han Chinese weddings and rituals.
In some local customs, such as the folk dancers from the north-eastern region (東北), wear a strongly contrasting clothing with bright pink and neon green. I am not sure about its origin. Anyway, unfortunately, many modern Chinese might believe that green and red is a horrible combination as there is a well known saying indicates this idea, but this is merely a misunderstanding of traditional colours as well Chinese culture in general. When used well, red and green can still form an elegant and classic pallette. For example, in the Hanfu Movement, green and red are often used for Tang-inspired hanfu (Han Chinese Clothing) designs, because this pallette tends to give out an aura of the Tang.
Thanks this is really helpful(:
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Thanks Jan! The Chinese culture is very rich!
Really beautiful and interesting information about chinese culture... loved it...!!! :)
Thanks :) you help with my homework !!
Great hub, very much informative .... Great hub for Chinese tradition and colors .... Thanks prettydarkhorse .... for the wonderful information .... keep up the good work up ....
I had heard that red meant "available" here in the United Sates. Fascinating. I love blue because it reminds me of the ocean but sad doesn't work for me.
I have heard most Asian weddings - India and Pakistan red is the main color for the bride. I didn't know about China.
Color and the cultural significance can be so different.
Fascinating post. Thank yoU!
Voted up!
ta u helped amazing with my home work!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):)
This is really fascinating, I love knowing the reasons behind things, and the symbolism of it as well. This has great, in depth explanations that I really appreciate. Good job, very informative, thank you so much for sharing!
Great a hub. Thanks for all the details.
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Cool, that's fascinating. I never realised the meaning behind red. Thanks!
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Thanks for reading this hub, I really appreciate it..
Nice hub. Thank you for informing us of the colors of your culture. Well done.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. I knew they were big on the stars, didn't know about the colors as well. Great article.
Nice hub!Red's got to be their favorite color=)
This is SO interesting and informative...I knew a little about the red...but nothing about all the other colors and their meanings and appropriate occasions.
Thanks for this. Voted up and useful.
Very insightful hub and the pictures are very beautiful.
Color is cultural. This article points that out. In the West, red has sexual connotations, plus danger, while white is pure and virginal rather than death which is black. Testing on yellow also means appetite, and inducing willingness to eat. In the Arab world green is associated with religion and being devout. Blue is politically conservative and red is associated with communism.
I have notice numerous time the breakin translation of Chinese to English. I am volunteer in myself to work in translation and corrections of text. Please employ.
I am thank you.
James Pursell
Fascinating article. I went to a Chinese wedding this year and made sure I wore a red tie! :)
Keep posting more like this. Thanks.
this helps me in my presentation.. thanks
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"Green Hat" is a metaphor of a husband cheated by his wife. So no husband will wear a green hat in life.
Interesting hub.
May I just add a comment. Buddhist monks wear "yellow" (actually saffron) robes. Yellow is not a mourning color. The traditonal mourning color is black; but nowadays many prefer white.
Lovely Hub-I would enjoy your comments on my History Hub on Qin, First Emperor of China.
Thanks for your explanation of meanings behind colours. It always remained a mystery to me but I knew there was some meaning behind them some way or the other! Great Hub!
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my lucky number is 7, thank you chicago, Maita
I'm usually lucky. My lucky number is 3
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Hi mythbuster, thank you, white and silver signifies virginity, hehe. Maita
An interesting hub. Thanks for sharing. I wasn't aware of the associations with the colours white and silver.
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lender, thanks dear, maita
Excellent and unique hub! That made for a very good read.
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thanks alya, that's a nice compliment! Maita
I've always been wondering why red is so significant.This was a fantastic hub.
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Hi Tubbs, Xie xie, yuan ni you ge mei meng. ( I followed what you say hehe) Wan an as well,! I appreciate it very much, Maita
LoL!! Ok I will have to work on that one, but I will have it for you tomorrow for sure. I enjoyed that!! Xie xie, yuan ni you ge mei meng. Wan an Maita!
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thank you so much for your effort, you are fast, I will let you sleep now, Xie xie, I like it very much, how about that, in Mandarin, I like it very much, more assigment, hehe, Maita
Haha!! you could say thanks, xie xie or thankyou is xie xie ni. Do you like it? LOL!!
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Wan an, Wo Ai Ni, hehe, how about thank you, that is your assignment?? just kidding, Maita
Your so welcome Maita!! I had to look at my notes but "Good Night" is Wan An. Wo Ai Ni.
Tubbs
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oh thank you, Ni Hao ma, how about good night, Wo Ai Ni, Maita
Ni Hao or Ni Hao Ma and I love you is... Wo Ai Ni !! LOL!!
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Thats good Tubbs, I am a Filipina and I don't speak Chinese as well, but I am very ineterested to learn their language as well,
you're great learning , How do you say Hi or I love you in Mandarin then hehe, Maita
Hi good morning Maita!! I've been studying Mandarin now for about four months. It is a challenge but I really enjoy it.
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Thank you Tubbs, good morning! Are you learning Mandarin or Fookien? That's nice you are interested in Chinese culture, Maita
I love this hub!! Well written. Chinese culture and language have always been of great interest to me. Good hub Maita!!
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Hi Ed, yes understanding culture is nice as well, and I hope you learn a lot from Chinese culture, Thanks, Maita
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Hi Part time writer, thanks for your nice comments, I like red as well, Maita
I really never read anything on the color reasoning of other country's but its interesting and if you travel a good way to start a conversation with people outside your own culture to show respect to thiers. Than you. Ed
Enjoyed learning about the importance of color in Chinese culture. One of my favorite colors is red, I guess I must be happy go lucky.
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Hi Ms Susana, thanks and it is fine with me, Maita
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Hi cosette, "The Good Earth" seems a nice book, am glad you luv this one, thanks dear, Maita
Hi pretty :) I'm thinking of adding a link to this hub from my dream interpretation website since colors have different meanings in different cultures - this is just what I've been looking for! Thank you for writing it :)
luv this hub! i first became aware of the significance of Chinese colors when i read The Good Earth. love your images too :)
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thank you ateenyi, and yes, that good luck money is the bst isn't it? hehe, I wish adult can be given too, in the Philippines, wher there are lots of Chinese, myother relatives who are half Chinese will give money to children, I am a Filipino American, Thank you again, Maita
Good Hub!!!!
Color displayed at total ambience of Chinese culture. Red, green and yellow color is mostly used in all the festive occasion in Chinese culture. The children are often gifted with red envelope containing money symbolizing good luck. The whole hub is highly informative thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
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Hi emie, thanks for your wonderful comments, Maita
Lovely hub, lovely pics from a lovely hubber. I'm biased because you're my kababayan :D.
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Hi Irish, I think you really like chinese food, Miss you in the forum, Thanks dear, Maita
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Hi treasure, thank you, Maita
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Hey Truth, I know Celtics wear green hehe as always it is the personal preference and your aura on it that counts, LOl, Thank you, I love green too, Maita
Yes, I am a regular visitor to the local Chinese restaurant, loads of celebration still going on in Ireland for Chinese new year......it is 4pm here in Ireland and weather is ok......hope you are well
Cool!
Great work Maita, I'm not happy about the green color designation as I wear green often. I'm sure it does not apply to me. Have a great week.
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Thanks Money, I like the color red too, Maita
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Hi Dao, how come you are poor, financially but not in spirit, Thank you, Maita
I like this hub for the simple reason that I love red and it makes me happy :) Thanks for sharing your insight on one of my favorite colors. :)
Red is not my color. None of my clothes is red. No wonder I am poor! :-(
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Thanks Patti, Maita
Hello Maita! Great information - I'm going to have to start wearing more red.
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Hi anglnwu, thnaks for your insights as well, interesting, pink, oh now I know I like red so I wear red clothes at times, Maita
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hi habee, are you into colors? Happy weekend, Maita
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Thank you Petra Vla, now you know, thnaks for visitng this one, wedding must be fun I know you enjoyed it, Happy weekend, Maita
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Hey IRISH, yes Chinese are into restaurants business and they are hardworking, have you visited a Chinese restauramt yet, notice their color, thank you, Maita
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hi ehern, thank you, now at leaat you know the meanings of colors in their culture, It has been snowing here for the past 24 hours and I have some nice pics here, I wonder if I cna make a hub out of it, it is 20 inches already outside amazingly cold, hmm,,,BRRR how about there? Maita
Even though I'm Chinese by race, I still find the information fascinating. Red is such an auspicious color and if you go visiting during Chinese New Year, you go in red (or something bright like pink or yellow) or you may get disapproving stares from the older generation. Unfortunately, it's not my personal favorite, so I wear red only when I'm expected to. Thanks for the lovely hub.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing, Maita!
Hi Maita, red and yellow brings out happy thoughts and optimism. It's no wonder lots of people want to see them in their surroundings. Cheers!
I love the significance of the colors and the way you explained each one of them. At a Chinese wedding we attended last year everything was so red I figured it may have a special meaning, but did not know what; now I know; thank you
Brilliant Hub pretty, great insight, there are 70,000 chinese live in Ireland, but we don't really interact as they are always working in their restaurants...thanks...Irish
Thanks for the infor Maita, it is really a beautiful tradition and the colors used make sense to me now. Any snow in your part of the woods yet? Expecting some here tomorrow. Not much but for us, very very rare.
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Yes white is use for mourning and so seldon you see Chinese also wearing white dress, How are you Ktrina?? Thank you, Maita
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Thanks tnflash, I am grateful you drop by here, Now you know, are you gonna wear the red color now?? LOL Maita
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hi blpelton, nice of you to come by again, how are you, Maita
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Zsuzsy Bee, thank you for dropping by to comment here, Maita
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hi Hello, thanks for your comments, Maita
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Hi Cris, thanks is red a fav color of yours too?/ Maita
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Hi Tony, Thank you for your comments, Maita
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Hi Quill, yes gray is not so lively, red rocks, YEHEY, thanks SIR, Maita
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Hi Sage, I am glad you drop by here again and thanks for your nice compliments, Maita
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Hey mystique where did you learn those Filipino words hehe, I am glad you like what I am writing, as I like your articles as well, I am glad you're my kaibigan too, always--
Salamat (thanks), Maita
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SHHH Dohn, that's nice I love kimchi by the way, oh that's their symbol of cheaitng I don't know the reason behind it -- green, in some culture I think it is a symbol of jealousy as well, and silver is like offwhite as well, used for mourning, they don't like white or silver as it is blank, usually they prefer bright colors red, HMM< you know these already,
Do you also celebrate New year like the Chinese do DOHN???
Thank you, Maita
As usual: Great hub, Maita! "Pag-ibig ko ang iyong pagkamalikhain kapag isulat mo ang iyong hubs! Ako ay masaya na maging kaibigan"
Besides, I am truly passionate about Asian cultures.
Two Thumbs up!
Warm regards and blessings,
Al
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Hi Beth, thanks for dropping by here and for your nice compliments as well, Kung Hei Fat Choi and Happy Valentines to you, now we can use your recipe as well, Maita
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Hey mama, that's good wearing red, I am sure you and papasez will have a good Valentine's Day as well, best to you and Kung Hei Fat Choi, here's to your good luck, Maita
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Hi Micky, lots of people like the color red, its bright and seem a joyful color, thank you for reaidng this hub, TC, Maita
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Thanks lorlie for reding this one, I like the color red as well, Maita
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Thank you alexandriaruthk, I am glad to be a fan too, Maita
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Hi RevLady, thnak you for your very nice comment, Maita
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Hi Ghost, yes the number red in dresses are beautiful, I am sure you will look good in red?? Thanks, Maita
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