Green is a very interesting colour. It marks the separation between the warm yang colours (red, yellow and orange) and the cool yin colours (blue, purple and brown). I find it is one of the harder colours to get right because wearing the wrong shade of green can be particularly unforgiving. With my Celtic colouring, (light skin, freckles and dark green eyes) I look good in green which has blue tones in it. If there is too much yellow (as with olive green, khaki, or lime green) it looks dreadful on me. I also suit turquoise. Turquoise really stands in a class of its own, being between green and blue. It is a colour that looks good on most people.
I find green also needs careful consideration as a colour for the home. Some shades are too cool and makes the area feel cold and uninviting. Other shades of green are too yellow. It is interesting that green is the most restful and balanced of colours in the spectrum, but is also related to greed, envy, jealousy and feeling ill. Some people really do look ‘green around the gills’ when they have nausea.
And yet, in nature, nothing is as wonderful and restorative as green. It is my guess that it is difficult to produce the depth and subtlety of green in nature with synthetic dyes and I believe it is better to bring the healing vibration of green into the home with living plants and gemstones.
~*~The Healing Properties of Green~*~
- Restorative and calming
- Supports healthy functioning of the Heart and circulatory system
- Emotionally healing – relates to the Heart chakra
- Stimulates the thymus gland
- Soothes irritations
- Relieves inflammation and swelling
- Eases eye-strain
- Enhances communication (turquoise)
~*~Consider the effects of the different shades when choosing green for your home~*~
Light spring green symbolises new beginnings, growth, optimism and rebirth (think ‘new buds). It is said to be a good colour for the bathroom because it is related to cleanliness, rebirth (as we get ready to start the new day), rest, nurturing and relaxation.
A mid tone green is lively and quick moving, (think ‘grass’ and how quickly it grows). It is a good colour for kitchens because it is cheerful and stimulating but feels cool. Also consider it for an art or project room (such as a sewing room).
A deep green is the most restful and conservative shades of green. It would be a good choice for a meditation room or as accents in a study — but I wouldn’t recommend it for a family room or dining room except as an accent colour.
Turquoise is playful and childlike. Lighter versions of turquoise – up to a pastel – are a good choice for a child’s room because it is vitalizing but still restful. Deeper turquoise makes a good accent colour because it brings deep peace and harmony as well as joy into the home.
Copyright Deborah Redfern, 2007. All rights reserved.
Tags: Deborah Redfern, Feng Shui Colours
