Green is one of the most common colors in nature and has many interesting facts associated with it. Understanding more about the color green can help kids learn about science, art, history and culture. Here are some fascinating facts about the color green that kids will enjoy learning.
Green in Nature
One of the main reasons green is so prevalent in nature is because of chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants. Chlorophyll absorbs blue and red light from the sun and reflects green light, giving plants their verdant hue. Chlorophyll plays a vital role in photosynthesis, the process plants use to convert sunlight into energy. Green plants and trees thrive thanks to this important green molecule.
Some of the greenest places in the world include lush rainforests, rolling hills of grasslands, and algae-filled ponds and lakes. Common green animals include frogs, turtles, snakes, insects and birds like parrots. Green is everywhere in the natural world!
Green and Eyesight
The human eye is exceptionally sensitive to the color green. We have more green cone receptors in our eyes than red or blue cone receptors. This means our vision sees green more vividly than other colors.
Green is thought to be soothing and relaxing for our eyes. Staring at green can provide a break for our eyes after looking at a computer screen or reading for a long time. The green background used on some computer programs and e-readers is designed to reduce eyestrain.
Green Means Go
Green is strongly associated with the meaning “go” due to green traffic lights. Driving rules state that when the traffic light turns green, vehicles can move ahead and go. This association reinforces the idea of green signaling forward movement and progress.
The opposite of green in traffic signals is red, which means “stop”. Green represents the action while red represents inaction. This symbolism translates to other areas as well, like green indicating something is ready or okay to proceed.
Green Means Nature
Since green is the most abundant color in the natural world, it has become the color representing nature, the environment, ecology and conservation. Organizations that want to communicate an eco-friendly message often use green logos and branding.
Some examples are green peace signs used by environmental groups and green recycling symbols marking sustainable products. Using green is a simple way to show something is natural, organic or connected to preserving nature.
Green Means Go (Money)
Green has a money-related meaning too – the greenback dollar bill! U.S. currency features green ink, leading to terms like “green” meaning cash and “greens” referring to dollars.
The association between green and money stems back to the 1860s when new green-colored Treasury notes were issued by the U.S. government to help finance the Civil War. This created a link between the color green, dollars and financial prosperity.
Jealousy and Envy are “Green”
Green is sometimes used to convey the emotions of envy and jealousy. We describe feeling jealous or envious of others as “green with envy”. Some believe this stems from people turning pale or greenish in the face when feeling extremely jealous.
Referring to someone as “green with envy” indicates they are covetous and resentful of another person’s status or possession. The green-eyed monster is another metaphor for feelings of envy and jealousy.
Green Means Sick
Another association with green is sickness. The term “green around the gills” refers to looking unwell or nauseous. Seasickness and carsickness can sometimes give people’s faces a greenish tint.
Green is also connected to toxicity and poison through colored warning signs and the hue of toxicmaterials like antifreeze. References to “the green fairy” come from the emerald green color of absinthe, an alcoholic drink now notorious for its toxic nature.
It’s Not Easy “Being Green”
In Western cultures, green can represent newness and inexperience. Someone said to be “green” or “green around the ears” is naive or immature. Terms like “greenhorn” and “green recruit” refer to newcomers who are wet behind the ears.
However, green is also associated with growth and rebirth. The environmental movement uses green to show we can renew and revitalize the planet. As Kermit the Frog sang “It’s Not Easy Being Green,” green can have both positive and negative connotations.
Green Means Health
Green has healthy associations from greens eaten in salads to the color of vegetables like spinach, peas and green beans. Greens are packed with vitamins that build strong bodies.
In hospitals, surgeons wear green scrubs and the Pediatrics department is indicated by green colors. Pharmacies use green in logos and signs since the color signals natural health and wellness. A green heart emblem is another symbol for health and medical issues.
It’s Not a Coincidence Sports Teams Choose Green
Many top sports teams feature green as an official color including the Green Bay Packers, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets. Sports teams select their colors strategically to communicate specific meanings.
Green embodies growth, vibrance and health – qualities sports teams want associated with their brand. Green optics also please the eyes, attracting fans who watch games in stadiums and on screens. The color green helps teams cultivate an image of wellness and strength.
Green Means Luck (Sometimes)
In some cultures green symbolizes good fortune and bounty. This may come from the lush green landscape, plants and jade jewelry prized in ancient China. Jade amulets were believed to protect against evil spirits.
In other contexts green is considered unlucky. Old British golf courses had no green pins since green was thought to be an unpropitious color. And for a time, green cars were seen as jinxed since early paints faded rapidly. Context plays a key role in determining if green indicates luck.
It’s the Color of Spring
After the brownness of winter, green emerges each year as the color of spring. New buds, fresh grass and blooming trees regain their green hues.
Green is associated with rebirth and renewal as plants come back to life. It’s a marker of the earth restored after the dormancy of winter. Fittingly, common spring symbols like shamrocks and eggs are green.
Green Had Royal Status
In the 15th-18th centuries, green dyes were more stable compared to tints of other colors. As a result, green clothing was especially prized and worn by nobility.
Sumptuary laws restricted lower classes from donning green garments. Green’s elite status led to terms like “gentleman in green” referencing a person of means. It wasfashionable for aristocrats to be portrayed in oil paintings wearing green attire.
It’s Connected to Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and green is the national color representing the Emerald Isle. March 17th Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations include wearing green, parades with green streamers, green beer and more.
Originally blue was the color of Saint Patrick but green slowly came to symbolize the Irish people and culture. Over time, Saint Patrick himself also became associated with the color green and shamrocks.
Green Means Safety
Green’s positive color meanings translate into common safety symbols and signals. Green exit signs mark doors and routes leading outside, promising safety ahead. Bright green vests worn by crossing guards and road construction crews keep them visible and safe.
First aid kits, AED machines, and emergency boxes are green to quickly convey that they can provide help. Green says it’s okay to proceed because the path is safe and secure. It provides reassurance.
It Has Healing Properties
Green is considered a healing and harmonizing color in techniques like chromotherapy and feng shui. Green light is said to balance the heart physically and emotionally, reducing depression and anxiety.
Used in color healing, green purportedly activates the body’s restorative energies and stimulates feelings of emotional calmness. Hospitals will sometimes paint patient rooms green to promote healing.
Green Symbolizes Adventure
Green connotes the spirit of adventure in stories ranging from Peter Pan in the emerald green Neverland to the Wizard of Oz’s famous Emerald City. Magical tales use verdant forests and rolling green hills to set the scene for heroic journeys.
In advertising, green evokes feelings of fun and indulgence associated with vacations, leisure and escaping routine. Green says it’s time for an exciting getaway, growth experience, or thrill ride. It whispers: “come away and play.”
It Represents the Green Movement
The green movement and environmental consciousness are represented by green forms. The recycling logo features three green arrows. Electric vehicle charging stations are marked with green signs. LED bulbs with green rings denote energy savings.
Using green visual cues quickly communicates eco-friendliness to consumers. It also motivates environmentally sustainable choices that support green living by making those options easier to spot and identify.
Conclusion
The color green has diverse symbolic meanings across subjects like nature, emotions, finance, health, luck and the environment. It represents both positive qualities like growth, renewal and wellness as well as some negative connotations from inexperience to envy.
While green has a complex array of associations, it generally evokes ideas of lush natural abundance, freshness, safety, generosity, and eco-friendliness in modern culture. For kids, nearly everything related to the color green reveals insightful new lessons from science and society. Digging into “green” provides a colorful way to grow knowledge.
