Green is a color that is commonly associated with nature, growth, renewal, and the environment. When we think of green, images of grass, trees, shrubs, and other plants likely come to mind. Green is considered a “cool” color along with blues and purples. It sits opposite red on the color wheel. This leads to an interesting question – what is the complementary opposite of green?
To find the complementary opposite of a color, you look directly across from it on the standard color wheel. The complementary color will create the maximum contrast when placed next to the original color. This contrast allows the colors to stand out vividly against each other. So what sits directly across from green on the color wheel? The answer is red.
The Complementary Color Wheel
The complementary color wheel consists of 12 major hues. The primary colors are red, yellow and blue. When you mix the primary colors together, they make the secondary colors – orange, green, and purple. Tertiary colors fill in the gaps between the primary and secondary colors.
Here is a diagram of the standard color wheel showing the complementary relationships:
| Red | Yellow | Blue |
| Green | Orange | Purple |
As you can see, red sits directly opposite green on the wheel. This means that red and green are complementary colors. When placed next to each other, they create maximum contrast and make each other appear more vibrant.
The Properties of Red and Green
So why are red and green complementary opposites? To understand this more deeply, let’s compare some of the properties of these two colors.
Red is a warm color, while green is cooler in tone. Red is associated with heat, fire, and energy. Its wavelength falls near the long end of the visible color spectrum. Green has a shorter wavelength closer to the center of the spectrum. It is associated with nature, tranquility, and renewal.
In design, red commands attention and jumps out from the background. It accentuates the nearby colors. Green is more subtle and calming. It can serve as a backdrop that lets other vivid colors stand out.
Red stimulates us and raises blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. It energizes and excites. Green relaxes us and can lower anxiety and stress levels. It has a balancing, harmonizing effect.
Here is a table summarizing some of the key differences between red and green:
| Red | Green |
| Warm | Cool |
| Long wavelength | Shorter wavelength |
| Stimulating | Relaxing |
| Energizing | Balancing |
| Attention-getting | Subtle |
As complementary opposites, red and green bring out the maximum contrast in each other. Where red is stimulating and exciting, green is calming and subtle. The energetic properties of red stand out against the tranquil backdrop of green.
Applications of Red and Green
The complementary contrast of red and green leads to many practical applications:
Traffic lights – Red and green are used on traffic signals because they are easy to distinguish. The eye naturally perceives them as opposites.
Christmas decorations – Red and green are the traditional Christmas colors. They provide vivid contrast and stimulation during the dark winter.
Color coding – Red often indicates danger, errors, or stops. Green can signal go, safety, or correctness. The opposites are easily recognized.
Digital design – Red and green make ideal contrasting colors for web pages, apps, infographics, and other digital media.
Vision testing – Eye charts use red and green lines to test color vision and visual acuity. The bold contrast makes any vision deficiencies easier to detect.
So in summary, red and green bring out the best in each other. Their complementary properties lead to many practical and aesthetic uses.
Mixing Red and Green
What happens when you physically mix red and green pigments or lights?
With pigments, the red and green mix to form a brownish, unsaturated color. The vividness disappears. However, when red and green light mix, the result is yellow. This is why yellow is positioned between red and green on the color wheel.
In printing, combining all the colored inks – cyan (blue), magenta (red), and yellow – results in black. This is known as CMYK color mixing. TV and computer screens use the opposite RGB color mixing, combining red, green, and blue light to create white.
So in lighting and on screens, red and green maintain their complementary relationship. When physically blended, their colors dull and mix to a brown or yellow shade. But side by side, the red and green contrast remains vivid.
Psychology of Red and Green
Does the complementary relationship between red and green have psychological effects? Research shows it can:
- Red light can increase arousal and stimulate appetite. Green light can relax and reduce appetite.
- Seeing red first can raise aggression, fear, and anxiety levels. Seeing green first lowers them.
- Red environments can increase anxiety, tension, and brain activity. Green environments have a calming effect.
- Red cues can cause people to react with more speed and urgency. Green cues do not provoke this reaction.
So psychologically, red and green tend to work in opposition, with red stimulating reaction times and emotions while green calms them. This is likely tied to learned associations and the inherent properties of the wavelengths.
Conclusion
In summary, red and green are complementary opposites. They sit on opposite sides of the color wheel, providing maximum contrast and visual pop.
Red is warm and stimulating, while green is cooler and more relaxing. Applications like traffic lights and Christmas decorations take advantage of the red-green dynamic. Mixing the two colors dulls them, but placing them together makes them shine.
Psychology studies back up the idea that red arouses while green calms. So the next time you want to add some kick or relax your mind, turn to the age-old balance between vibrant red and peaceful green.