After the summer project we discussed as a group what the colours meant in a Chinese culture, instead of the western culture some of the chosen films came from.
Red - In China signifies Joy and fortune. Whereas in the west it comes across as love, lust and danger. In ancient China, Red got it's meaning from fire, one of the five elements. Colours in China are based on the five elements, therefore red does not mean danger in China. Red is also the traditional wedding colour bringing couples joy and fortune.
White - Funeral and Grieving. The complete opposite of what it would signify in western cultures. I would look at white and think of heaven and all things pure. Whereas, the meaning in China is death.
Black - Black here means heaven. Once again the complete opposite of what it would mean in western society. In my own interpretation I would look at black and think of fear and power.
Yellow - Yellow in china means freedom.
Green - Health and Harmony.
Blue - Immortality.
The five elements also have colours to signify them.
Wood - Green
Fire - Red
Earth - Yellow
Metal - White
Water - Black
The seasons also have colours to signify their meaning.
Spring - Green and Blue to signify health for the new life that is created during spring time. And blue for vitality.
Summer - Red is the colour of summer. In western cultures one would think that this would be the chosen colour due to the warmth nature of it, however the meaning of red is joy meaning summer is a joyous season.
Autumn - Orange is the colour of transformation which you can see on the leaves of trees during this season.
Winter - Winter is signified by the colour black. Black has been chosen to show the arrival of water.
There is also a colour for between the seasons - Yellow.
As you can see from above colour is very important in some cultures. This research has made me more conscious of the meanings of colours and how they will be interpreted from different cultures.
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