Want to feel the harmony and health of the color green?
Then you need to learn more about the meaning of the color green!
Green is associated with the natural world.
But there are also more subtle associations that can impact how we react to green.
Let’s get to know green’s meaning better.
Meaning of the Color Green
Green is usually seen as a generous and relaxing color. Seeing it can revitalize our minds and bodies.
It is associated with growth and prosperity, and even with luck.
Green foods are among the healthiest, adding to its association with health and healing.
But not all meanings are positive.
Green is also the color of greed and materialism.
Let’s learn a bit more about those associations and how they impact our lives.
How the Color Green Affects You
The color of nature
Green is best known as the color of nature.
From the rich foliage of plants to the green of grass and leaves of the trees, green is everywhere in nature.
This connection is why we associate green with growth and the natural order of things.
Boosts healing
Green is also the color of well-being. Some medical professionals believe it helps boost healing.
This is why many pharmaceutical companies use green in their branding and products. We see green and associate it with wellness and health.
Green also connects the mind to the body.
The shade is often useful in heaving a healthy relationship with our own feelings.
Peaceful and orderly
Green is also the color of peace and caring.
It has been shown to help calm arguments, and is often used as a color by counselors in their offices.
Green is also tied in with orderliness. This is why dark green is often used for military uniforms.
Not only can it help people feel calmer when military personnel are around, but it also helps with that sense of order.
Negative Connotations of the Color Green
Not all associations with green are positive, however.
Green is seen as the color of greed and envy. And it can be both positive and negative with its association with money.
It is also the color of boredom and stagnation – blandness that leaves us feeling stuck.
Sometimes green is the color of sickness, with ‘green around the gills’ being a phrase that means feeling unwell.
Some shades of yellow-grey greens can actually make us feel a little sick!
Green Meanings Around the World
Green has many meanings around the world – some that are quite similar, some different.
In the US, green means ‘go,’ and is seen in traffic lights or when a film company ‘green lights’ a production to get it started.
A ‘green card’ in the US permits immigrants to stay in the country.
Green is the color of nature in many places, but is also associated with magical beings in Irish and English folklore.
The whole of Ireland is associated with green and it is known as the Emerald Isle. It is also the color of the patron saint, St. Patrick.
In Islamic countries, green is the color of paradise and was the favorite color of the Prophet Muhammad.
Green Color Meaning for Personality
If you love green, this often means you are a very loyal and frank person.
People with green as their favorite color are moral, reputable, and very sensitive to social customs.
They also tend to have a deep connection to nature and the natural world.
Learn more about what it means if your favorite color is green.
Color Green Meaning in the Bible
In the Bible, green is the color of immortality and eternal life.
It is associated with renewal, resurrection, and also new growth as the color of vegetation.
One of the favorite Bible verses about green is Psalm 23:2:
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters…
This verse signifies peace, relaxation, healing and trust to many Christians.
The connection between green and spring is also seen in the celebration of Resurrection during Easter.
In the Catholic church, green vestments are worn during ‘Ordinary Time.’ This is the time of year when neither Easter nor Christmas are being celebrated.
The green attire signifies the hope and life of each and every day, and the anticipation of Christ’s resurrection.
Other Spiritual Meanings and Symbolism of Green
In the chakras, green is the color of the Heart Chakra or Anahata. It is connected with the ability to love and be compassionate.
This chakra color is linked with health and growth, both practical and spiritual.
In many spiritual beliefs, green is the color of change, new opportunities, and growth.
Spirits sometimes show up as green when in the physical world through things like plants and clothing.
The color green in dreams is often when spirits are trying to communicate with us.
It can also mean a new start or a seed that is coming to fruition in your efforts.
Green Meaning in Art & Design
Apart from the obvious meanings connected with the natural world, green in art is the color of harmony and balance.
It is a restful color that symbolizes peace and hope.
By drawing inspiration from nature, green can be used to relieve stress and evoke tranquility. Note Paul Cézanne’s use of green in Mont Sainte-Victoire with Large Pine. The soft blendings help convey the intended feelings.
But different shades are used differently, with rich greens associated with money and wealth. See how Sir Anthony van Dyck used clear greens and crisp contrast for this effect in Margaret Smith: Wife of Thomas Carey.
Yellow greens are often connected with sickness, jealousy, or discord.
Infographic compliments of Invaluable.
Learn more about color meanings in art.
Tints and Shades of Green Meanings
How many green colors are there?
You could create thousands of tints and shades of green by combining varying amounts of yellow and blue pigments with white and black. We’ll cover just a few here.
A true green made of 100% green light is a rather eye-popping tone.
As it contains no red or blue light, its RGB value is 0, 255, 0, which translates to a hex code of #00FF00.
Mint green is a fresh and vibrant tint that has cool tones. It gives a feeling of freshness and lightness and can trigger creativity.
It has a hex code of 3EB489 and an RGB value of 62, 180, 137.
For a pale mint green, go with #AAF0D1, RGB 170, 240, 209.
Olive green is made with a mixture of one part blue and three parts yellow. The result is sometimes called sophisticated and sometimes drab!
It is commonly seen in camouflage uniforms and is also considered a great color for any skin tone.
I personally would beg to differ!
Olive green has a hex code of 808000 and an RGB value of 128, 128, 0.
Emerald green is sometimes known as imperial or Veronese green.
It is a medium shade that is associated with Ireland.
Emerald is also the color of a precious gemstone and is seen as a shade of refinement and wealth.
The hex code is 50C878 and the RGB is 80, 200, 120.
Kelly green is another green shade associated with Ireland, and is named for the common Irish surname.
It is associated with St. Patrick’s Day and is a dramatic, mid-shade of green.
The hex code for it is 4CBB17 and the RGB is 76, 187, 23.
Lime green is named for the color of the skin of the fruit – which of course changes color as it ripens.
The deep green limes you buy at the grocery store are actually unripe!
Lime is a yellow-toned green that is associated with nature. The hex code for it is 32CD32 and the RGB is 20, 205, 50.
This color thesaurus has even more color names for green.
Or find more hex codes for greens!
Phrases with Green
Green often shows up in phrases and idioms that we use every day. Some examples include:
As green as grass – this can mean someone that is very naive or inexperienced, or refer to something being the same color as grass.
Green with envy, or green-eyed monster – to be very jealous of someone.
Greenlight – give permission to go ahead with something.
Go green on someone – get very upset with someone.
Green around the gills – someone looks ill or feels nauseous.
Have a green thumb or green fingers – be very good at growing things in the garden.
The rub of the green – a spell of good luck.
You might also enjoy these green meaning quotes.
How to Use Green in Marketing
In marketing, green is popular for businesses connected to nature and the outdoors.
This makes it popular also with eco-friendly brands, or those which are environmentally conscious.
Whole Foods and Starbucks utilize the color green to induce feelings of freshness and health.
It is also associated with money, so financial services often use it.
Rich green is a luxury color and is used by high-end companies from cars to watches.
Learn more about how to use color theory to choose your business colors.
Making the Most of Green
Green is a relatively consistent color when it comes to meanings.
Around the world, the association with nature is a clear one.
Many countries also see it as the color of money.
Learn more about all of the color meanings and make the most of your favorite shades.
Averi A says
If I want a sweet 16 and the color scheme is emerald green including my dress, what would be a good like title for the invitation. Like I need a theme that goes with emerald green. (Ex. if someone had a purple dress, theres could be rapunzel/tangled theme).
Louise Myers says
I love your idea, but you might want to ask this on a party planning site. Or if you’re looking for a character that wears emerald green, you could search that. 🙂