mymodernmet.com: Orange is a color that provokes an immediate reaction. What is it about the color orange that makes it so effective? In some cultures, it’s considered a sacred hue, while in others it’s a symbol of royalty. Bold and dynamic, orange is used to signal danger while at the same time create a sensation of excitement.
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I have read about the history of purple before, and I mostly remember that it was a symbol of opulence due to the rarity of the material needed for the pigment. I find it interesting to read that Europeans named the color after the fruit, not the other way around. It makes me think that, until the fruit arrived in Europe, nothing so perfectly embodied the color. In another sense, what was “yellow-red” existed as a gradient until the fruit came into the picture, and then the color was flattened and simplified to a single point, a symbol of sorts. To put it another way, the Platonic form for the color orange was invented based upon the fruit. Orange did not exist at all. It also occurs to me as a bit strange that, as the article points out, many Asian religions use orange prominently. As I learned, orange was traditionally an expensive color to produce, which seems to run contrary to the idea of relinquishing earthly attachment.
For me, this article really created a redemption arc for the color orange. That color has always been a color to me, the same color as the fruit its named after, something that could be heinous when worn as clothing in its purest form, or a nice pastel color. What was especially interesting to me, was how some colors favored orange in a meaningful sense especially because it was a mixture of two other powerful colors: red and yellow. In design class we talk a lot about the semiotics of different colors, and for specific religions, like Buddhism, orange is an association with holy dye, because of its use to symbolize the quest for knowledge. Like Chase previously said, I too had heard about the history of purple before, especially in its connotations with royalty. Now the connotations when someone hears about or sees orange, are very different in our modern times. I doubt that when someone sees orange they immediately think of Monks, or chinese medicine, but they probably think about pumpkins, or safety equipment (like what was mentioned in the article itself).
Similar to Elizabeth, I do find orange to be a particularly appealing color, but its use in certain cases is growing on me. I too think it is interesting that orange is associated with royalty, importance, and religion in Asian culture, since Western culture focuses so much on purple as a symbol of royalty. I wonder how much purple pigment was available in these areas, if at all, and perhaps orange developed as a marker of importance because of it rarity and expense, similar to purple and blue dyes in Europe. The emphasis of purple as a regal color over orange is also probably a reason why orange became a color used for safety equipment and prison uniforms. Like the article says, it is a bright, eye-catching color, and since Western culture did not hold it to a royal importance, it was appropriate to use it as we do now. The majestic connotation of orange also surprised me because I associate orange with danger, both because of these contemporary applications of the color, and because of its natural appearance in reptiles and bugs. Frogs often have bright colors like orange and red to warn of their poisonous nature and to ward off predators.
This is a very interesting article, as I feel that bright colors such as orange or yellow often get the short end of the stick. Personally, yellow is one of my favorite colors and orange is in a lesser position, but honestly, that is because orange is not really as relevant to my life. However, this article does include one of my favorite fun facts, that the color orange is named after the fruit and not the other way around. The use of the color orange is also very interesting because as mentioned by this article, it is a very eye-catching color used to signify warnings usually. The fact that most traffic cones and safety vests are very much a neon orange, I believe has skewed our opinion away from enjoying the color, as it should remind us of the tropics, instead to it being used as a tool for public safety.
This is some number in a series of in depth reports I have read about the history of a certain color on the blog, and I have to say I really enjoy the articles. Through past world religion classes I have taken I knew a decent amount about the color in a reverential context, but I didn’t understand truly why it was orange chosen to represent these important symbols, until I took a natural dyeing class. Learning the rarity of orange in a true dye form, not just as a mild result from a stain fascinated me. Orange’s ties to the ideas of abundance, balance, intellect, and warmth has started to grow on me really only as I have learned more about it. I didn’t realize how the creation of the first synthetic orange pigment did so much to influence Pre-Raphaelite painters and Impressionists. I think that the tag on the end of orange being used to signal warnings, danger, and prisoners kind of irks me. I think that application is logical, but it hurts a little bit to see something that represents such beautiful things be exploited just because it is noticeable. However, I think that the shade used matters a lot. I think that shade matters so much with the use of orange to evoke exactly what is intended.
I thought this article was fascinating; I had never really thought about the significance of the color orange but, after reading this article, I realize that orange is just as important in my life as some of the more recognizably significant colors, such as red, white, or purple. Like these other colors, orange is very versatile and different shades convey very different emotions, as the article points out. In the Monet painting, included in the article, the color orange is used in a variety of different shades that, together create a striking image of a sunrise or sunset. I also had no idea that orange was used as a color that represented fertility but, thinking about it now, this connection makes sense, as the right shade of orange has, to me, always felt comforting and beautiful. I will definitely be paying more attention to where orange comes up in my life and what it means in each context.
As a designer, I have always been very interested in colors, the histories behind them, and the various symbols they represent. I think that in theatre, particularly in the design areas of costuming and lighting, the semiotics of color is extremely important to the quality of the design and the story being told. I think this article is incredibly interesting because it’s focusing on the history behind the color orange, a color that many people push to the side (because they think it’s ugly) and discussing the rich history of symbolism behind it. I think it’s important for emerging designers like us to read articles like this so that we remember to consider the importance of every decision we make when designing shows in the future. An orange dress compared to a green dress creates an entirely different feeling for the audience member watching the show. A blue wash versus a red wash on stage creates very different moods for the scenes occurring on stage.
As a former visual arts major and an occasional amatuer designer, I love to look into the meaning of colors. I had recently looked into orange when searching for my propr warmth and hope evoking color for a costume piece. I did not find then that it also has symbolic meaning of transformation and the pursuit of knowledge, which also fit the character perfectly in her development throughout the show. What does annoy me with color meanings; however, is the lack of differentiation in color meaning definitions. This article did touch on it briefly, mentioning the ability of the fiery red orange and calm yellow orange to evoke different emotions and memories. Orange is a really a spectrum of colors, as are all of the colors. Red, for example, is widely considered an angry color, but the shade of red can tell you something about the kind of anger, if it’s muted, boiling, flashed, or long building. I wish more people sharing the meaning of color would point this out, even if it were as brief as in this article.
A little while ago an article was posted about the colour blue, and These two articles have just reminded me just how much I love the intricacies of something we often take for granted; colour. Orange is such a multi-faceted colour. A slight change in hue makes all the difference, it is so captivating that extra care must be taken to ensure the colour gives off the “right” mood. I have a bright orange coat, and I love it, however if he jacket was just ever so slightly more yellow or more red, I would not love it so. Realizing that colours can do so much for you, before you even make a stroke, can make entire pieces come together. I was unawares of it being considered once a royal colour. I knew that purple and blue had strong royal connotations, and it is no surprise that a colour that’s as engulfing as saffrom would be used to represent power, or even connection with the gods.
This article really fed my undergrad history major side of me who loves the insight and facts behind where we are today. I never really thought about orange all that much before and had always had that fruit is where it come from sort of mentality which isn’t wrong but is only one level of the story. It was quite amusing to me that for a very long time people referred to it as yellow-red instead of giving it a name. Also they talked at length about what orange makes someone feel and how they react to it and that is an interesting discussion to have. Of course, there is the traditional orange as safety equipment because it does stand out and came mean sign od danger but there is something more tantalizing about the color. It’s sort of inviting you to look into the mystery that it holds while being bright and exciting.
As an Asian, all I had learned about colors since I was a little kid was that purple is a color of the noble, and red is the color of joy and luck. I rarely read or learn about orange colors, so it is surprising to me that orange is actually a color symbolizing holiness and of such a significance, according to the article. Based on the traditional cultures, mythology and legends seen in Taiwan, China or some other Asian communities or countries, purple and gold are the most noble color due to the connections of expensive dyes and rarity. Orange is a color between red and golden yellow, so I wonder if these colors of the noble actually has hierarchical relations?
As an Indian, I have grown up with the color orange around me, with people telling me of how auspicious the color is and how it magnifies the beauty of the person wearing it. Frankly speaking, I never have been able to wrap my head around the latter, just because I have always felt that the color looks "too extra" on literally I have ever seen wearing the color. But for the first part, there is a part who does see orange as the color of purity and prosperity. That is why reading this article made me feel good because it informed me more about a color which has a positive place in my existence.
In addition to all the symbols of the color and the various places it is used and the significance behind it, what amuses yet confuses me is the fact that Europeans named the color after a fruit. I realize that it is not a big deal but just the fact that their first thought when they saw the color was something related to citrus amuses me.
Color represents many different things for many different people. Color os also very prominent in culture, religions, and tradition in general. To many, and to me at first, color was simply just a pigment and it was something you would see and that would be it. But color has dimensions and complicated layers to make it the color it is. I was surprised to find out the orange is widely known as a color that symbolizes danger. I had always thought that the color red symbolizes danger because of the representation of blood that's apparent. But again this goes to show how color has different impacts for different people and their experiences. One thing can mean something completely different to a wide spread of people because individuality is absolute. The color orange has always had a strong impact on people because of its natural occurrence throughout nature and everyday life.
This article offers an informative and helpful quick splash into the symbolisms and history behind the color orange, the manufacturing of the pigment, and the word itself. The one thing that greatly surprised me was the lack of any mention of fire. Regular fire from burning common materials like wood is almost always orange, and a bright orange at that. Besides a few other occurrences in nature (namely some trees in fall and sunsets), fire is one of the oldest and most vibrant orange things that people have come in contact with. That, combines with the strength of meaning and symbolism associated with fire, seems worthy of inclusion in any discussion of the color orange. Fire possesses the power to kill and destroy mercilessly, and yet it is also so important and life giving in its ability to cook food and to provide heat. It’s been used as a tool of war, a symbol of god, and thousand other things.
Orange is one of those colors that often gets overlooked- I can count on one hand the number of orange clothing items I own, and how many people do you know who would confidently answer “orange” to “what is your favorite color”?
I think it’s interesting how many people, despite this, have such a strong reaction to the color orange- even in this comment section, several people have started out with “I hate orange”. But I think this article offers a good look into its history and symbolism. I thought it was really interesting how orange didn’t have an English name until oranges were introduced to Europe- it existed, but it was thought of as a shade of red or a shade of yellow rather than its own distinct color. I think that really highlights the importance of language and how it affects our minds- how can you think of a concept without the right words to describe it, and vice versa? The article then made me wonder about the possibility of one day seeing a new color- we’ve studied the color spectrum to death, but maybe we’re overlooking something the way we overlooked orange and need something alien to open our minds. I’m still not the biggest orange fan, both the color and the fruit, but I did really love this article.
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