Learning journeys

Colour symbolism

Colour is very important in Chinese culture and art. There are five primary colours: red, white, black, green and yellow. Each of these colours also has symbolic meaning. When we look at Chinese artefacts, we need to consider the meaning of the colour, as well as the decoration.

Look at the chart below. It shows what each of the primary colours relates to.

ElementPropertyDirectionSeason
Greenwoodcoldeastspring
Redfirewarmthsouthsummer
Yellowearthhumiditycentre
Whitemetaldrynesswestautumn
Blackwatercoolnessnorthwinter

These categories were first written down in an ancient Chinese book called the Book of History (Shujing).

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