What Does Green Mean?
This was a professional development workshop for teachers presented by me at the Green School, Bali. Staff had already received an introductory workshop on Rudolf Steiner's Color Theory earlier in the year. There had been some discussion amongst teachers and parents about the meaning of the word “Green” in both educational terms and what this word actually represents as the name for the school. Teachers carried out a creative, imaginative exercise on paper in which they explored these questions while focusing in what Steiner had to say about the color GREEN. Below are the notes used that were discussed and used as the basis for thye workshop. “Green represents the dead image of life.” -- Rudolf Steiner Green is the color of perfect rest and repose. It is the simple mixing or neutralization of the polar opposite: blue and yellow. Its effect is healing, therapeutic, calming and peaceful. Green can be light, joyous, refreshing. Green is now associated with ECOLOGY and a word socio-political and economic outlook that is deeply concerned with caring for and sustaining the world and the natural environment: – air, water, the rain forests etc. Natural greens, from forest to lime, are tranquil and refreshing, with a natural balance of cool and warm (blue and yellow) undertones.
Green takes on a pathological character however, when sullied, or dirtied the tranquility and peace of green transforms into apathy – laziness - stasis. By Green in this contaminated form - “slimy” or “bilious” - green is associated with negativity, poison, envy, jealousy and illness. Steiner on children: "A nervous, excitable child should be treated differently as regards environment from one who is quiet and lethargic. Everything is to be considered, from the color of his room, objects that are around the child, to the color of his clothes. An excitable child should be surrounded by and dressed in red and reddish-yellow colors, whereas for a lethargic child one chooses blue or bluish-green shade. For the important thing is the complimentary color, which is created within the child. In the case of red it is green, and in the case of blue it is orange-yellow" Rudolf Steiner (edited slightly). Green is the color of the Heart Chakra, also known as Anahata. This is located at the center of the chest area and is linked to the heart, lungs, circulatory system, cardiac and plexus.
The Heart Chakra bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual worlds. Opening the Heart Chakra allows a person to love more, empathize, and feel compassion. Gemstones that will aid the Heart Chakra include jade and malachite. Quotes about green “Green how I want you green. Green wind. Green branches." -- Federico Garcia Lorca "Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." -- Pedro Calderon de la Barca. "He had that curious love of green, which in individuals is always the sign of a subtle artistic temperament, and in nations is said to denote a laxity, if not a decadence of morals." -- Oscar Wilde “Absolute green is the most restful color, lacking any undertone of joy, grief, or passion. On exhausted men this restfulness has a beneficial effect, but after a time it becomes tedious.” -- Wassily Kandinsky. How do we envisage or imagine the Green School in 10 years from now? How do we depict or express our concern about a GREEN world and the threat to it…..artistically and imaginatively using the color green in the full range of shades possible?
Please click on the images below to view a larger picture.
Green takes on a pathological character however, when sullied, or dirtied the tranquility and peace of green transforms into apathy – laziness - stasis. By Green in this contaminated form - “slimy” or “bilious” - green is associated with negativity, poison, envy, jealousy and illness. Steiner on children: "A nervous, excitable child should be treated differently as regards environment from one who is quiet and lethargic. Everything is to be considered, from the color of his room, objects that are around the child, to the color of his clothes. An excitable child should be surrounded by and dressed in red and reddish-yellow colors, whereas for a lethargic child one chooses blue or bluish-green shade. For the important thing is the complimentary color, which is created within the child. In the case of red it is green, and in the case of blue it is orange-yellow" Rudolf Steiner (edited slightly). Green is the color of the Heart Chakra, also known as Anahata. This is located at the center of the chest area and is linked to the heart, lungs, circulatory system, cardiac and plexus.
The Heart Chakra bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual worlds. Opening the Heart Chakra allows a person to love more, empathize, and feel compassion. Gemstones that will aid the Heart Chakra include jade and malachite. Quotes about green “Green how I want you green. Green wind. Green branches." -- Federico Garcia Lorca "Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." -- Pedro Calderon de la Barca. "He had that curious love of green, which in individuals is always the sign of a subtle artistic temperament, and in nations is said to denote a laxity, if not a decadence of morals." -- Oscar Wilde “Absolute green is the most restful color, lacking any undertone of joy, grief, or passion. On exhausted men this restfulness has a beneficial effect, but after a time it becomes tedious.” -- Wassily Kandinsky. How do we envisage or imagine the Green School in 10 years from now? How do we depict or express our concern about a GREEN world and the threat to it…..artistically and imaginatively using the color green in the full range of shades possible?
Please click on the images below to view a larger picture.
