The Meaning of the Colors in Japan

     COLORS:

     Japanese culture is closely tied to the seasons, so each month has its own set of natural colors that are representative of traditional natural motifs. January's colors are sprout green and deep purple representative of pine. February is crimson and purple for the Red blossom plum. March is peach and khaki for the peach. April is white and burgundy for cherry. May is dead leaf yellow and purple for the orange flower. June is prout green and yellow for Artemesia. July is red and deadleaf yellow for the lily. August is cedar bark and sky blue for the Cicada wing. September is lavender and burgundy for Aster. October is rose and slate blue for the bush clover. November is vermilion and grey-green for maple. December is lavender and deep blue for chrysanthemum. In Japanese culture Geishas wear each month's colors in conjunction with traditional kimonos.

   

  Traditional colors aside from the seasonal ones are those strongly tied to Feng Shui, which actually originated in China. Some of the more prominent Japanese colors are Ao (blue-green), Moegi (sprout-green), Kurenai (scarlet-pink), Kobai (plum-pink), Suo (maroon), Ki (yellow), Kuchiba (old-leaf tan), Yamabuki (golden yellow), and Murasaki (purple). Red is also a color of celebration and status and used in conjunction with white signifies good luck. Blue and white are also prominent Japanese colors commonly used in fabrics.