Spectrum of Opposites

I've been reading a book about a Persian rug weaver, and in the book a point was made that I found most fascinating. The meanings of colors, and how each color has two relatively opposite meanings.

RED (ruby, cardinal, crimson, rose, apple/cherry/cranberry) : Deep, velvety, hot, etc. It is the color of blood and thus the two best know meanings of red are 1) Love and its opposite 2)hate/danger. It is the color of passion, the color of strength.

GOLD (orange, peach, yellow, amber): Warm, soft, luscious, active, etc. This is the color of the sun, the sunflower, and the burning flame. Encompassed in the idea of fire is the two most common ideas of gold, 1)comfort/happiness and its opposite 2)burning/out of control. The metal, gold, is the most alluring of all metals (as history tells us), both winning hearts and causing wars.

GREEN (lime, sage, mint, winter, gang): Alive, growing, earthy, health, etc. This color is the color of life. Humans can see more shades of green on the spectrum than any other color. It is the color of life. But while it may be the color of the growing grass, it is also the color of mold and bacteria. This color is both 1)healing/learning/growing and 2)deadly/slimy/sour.


BLUE (indigo, water, sky, night): Calming, relaxing, cold, refreshing. Blue is the color of the two most fluid forms on earth-liquid and gas. So while it is desirable, is nearly unattainable. And while is can be 1)calming/soothing/refreshing it can easily be 2)chilling/uncomfortable/rigid.

PURPLE (violet, lilac, amethyst, wine): Deep, heavy, rich, elaborate. This color has long been thought to be the color of kings. It symbolizes wealth and royalty, as well as delicacy and enchantment. One may fins the purple can mean 1)depth/sophistication but also 2)egotism/selfishness.


WHITE (crystal, pearl, blank, stark): White is bright, clean, and vivid. It has the ability to both seem 1)serene/delicate/pure and 2)empty/sharp/flat.


BLACK (darkness, sold, ink, holes): Black is shadow, sharpness, depth, thickness, and fullness. It may be used to symbolize 1)security/professionalism as well as 2)secrecy/ignorance/evil.