Dragon Colors

Green Dragons

First, this article will explore the symbolism of green in world cultures, then specifically relate that symbolism to dragons and serpents.

• The Symbolism of the Color Green
• Summary of Symbolism of the Color Green
• Green Dragons
• Footnotes
• Dragon Colors

Green symbolizes both life and death because green can be both found in the newness of life in the Spring as well as in putrefaction after death.^1,5 In Medieval Europe, green became the color of criminals,⁴ and it was associated with Satan.³ It was also considered unlucky to wear green.³

In many traditions, green has had important implications with fertility and superhuman powers of rebirth.³ For its connection with plant life, green has strong associations with growth and awakenings² as well as abundance.¹ As green is prominent in the springtime, the color came to symbolize hope in immortality, of things beyond the cyclical seasons.⁴ Green also represents the negative aspects of newness, such as naivety, immaturity, inexperience or even unripe foods.¹

The Ancient Egyptians feared cats with green eyes, possibly because of the color's relationship with superhuman powers.³

In the Islamic tradition, green is considered the most important color, for Mohammed's green cloak symbolized paradise and spiritual refreshment.³ Green symbolizes perfect faith.⁶ That is why, in India, the color green is associated with Islam specifically.⁶

For the Irish, green has been associated with the entire country, and also with specifically Catholic Irish traditions.⁶

In Japan, green is a symbol of life⁶ and the spring.² In China, green also represents the spring.² One of the Chinese Animals of the Four Directions is the Green Dragon, which represents the power of the East,⁷ whose element is wood.⁸ In other parts of the East, green symbolizes health, peace, and eternity.⁶ In the West, green represents the spring and money.⁶

Feng Shui uses green for its nurturing, balancing, and healing energies, as well as for it growing energy. Green is associated with the element wood and is a part of the passive Yin aspect.⁶

Green has been used in modern psychology for both mental and physical relaxation.⁶ Green has also been proven to help with anxiety and depression.⁶ In Jungian psychology, green symbolizes the function of sensation of immediate, tangible items and objects.⁵

The association with green with nature draws a symbolic link between a green dragon and the mother goddess, a symbol of life, death, and rebirth.

The Green Dragon of the East, one of the Animals of the Four Directions in China, symbolizes the East and the spring. His element is wood, and the Green Dragon brings regenerating rains. The Green Dragon embodied the active Yang principle, a positive force of weather.⁸

All of the dragon graphics on this page were created by Donna Quinn.

1. Stevens [Ariadne's Clue] 149
2. O'Connell and Airey 114
3. O'Connell and Airey 115
4. Lanse 7
5. Cirlot 53
6. Visual Color Symbolism Chart by Culture
7. Roberts [Chinese] 3
8. Roberts [Chinese] 49

For more information about footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.