O KONOTACJACH KOLORYSTYCZNYCH W KULTURZE CHIŃSKIEJ: CZERWONY I ŻÓŁTY
COLOUR CONNOTATIONS IN CHINESE CULTURE: RED AND YELLOW

Summary/Abstract: Ancient peoples of China considered crimson, blue-green, yellow, white and back to be the five primary colours that gave rise to the universe and Earth. Then, according to the theory of Five Elements that make up the universe, i.e. Earth (– tu), Wood (–mu), Fire (– huo), Water (– shui ) and Metal (– jin), five directions were set: East, South, West, North and Centre to which specific colour combinations were assigned. The colours implied a number of diverse cultural concepts associated with, e.g. role of power, philosophical theories, rituals and beliefs. Gradually a new colour system came into being and became an important value in traditional Chinese culture. This article looks at the meaning of red (– hong) and yellow (– huang) and their shades, i.e. earthy yellow, light yellow and golden.

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