Room 45

45.1
The Dutch word for ‘fluorescent green’ is ‘gifgroen’: literally ‘poison green’. Since the Middle Ages, green has been associated with witches, fools, envy and disease. Green was a difficult colour to make and it faded quickly. It was associated with capriciousness, poison and even evil.

In nature, green symbolises growth and change. Green has therefore become symbolic of change in all areas: youth, love, hope, happiness, gaming, profit and money.

In fashion, green is often associated with youth and spring. During the Romantic era, green was associated with nature and therefore with freedom, health, hygiene, sports and ecology. Today, green is mostly associated with environmentalism and health. Green is also associated with ecological ‘green’ fashion.
 

45.2
Because there is no mention of green or blue in classical Greek literature, it was long believed that the Greeks were unable to see these colours. However, it is more likely that they did not mention these colours because they did not attach any significance to them.

For Muslims, paradise is synonymous with a garden. Green attained important status in the Islamic world from the twelfth century onwards. It symbolises happiness, wealth, water, heaven and hope. 

Together with white, green was also the favourite colour of the prophet Mohammed. Because of this special status, green features in the flags of many predominantly Muslim countries.