Color Aesthetics: Response to Reading

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Thinking of a wedding, people always imagine a bride in her white wedding dress. White, to the bride, is a color that resembles purity. But at the same time, white is also one of the colors of funerals; in this case, white might resemble peace. Yet, not every bride around the world wears white. For instance, Chinese bride and groom both wear red, which, from my research, means joy and luck. For Japanese bride, her wedding dress is white with red linings; this two color resembles happiness and a new beginning. Colors symbolize different meanings in a wedding ceremony. A bride doesn’t have to say why she chose that color, since the colors themselves tell the meanings. As stated in the book “What color is the sacred?”, "Here colors illuminate the backdrop of myths and set the body alight during ceremonies. Colors force the object to release hidden meanings, meanings that are neither complete nor lasting, to be sure, but that can gesture, ever so obliquely, to truths that remain otherwise concealed." (Page 6)

"Here colors illuminate the backdrop of myths and set the body alight during ceremonies. Colors force the object to release hidden meanings, meanings that are neither complete nor lasting, to be sure, but that can gesture, ever so obliquely, to truths that remain otherwise concealed” p.6, this excerpt from Nietzsche tells about the effect and meaning of colors used in the ceremonies within different cultures and religions all around the world and Buddhist is one of them. Golden Buddha statue is commonly seen in Thailand such that very temple and most spiritual place have it. The reason why gold color is used to paint Buddha is because it is one of the thirty two properties of Buddha and one of that is having a bright golden yellow skin. The fact that this color is continued to be use for Buddha statue is to remind the people of Buddha as well as portraying the properties of Buddha.

Nawat Wongwan
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“Certainly color in this description by Turner is sacred, theatrical, and mysterious” (pg.8) and “…colors illuminate the backdrop of myths and set the body alight during ceremonies…” (pg.6). From these quotes we can say that certain color can be use to represent specific object and activities without the need to tell the meaning because since colors tell the meaning by itself. In Chinese religious believes and activities often associate with five colors which are green, red, white, black and yellow. Each color represents one of the five elements and these ideas are apply throughout China. Green represents wood, red represents fire, white represents gold, black represent water and yellow represent Earth. For examples, in Taoist religious activities, “Five flag of heaven army” with five colors from above are use as one of the major objects which represent balance of all elements and emperor clothing are yellow because emperor represent as the ruler of the earth.

Apisub Phupha
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The book 'What color is the sacred?' stated that, “colors are thought to tinge the moral and social life of mankind with their peculiar efficacies” (p. 7), which reminds of the meaning of the battleship’s color. In every country, people used the smoke colors for all their battleships, because the illusion would help to camouflage from the enemy sights in the sea. One of the example explaining why the color become international used is, in 1907, a Thai high rank solider named Krom-ma-luang-chom-porn brought cadets to a sea training for the first time on a white battleship in Indonesia. Suddenly he realized that the foreign’s battleship had used the smoke colors for their ship, so he decided to changed all the Thai battleships to smoke colors because he had awared about the effect of the color itself. By this evidence, it is clearly defined that from just a tinge of color can give out a powerful effect.

Nicha Laptaveepanya
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It been saying that the "rarest, most precious colors have always been imported from exotic places."(pg.4), and the example to this is something common in our daily life such as taxicab. The studies from University of Chicago in year 1907 shows that yellow is the easiest color to spot from a distance. And that is the reason why John Hertz, the founder of Yellow Cab Company which is one of the largest taxicab in the United States, choose to make all of vans yellow. He want to create an uniqueness for his taxicab so that it stand out in the middle of car sea. Later on, yellow became an identity color of taxicab all around the world for a decades of time. And even thought taxi comes in varieties of colors in nowadays, but yellow is still remaining as outstanding characteristic of taxi, which comes cross through everyone's mind when they think about the taxicab.

Nattakan Thiamkeerakul
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I agree with the previous post by Wajjanathon. From the quotes she mentioned from the book “What color is the sacred?”, "Here colors illuminate the backdrop of myths and set the body alight during ceremonies. Colors force the object to release hidden meanings, meanings that are neither complete nor lasting, to be sure, but that can gesture, ever so obliquely, to truths that remain otherwise concealed." (Page 6) I do believe colors have hidden meanings. Each color has its own symbolism or meaning behind it. From the example given by Wajjanathon, it is not just the weddings dress colors in different cultures that has its own symbolism but also the wedding theme colors or wedding flower colors in different cultures has its own meaning or symbolism similar to the wedding dress colors. Especially in China where color in their culture is a serious matter, in which it is true in their belief that red symbolizes joy and luck, and even life and happiness.
Another example of meanings of color during ceremonies would be in India and Nepal, the countries in which I have lived in for about five years and thirteen years respectively. Color is synonymous with the Indian culture, its belief and the way of life. In the Indian culture, they have this ceremony or festival called “Holi” which is held every year. “Holi” is a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil and a celebration of the arrival of spring and harvests to come. It’s the festival of colors, emotions, and happiness.
And what better way to express themselves than with the lively colors of rainbow? These colors in which they use in their festivals has its own messages as well. Expression of love and happiness is spread with colors.

Black color represents authoritative and powerful, which can creates strong emotion; can be overwhelming. Many cultures and countries consider black color both good and bad ways. Considering the cat, black cat in most countries represents a bad luck. The superstition of black cat crossing the path in some countries is unlucky because the black color, dating from Middle Age, could be witches in disguise which then lead to satanic beliefs. There was also a belief that if a black cat walks onto a ship and then walks off it, the ship is doomed to sink on its next trip. But for Scotland, having a black cat on your door way meant prosperity was coming your way, so does England and Japan. “..the combustible mix of attraction and repulsion towards color that brings out its sacred qualities..” (page 9). The colors itself evoke the emotion but not giving a specific definition. We could say that color represent meaning according to each person or cultures perspectives.

Pridsadang Posanakul
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“Colors force the object to release hidden meanings..” (p.6). In different culture we came across in our everyday life, we notice that these cultures is designed with colors playing very important part in them. An example to support this excerpt from Nietzsche would be the Japanese Fish Flags culture, in Japan, it’s very usual to see several of these Carp flags. These Carp’s color is used to represent different member of the family, where the Black Carp represent the father of the family. The orange-red, white-blue and pink/red are representing the mother, the son and daughter respectively. "uncivilized nations and children, have a great fondness for colors in their utmost brightness” and Goethe writing that “people of refinement avoid vivid colors in the objects around them and seem inclined to banish vivid colors from their presence altogether” (p.3). This help to explain why particular color is chosen to represent the family member, which in this case using black to show maturity and other vivid colors to represent the children, it’s possible that first this idea comes unintentionally as we human can have these emotion extract from these colors naturally.

Supanut Bunjaratravee
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Escobar states that colors “force the object to release hidden meanings, meanings that are neither complete nor lasting, to be sure, but that can gesture, ever so obliquely, to truths that remain otherwise concealed.” (Textbook, page 6) White roses are the ultimate symbol of purity and innocence however in different context it could be referred to as another meanings as well. In weddings, white roses are used to signify the pureness of a newly formed bond between lovers. Brides tend to carry a bouquet of white roses during their wedding ceremony to indicate their purity and innocence. However at funerals, white roses are used to symbolize honor, heavenliness, spiritual love and respect for the person who has passed away. It is also referred as a symbol of a holy and spiritual union between the departed soul and God in heaven. In a way, the white color of the rose brings out a different meaning that could not have been understood before pertaining to a certain scenario. The meaning of its symbolism does not lie in the object itself but rather the color of the object which signifies its importance and meaning.

Krittirat Jaroonwit
5131219821

“In the seventh century AD that color and heat were the same since colors came from fire or sunlight and because the words for them were fundamentally the same, calor and color.” (Page5). Red color can represent many things. In Western countries and especially in the old south years ago it was not acceptable for a woman to wear red as it meant she was cheap and easy. It was an insult in the South if a woman attended a party in a red dress. Today it's considered sexy and "red hot." In other countries it can mean many different things. Red is considered "luck" in Asian countries. In some places if you give a red rose to a girl or women it means you like her, but if you give them a pink or white rose that means you only want to be friends.

Kawin Niwatsakul
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Color Aesthetic
Casino
Vivid colors, which was to satisfied by primitives, resonates the reminiscence of history (as whole or individual), myth, or even religious aspects, by which create ‘sense’ through the context. I have found it the ‘people of refinement’ weren’t totally against it, or to say they just oppose to it by only their preference and opinion. This can be perceived through whether the example of French soldier’s pant to the Zouaves, scarlet cardinal’s uniform in early modern Florence which were meant to raised to disprove the ‘darkness in Europe’. Proved that, they do conceive and influenced by color which they opposed. And If the idea on the Chapter 3, where bodily knowing scrutinizes these ‘sense’ below the radar of consciousness then color could nominate so considerably in design.
I shall take an example casino’s gadgets. Firstly, Slot machines, and other mechanical games which chances of winning are so much lower comparing to table games, or card games. These machines often come in superfluous decoration and colors, and even decorated with light bulbs and symbols i.e. crowns, ornaments. The bet was also at lower stakes where it defines the types of players, analogous to the paragraph in chapter2 between the hotel bar and the subway. Beyond the appreciation of vivid colors, it is implying the metaphysical ideas such as, fate, luck and exceedingly fortune. For the tendency of beliefs of poor people is reactive and religious. Compare to businessmen, academic people, which tend to think and interact more logically, and more financially successful as well. The playing card designed to congruent to them also. At the time playing card was adopted to the western culture. Playing card portray so many symbolical implications, i.e. Queens of Hearts is believed to be a representation of Elizabeth of York, the King of Diamonds was Julius Caesar, the King of Clubs was Alexander the Great etc. It came in various colors also. Take an example of early German suite.
Green spades (leaves) and yellow diamonds (bells) with red hearts and black clubs (♣♠♥♦).
Somehow, design for playing card was simplify into red and black as the universal deck.

I have written the first paragraph for I am not so concrete about my understanding for this reading.

Patarapol Taechachokevivat
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Thai people have many sets of beliefs including all the mysterious signs and scientifically unexplainable stories. As Kawin Niwatsakul previously posted that 'RED' is considered as 'luck' in Asian countries especially the Chinese. While Thailand consists of many Chinese, not all the stories of RED are considered a good luck. "These colors are alive. As mysteries they are invoked in the seclusion of cults concerned with death..." (Textbook, Page 7). From the belief in sacred and Godly existences, Thai polices deny any RED color offering (ranging from red flowers to the ribbons holding the flowers) for the shrine of household (Sarn Pra Phoom) at the police station. With many various misfortune cases over the years happening immediately the day after the offerings, have let them with the conclusion that offering RED would be considered as offering blood and is a disgrace for the spirit shrine evoking the spirit's anger. This is still a mystery as well as the mystery of color like the book has stated "The mystery of color lies in the fact that...., while vital to human existence, it could never be understood." (Textbook, Page 16).

Yotsanan Simakorn
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According to the book "What Color is the Scared?", it is said that "Colors force the object to release hidden meanings, meanings that are neither complete nor lasting, to be sure, but that can gesture, ever so obliquely, to truths that remain otherwise concealed." and "..these colors are thought to tinge the moral and social life of mankind with their peculiar efficacies." (page6) This reminds me of the Buddha's relic called Sri Song Rak which was built as a memorial for celebrating a friendship of Thailand and Laos. There is a belief that to visit the relic, one are not allowed to wear red or bring anything red into the area, because it is believed that red represents blood from the wars. Thus, to wear red means to show disrespect towards the place. Here, color has set a social rule through its meaning. However, red for some cultures represents something good, for example, for chinese, they believe that red means luck, energy, and fire that burns bad things. So, they always have a chinese, called shrine di zhu ye, painted in red at home for bringing prosperity. Here, color makes the tradition within society.

Panivarin Kongmahasanti
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The idea of imitating colors from nature, a creation made by what Taussig claimed a “certain kind”, creates a certain kind of overpowering connection, a torrent of “power flowing from a common source in God” (Textbook, page 7). And that certain kind of connection, with no hesitation nor deny, partly because of personal interest in its history and partly from being involved ‘ritualistically’ with my academic study in architecture, is seen in the connection made by the indigenous North America tribes and their totems. (Totems are monumental structures made to worship the apical ancestor that is often being nonhuman, often depicting semiabstract animals covered in vivid and bright colors)

The indigenous North American tribes and its people are often seen as savages due to their violence and merciless in warfare, and at the same time their peacefulness from their harmonious life style with the way of nature and the respect of the animals, evidently seen by the portrayal of wild animals on their sacred totems. The use of colors seen on these totem poles suggest that they are the “men of nature” who are not afraid to express their identity as part of nature, though uneducated, they possess understanding of the strengths and power of color and how it is used to connect with their ancestors. They used vivid colors, imitated form nature, to bring life into the inanimate Totems, supported by how Walter Benjamin consider colors to be “alive” and “an animal”, and therefore the memories and respect of their ancestors since colors are considered to be less “retinal” and more of a “total bodily activity” that may “pass them into the image” (Textbook, page 6).

Also, considering what Goethe said about how “primitives” such as these “men of nature” are not the only kind that admire the “colors at its utmost brightness”, but “war does too” (Textbook, page 4). The Native Americans not only used the color of ‘nature’ to bring life into their beliefs, but to induce fear into the heart of their enemies. The tribes are famous for going to war without any armor or protection, but only the vivid colors painted on their faces to induce fear into their enemies along with their magically enhanced wildness and aggressiveness.

We can make a certain kind of conclusion out of this idea about the sanctity of color to the Native American tribes, of how they used it not only on sacred monuments but also on themselves on the battlefield, that the reason they need no armors is that they are already protected by the ancestors, their fearlessness came from the power of their respect and pride of their bloodline.

With the combination of how the idea of colors as a connection to the higher power and that the idea of how vivid colors are only admired by those close to nature, we can see that totems are not the essence of their power, but the colors, colors is their power, their beliefs, their connection, and according to Victor Turner, “colors is fundamentally involved in the making of culture from the human body” (Textbook, page 8 ) we tend to see how the idea of color is the very foundation of their culture and their lineage.

Thanbutr Huangthong
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Natchana Boonsarng
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According to a quote of the book “ What colour is sacred? ” which is colors “force the object to release hidden meanings, meanings that are neither complete nor lasting, to be sure, but that can gesture, ever so obliquely, to truths that remain otherwise concealed.” (page 6). Thousand years ago, stones are important to human for many reasons such as using stones as accessories, cosmetics, medicines, and etc. For one reason, they use stones as an amulet to protect them from the bad things. Different cultures have different believes and it depends on the identity of the stones especially colours. From my research, in ancient Egypt, Lapis Lazuli was a favorite stone for amulets. A strong blue, sometimes with a hint of violet, it was thought to be sacred to the star goddess and it was the symbol of the power and the honor. Another example, in china, Jade was considered as sacred stones. It is an emerald green color. The Chinese used jade the stone of immortality, in worship and burial. They also believed that jade, if worn, could heal physical ailments and ward off evil, and misfortunes. So, the colours have a lot of meaning depends on the culture.

Chayan Satheerasilapin
513 12679 21 ADME

The colors always gives a special feeling and usually are selected to communicate a message. The most important factor for me to think about is that colors are interpreted differently depending on what culture you in. These colors are alive. As mysteries they are invoked in the seclusion of cults concerned with death. (Textbook, Page 7). For death color involve in many culture like black is the color of mourning in many European cultures. During Funerals you are typically supposed to wear black to show mourning for the death of the person. In East Asia, white is similarly associated with mourning.

Jarrunon Chuchart
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"Women wearing white, the men, black. " p3. From these quote the White color is the color of purity. White means kindness. White daisies are a symbol of loyal love. White is not a color, but the manifestation of the presence of all color - the complete energy of light. It stands for wholeness and completion. In many cultures it represents openness and truth. White clothing can also point towards a higher social status, and looks very preppy. So for women in every century still believe in the sensation of this color and it suitable with the ladies which the meaning of the color will support them well, wholesome impression. In the other hand while white reveals, black conceals. It has come to mean hidden, fearful or bad experience. It is linked to the unknown or the unseen. But dress in black if you want to become inconspicuous. Black is also used in clothing to make a bold statement of mystery and self control , and sometime black can provided the sensation of elegant and mysterious, so black suggests elegance, authority and power. When worn properly, black clothing also conveys neatness, simplicity and great versatility.

Bhagmati Chotiko 5234785225

Every color has its own unique meaning which is expressed without the use of words. As the book says “ Colors force the object to release hidden meaning, meanings that are neither complete nor lasting, to be sure, but that can gesture, ever so obliquely, to truths that remain otherwise concealed”. For the colors of the rose, each color has different meaning that is told to others without saying. We understand and can catch the feeling of the givers. We can say that red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance, and a time-honored way to say “I love you”. However, the meanings associated with them can be traced back many centuries ago. In Greek and Roman mythology red roses were closely tied to the goddess of love. Many early cultures used red roses to decorate marriage ceremonies and they were often a part of traditional wedding attire. Through these practices, red roses became known as a symbol for love and fidelity. In the case of yellow roses, they evoke a feeling of warmth and happiness. The warm feelings associated with the yellow roses are often akin to those shared with a true friend. These are just a few examples of how hidden meanings are concealed with the color of the rose. Color can differentiate the meanings of the same exact object, in this case roses.

Pakorn Nimityont
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John Ruskin declares in his book Modern Painter that “Colour is the most sacred element of all visible things” (Page 6). Color is the most important elements in all things, because of its ability to make things visible and comes in its unique self of ways. For an example of sacredness in things like Thai’s golden pagoda, it’s been uniquely self by its design and its golden color. Otherwise the transparent pagoda wouldn’t be as sparkling and sacred as the golden one. The sacredness of color could mean the sacredness in the recognition in people’s mind. For example, red color means fire, high temperature or good luck in Chinese beliefs and when the livings sees it, the recognition system in their minds would refer the color into variety of meaning like hot, dangerous or good luck in some belief. From all of above, the sacredness of color in visible things could make the sacred meaning or sacred belief in the minds of the livings.

Nonthachai Chinchiyanond
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Colours, as stated by Goethe, are split in two parts which are differed by the shade of them. One is dull shades preferred by the people of 'refinement' such as black and white. The other is vivid shades favoured by those of 'uncivilised nations, children, uneducated people' such as bright red, green, etc. This may makes the point that somehow colours were used as an indirect tool for discriminating people in the view of Goethe. There is an example to be made this point more explicit from page 11 of the book 'What Color is Sacred'; "All around us dark blue suits, grey pants, muted colors, ....,and much the same as it is in upstate New York, or Sydney or London or Berlin..., but not necessarily the same on the subway ride to Brooklyn, where an African American man sit unperturbed in the elegance of the vivid color he wears." What makes dull colours like black and white the colours of 'refinement' is that these basic shades reflect normality, equality, authority, simplicity. It is the way to control people in the nation by the use of these colours because they are colours that make everyone the same. This tricky use of colours spreads globally since the western nations such as the USA or the UK dominate the world. There are examples of the use of black and white in everyday life such as black suits for dealing business or white shirt for official events. These are the tradition received from the western everyone follows with no doubt.

Nathadej theveethivarak 5234735925

After I have read the book “What color is the sacred?”, I am impressed by this sentence " most precious colors have always been imported from exotic places."(page.4) This statement reminds me about the clothes for the funeral. In Thailand, we always dress in black or white when joining the funeral. I will concentrate in wearing black clothes. In the past, Thai people wear not only black or white clothes but also other cheerful color. Thai funeral also used to have some entertainment and amusement. Black clothes have been widely used in Thailand since General Plaek Pibulsonggram was Thailand’s prime minister. French archeologist presumed that this is about color issue. In the past, White races painted themselves in black when joining the funeral because they wanted to separate human with spirits. In the same way, some Africans painted their body in white which is opposite to their normal color to escape from spirit. However in this decade, we can also see this tradition in Africa. So the French archeologist thought that black clothing tradition in Thailand may be influenced by this west belief. Black clothing for funeral is not used in Thailand only, but this tradition is also used to show sadness in many other countries such as China. Therefore the statement " most precious colors have always been imported from exotic places" is reasonable.


Arnan Chansurawong
5131518421

As Michael Taussig, the author of the book "What Color is Sacred" suggested under his colonial argument, the color has two presence. "One 'presence' is people of refinement. The Other is vivid color". (Page 1-2). This concept of Otherness can be linked to the Africa Art. The Ndebele house painting is then one of the example that shows how it works for African art and culture.

This Ndebele house painting is the symbol that this group of people use to express their suffering from the war time and pass on as the communication to the Nedebele people. But one things that never express through the wall is the ritual and religion. It was painted by the women and carry through them which show the female of the household is a good wife and mother.

From the first usage of the women's fingers, they are now using the brushes. The natural colors are from something that is easy to find like black from fire ash, white from the stones, brown and yellow from cow dung and so on. These colors can connote the status and power. It can communicate in term of politic and protest as well. The colors give a intensified meaning to the Ndebele. From the pictures, there is the pattern on using the black outline for the geometric shape and a vivid color inside. The background is normally white in order to make the bright patterns stand out.

The Ndebele house painting looks so simple. But it is deeply complex with the Ndebele's culture and belief. It is reflected that color is not too basic as it seems. It can be used as a language. In this present time, this tradition still keeps on practicing yet the meaning has a little changes. Just like the color, it has been depended on the people, the place, the culture and the time.


Atthanan Piyaseth
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Ps. I sent the member request since around 9pm, but now it's not yet be activated so i decided to use my friend's member instead. And if my membership is activated, I will post again with mine. Apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

The colors of everything in the world all have their own meanings. They are created by human. I still wonder who was the first man that assigned the meaning of each color. You can simply see from our clothes.When I was in childhood, I’ve remembered that my mom always buy me clothes which have vivid color, such as cartoon t-shirt. At that time, maybe I begged her to buy it. Now I think that vivid color can improve kid’s brain skill. The girls, also women, always love to wear pink clothes, but the boys don’t like them. This is because pink color show more woman appearance. Another example is a white dove. The white dove is symbol of freedom. If the color change to black like black dove which you can see at Old Aksorn canteen, I think I will think of get away from that area. There’s one paragraph from the book which is on page 4. It talks about war between French and German. I wonder why French soldiers have to wear bright red pants into the WW I. The designers may have their own ideas. I’m sure that the colors have their own meanings.

Jessada Rojniran
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