Common Symbols, Colors, and Allusions Flashcards
Seasons
life
Spring
Rebirth, new life, hope
Summer
sexual maturity, ripening, youth, growth, knowledge
Fall
maturity/ mid-life, time running out, end of things
Winter
opposite of summer, bareness, end of life, death, sleep- except for Christmas
Black
charcoal, coal, dingy, intelligence, modernity, sophistication, death, rebellion, evil
White
ashen, bleached, ghostly, purity, virginity, marriage, truth, sincerity, innocence, coldness, surrender, horror, lack of imagination, sterile
Gray
ash, clouded, dingy, drab, stone, formality, sophistication, security, maturity, moodiness, dirtiness, age, decay, gloom
Brown
sienna, bay, sand, wood, chestnut, toast, cocoa, copper, oak, wood, bronze, tan, mature, health, earth, soil, poverty, dull, tedious, hesitation, uncertainty
Blue
azure, cerulean, cobalt, indigo, sapphire, life, water, freedom, replenishment, strength, tranquility, royalty, sadness, lack of oxygen, depression
Red
bloodshot, blush, wine, cherry, rose, vermillion, goodness, prosperity, revolt, love, passion, vitality, vigor, life, power, courage, health, anger, wrath of God, hatred, pain, war, sin, danger, death, hell
green
sea-foam, chartreuse, kelly, sage, viriam, nature, growth, renewal, envy, jealousy, inexperience
Purple
amethyst, thistle, wine, heliostrope, royalty, nobility, mystery, spirituality, creativity, beauty, moodiness, verbosity, exaggeration
Pink
blush, roseate, romance, feminity, innocence, sweetness, love, good, health, joy, happiness, pink slip (fired from job)
Yellow
Chrysler, citrine, citron, fallow, jaundiced, honey, happiness, joy, cheer, hope, remembrance, sunshine, intellect, cowardice, caution, deceit, illness
Orange
bittersweet, apricot, titian, energy, enthusiasm, creativity, warmth, luck, curiosity, stimulation, adaptability, flamboyance
Angel
messenger from God
Apple
original sin, temptation/ Eve
Bread
Life, sacrifice, forgiveness, the body of Christ
Clay
fallibility of humanity, human nature
Cross
Crucifixion, sacrifice, death, resurrection (if empty)
crown
sovereignty (rulers were chosen by God)
Dove
holiness/ purity, peace, new beginnings
Fig Leaf
shame, admission of guilt
garden
garden of eden, abundance
lamb
innocence, sacrifice, Christ figure
water
baptism, cleansing, renewal, the idea of coming another
One
unity of the holy trinity
three
3 crosses of crucifixion, holy trinity
seven
creation of the world in seven days, perfection
ten
Ten Commandments
twelve
disciples of christ
serpent
the devil, temptation
thorns
pain, suffering
tree
tree of knowledge of good and evil
Wine/blood
death, sacrifice, forgiveness, suffering, blood of christ
Chestnut t
foresight
oak
strength
pear
blossoming, fleeting nature of life
Poplar
Linked to the underworld, to pain, sacrifice, and grief, and the funeral tree; symbolizes the regressive powers of nature
Sycamore
a sign of vanity
pine
immorality (evergreen foliage)
weeds
evil, wildness, outcasts of society
flowers
beauty, youth, strength, gentleness