Green

one of the seven colors of the spectrum. A yellow light can be resolved into a red and a green or may be produced by blending a red light and a yellow; but a green light cannot be produced by blending other lights, nor can it be resolved into two lights. It is called, therefore, one of the primary colors of the spectrum. A green pigment--coloring material--may be produced usually by mixing a yellow and a blue pigment; but it is an error to say that green is a mixture of these--blue and yellow. Green, then, occupies a central position in the spectrum. As compared with other colors, the waves are of average length. For this reason, no doubt, green is the easiest color on the eye. Fortunately, it is the color of nature. The green of foliage is due to the action of light on the chlorophyll in the leaf cells. In art, green forms a grateful background, the best for a mixture of colors. In tradition, green is the color of repentance. Green is the sacred color of Islam. No matter what color may be worked into the figures and ornamentation, the background of the prayer-rug is green. Some of the more noted greens are aldehyde green and aniline green, derived from coal tar; verdigris, obtained by exposing copper to the action of vinegar; emerald green; and paris green. Lincoln green was so called from the excellent success of the wool dyers of Lincoln, England. It was a favorite color with foresters and green shaw men. See Color