Why is Money Green Instead of Purple?
I learned a long time ago that being outside and in nature was good for my mental health. What I didn’t know was exactly why. Obviously the fresh air and opportunities for dopamine-producing activities were pluses, but was there more to it than that? Is there something else about this view from my backyard that helps me stay sane?
(Do I sound like Carrie Bradshaw right now?)
Green really is everywhere
I probably don’t have to tell you that the color green is associated with nature and all things fresh and new. It also suggests health, renewal, harmony and youth, Someone who is considered “green” doesn’t have much experience doing whatever they’re doing. Green also connotes money, finance, banking, ambition and jealousy, hence the terms “green with envy,” “greener pastures,” and “the grass is always greener on the other side.”
Green is also thought to be healing, restful, and relaxing. It sits smack dab in the middle of the color spectrum where our perception is apparently at its best. Our nervous systems can relax a bit when surrounded by green because it takes less strain to perceive it. This is why hospitals, schools and workspaces use a lot of green. This is also why we should spend more time outside. “Green rooms” are historically spaces were performers would go to relax before or after being subjected to the bright lights of the stage. They still exist, but I don’t think they’re all painted green anymore.
It’s usually darker greens that symbolize money, greed and ambition and lighter greens that give off a more youthful, energetic vibe. Yellow greens suggest sickness and jealousy, while olive green is the traditional color of peace.
Lastly green means go because it’s associated with safety, especially with regards to drugs and medical products. And food. And while driving.
But, why, you ask, is our money green?
The reason money is green in the US goes back to the late 19th century when counterfeiters would scratch off the ink from faded bills to change the dollar amounts or even photograph bills to pass the images off as real. As it turned out, green ink, which was plentiful at the time, mixed with the black ink was less likely to fade making it more difficult for the bad guys to scratch out the old numbers. Moreover, green wouldn’t show up in black and white photographs, which were the only kind available.
Green and Nonprofits
As you can imagine, it’s not hard to find businesses and organizations that rely on green for their branding. Since the eighties when the environmental movement blew up, anything and everything related to the environment became green, which, honestly, got pretty old pretty quick.
Because of that I really wanted to share some organizations that were completely unrelated to nature, but they were difficult to find.
Save the Rainforest
Save the Rainforest (or at least that’s what I think this organization is) is not messing around with their use of green. They’ve incorporated a number of different greens with one being just straight up Green (according to my sources) and another very dark and rich green called Sacramento green. Apparently Sacramento State University adopted this color because of how green the city is, and it seems to have stuck. Regardless, this website is amazing. If you click on the circles, they open up to a live feed of that location. Very cool.
Girl Scouts
The Girl Scouts say that green is in their DNA. Their green is even called Girl Scout Green. They believe that being outside is a catalyst for growth and learning to lead, and, as a former Outward Bound instructor, I’m here for it. As far as I’m concerned, they have every right to claim their own green, and they can keep right on using it as much as they want to.
Plant Chicago
My favorite greens of the day are from Plant Chicago’s website. While they’re not using greens you’d traditionally associate with things you plant, they win in my book for being unique. They’re using a combination of a gorgeous light Jade/Emerald green and a darker Sea green. I also love the green tint they’ve applied to the photos. And the design most definitely does not suck.
While I failed in my mission to share only organizations NOT related to the environment, I still think there are lots of greens that can be used for organizations and businesses outside of the environmental sector. If you want to talk about how, let me know.
