by Joan Inong

Created on: June 22, 2009

The world needs color. If we were to imagine a world devoid of color, what would our daily lives look like? Would we all be bland? Would there be peace?

We can think of color in two ways. First, there is the color in a scientific sense. We can see color not because something inherently has that color. For instance, we aren't really seeing a "red" apple that is already red. The apple's skin may reflect red light very well, so that our eyes are seeing mostly red when there is also purple, blue, or green in the apple.

The scientific sense of the word "color" is interesting because it tells us that color is relative. If we put that same red apple in the dark, we can't really tell whether it is red or black or blue. We know, however, that it is an apple because of its shape, and from that we can deduce that it is either red, green, or rotten. The concept of color and light is important when we think about the different colors represented by people. If we cannot be colorblind, then we can at least look at the differences that exist between us and accept those differences. For example, if we put two people of different races (and skin color) in a darkened room with the apple, they could be the same color as the apple. The only way we can tell the difference between their skin colors is if we shine line directly on them.

Color, in general, makes us happy. When springtime arrives, we immediately begin to feel happier. The flowers start to bloom, and the gloominess and dreariness of winter disappear and brings forth the beauty and color showcase of spring and summer. Autumn is also a season of color delight; the bright reds and oranges that we see on leaves and in the grass makes us feel a little sad, but also a little happy. Those fiery colors remind us that nature herself still has some life left in her, until she sleeps again for winter.

We try to reproduce nature's harmonious colors, and we mostly succeed in doing so. But, nature has an amazing ability to put colors together which complement each other. For example, when we take a look at a red rose set against leaves of green, we see two colors, red and green, that are in tension yet complementary.

We rarely think to thank the world for its beautiful colors. We take colors for granted every single day, and it is only because we have become accustomed to them. But, if we were to take colors away for one day, we would immediately begin to appreciate the impact that they have on our daily lives.

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