Green guys and gals, it’s your turn to shine. Or should we say ... slime? The color green has symbolism that may shed a light into your personality, especially if it's your favorite color.
“Green is a color inherently linked to nature. It represents growth and renewal, and it is a very harmonious color which imbues a sense of serenity and calmness, especially when used in an interior scheme,” says Sonya Winner, founder, creative director and colorist of Sonya Winner Studio, an interior design studio based in London.
“And as we see interior and even fashion trends influenced by biophilic design, green will be a shade we will see in abundance in 2025,” she continues, noting green’s omnipresence in particular in feng shui (the ancient Chinese practice of obtaining harmony through spatial design).
Alyssa Wilterdink, marketing director at Kohler Co., in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, notes that she and her team have taken this trend to heart, sharing that they’ve “recently rekindled our love affair with the color green,” as seen in collections such as Heritage Colors, which focuses a trio of greens: Teal, Fresh Green and Aspen Green.
Per Wilterdink, green is a timeless color, deeply rooted in nature, and offers a rich spectrum of shades that evoke both serenity and vitality. Greens “serve as striking accents or soothing neutrals, bringing a touch of nature’s tranquility and rejuvenation into any space,” she adds.
Keep reading to learn more about the meaning and psychology of green, both metaphorically (hey, jealousy), spiritually and otherwise.
What is the meaning of the color green?
Nature
Let’s recap the most obvious symbolism of green first. As Wilterdink puts it, green intrinsically embodies the essence of the natural world, evoking lush landscapes, leafy forests and the freshness of new growth.
“This color revitalizes environments with the optimism and renewal that springtime represents, making it a go-to for designs aiming to infuse a lively, organic feel,” she says.
Energy and vitality
“Green is often associated with energy and renewal, symbolizing growth, vitality and life itself,” says Wilterdink, noting that this association stems from its presence in nature, where green signifies the thriving health of plants and ecosystems.
When it comes to eye-catching shades like lime or teal, green “brings a sense of vigor and freshness, making spaces feel more alive and invigorated,” says Wilterdink.
Expanding on this sentiment, Winner says that “green is seen as very optimistic, eliciting excitement.” Winner further notes that in certain cultures, green is seen as representing prosperity and can also symbolize fertility.
Versatility
While not exactly a metaphorical meaning, design aficionados should take note of what Wilterdink calls green’s “remarkable versatility,” in that it can serve as both a vibrant accent and also a calming neutral.
“Its ability to adapt makes it a favorite for creating balanced, harmonious spaces,” she says. “This adaptability allows green to soothe and complement, whether in bold applications or subtle, understated forms.”
Along those lines, Winner says that when used in the home, soft muted shades of green are a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms — all spaces which form part of our busy lives and spaces in which we want the pace of life to slow. “We’re also seeing an uplift in darker mossy and forest greens used in the bedroom as we seek to create spaces that are cozy and cocooning,” the interior design pro adds.
Envy
Of course, we can’t do a deep dive on green without mentioning envy, or jealousy. Culturally, the “green-eyed monster” is used to refer to jealousy.
According to Dictionary.com, the expression was first seen in William Shakespeare’s “Othello,” when the character Iago said “O, beware my lord of jealousy. / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on” in Act three, Scene three.
What loving green says about your personality
Are you a jolly green giant, so speak?
Winner explains that color theory would suggest that people who favor green are very practical and analytical and because of their very calm nature.
“They think very logically and methodically and live life at a slower, more considered pace,” says Winner. “It is also said that they have a caring and nurturing personality and are very kind and highly compassionate.”
In the design space, Wilterdink comments that having green as your favorite color may reflect a personality that seeks to create spaces that are tranquil and calming. You likely gravitate towards designs that emphasize serenity and balance, favoring organic elements that bring the natural world indoors,” she continues, adding that when designing your own space, you might incorporate green tones to cultivate a sanctuary-like atmosphere, blending natural textures and soothing hues to create a retreat that mirrors your love for calm, harmonious living.
