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Greetings, Masters, Welcome back to my dance column once more. This month I have a wonderful article written for you by my twin in crime barbara{H-S}. She has decided to talk about the symbolism of color and how it can relate to dance. I hope you find the article helpful and informative. If you have any suggestions or questions please feel free to email me at iariali@hotmail.com Wishing you well till next month, I slipped on the bit of silk. I looked in the mirror and shuddered. I had been naked before men, many times, but it did not seem to me that I had been so naked as this. It was Gorean pleasure silk. Not naked, I seemed more than naked. The Symbolism of Color Color is a part of all our lives whether we see or not. We have all heard the terms, 'feeling blue', 'seeing the world through rose-colored glasses' and even 'a black mood'. Color affects us emotionally but it doesn't affect everyone the same way. Our reactions to color are both instinctive and learned. Instinctive reactions appear to be universal learned reactions are a product of cultural influence. Culture plays a large part in our perceptions and feelings about color. Goreans use color as symbolism. The five high castes all use color as part of the caste identify. Color in different settings means different things too. A man wearing a red shirt would be seen as a warrior. A slave wearing a red camisk is welcome to be enjoyed by all. Two of the instinctive color reactions that come to mind are our reactions to yellow and pink. Studies show that yellow creates feelings of anxiety and unease (if you want guests to visit and then go home, paint your guestroom yellow). Pink is a soothing color and is recommended for nursery walls for both boys and girls. Cultural views of color: White: For most of western culture, white is the color of virginity. In many Asian cultures, white is the color of mourning. It is the color of death. Goreans also use white as the color of virginity. The Caste of the Initiates marks themselves with white. Here are some of the more common emotions or states most commonly associated with white: reverence, purity, cleanliness, peace, humility, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), and death (Eastern cultures). Speaking of the color of virginity, if you travel to Greece, you'll find that blue is the color of virginity. This goes way back in history and the view of water being renewal and the source of all life. Black: Westerners view black as a somber color and perfect for mourning. Black for Goreans is the color of the assassin (and for on-line Gor, the color of the passion slave). Here are some of the more common emotions or states most commonly associated with black: power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, mourning, and death (Western cultures). Red is a very Gorean color. As stated above, a man and a girl wearing red bring two different images to the mind. Here are some of the more common emotions or states most commonly associated with red: excitement, energy, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, love, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, and all things passionate. Green is not just a color used by healers. Here are some of the more common emotions or states most commonly associated with green: nature, environment, health, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, and misfortune. Blue, the color of scribes carries much symbolism. Here are some of the more common emotions or states most commonly associated with blue: peace, tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, depression, and virginity. Yellow isn't just for builders anymore. Here are some of the more common emotions or states most commonly associated with yellow: joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, betrayal, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, and illness. Illness and yellow are very Gorean together. The only disease on Gor is plague and its victims wear yellow. There is a book dance where the dancer wears yellow beads marking her as a plague victim. Brown is the color of the peasant caste. It is also worn by slaves who belong to cities or towers, etc. Here are some of the more common emotions or states most commonly associated with brown: Earth, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, stability, simplicity, and comfort. So, how do you use this in dance? These are only a few examples of color - what comes to mind when you think of metallics? What do you wish to share with the audience? Can you use colored feathers, silks, beads or body paint to add to your imagery? I have used a cape of deep forest green to impart the image of being in the trees. I've used red beads to express a red silk barely hidden beneath a welcoming curtain. As with props and the type of dance, the message belongs to the dancer. Her job is to express that message to the best of her ability. Adding color to enhance the layers of message adds to the information being sent and can only help the audience understand your desire to please. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Master Strummer's slut, barbara{H-S}, at nuwisha1@hotmail.com .The Pleasure Slaves who served wore green Pleasure Silk, and the tops of the tables and the walls were also painted green; even the curtains on the alcoves by one wall were green. I wish you well
If you have any questions or comments please email them to dancesofgor@hotmail.com Wishing you well till next month, michele |
