MEANING OF RED/GREEN

After sifting through more than 350 proposed symbols submitted by Kenyans — including forks, spoons, trees and even the moon — the poll managers finally gave their verdict: the word YES on a green background for those supporting the proposed constitution, and the word NO on a red background for those opposing it.

In the 2005 referendum, the Banana stood for ‘Yes’ and the Orange for ‘No’.

Propaganda machinery

This time, the Interim Independent Electoral Commission is calling for restraint, amid fears that the propaganda machinery on both sides will go into overdrive to paint each other with as much negative connotations of the colours.

“It was a difficult choice; all symbols have their negative and positive side, but we urge both sides to be tolerant, and not use the colours to belittle one other,” said an IIEC commissioner, Ms Winnie Nguchu.

Yet beyond the politics of ‘Yes’ and ‘No’, in terms of patriotism, both colours appear on Kenya’s national flag — red for freedom, green for the land.

Internationally, red is considered warm. For lovers, it is the colour of passion, the choice colour for Valentines’ Day.

Experts recommend red gemstones for people with sexual dysfunctions: it stimulates vitality and energy.

In China, red is the perfect colour to paint on the doorway if you want to attract joy and prosperity.

According to Crystal-Cure.com, adding some red to your life brings an added dose of energy, confidence and a sense of security. But the colour has its dark side. It is the colour of anger, and is attached to Mars, the planet of war.

And although it is largely associated with lover’s day, red does not represent love. Rather, it is regarded as the symbol of lust. Its warmth too, has an antithesis; it is the symbol of heat, of the flames.

Politically, red has already earned a place in the annals of history — from the exploits of the Red armies of Russia, to the current political row in Thailand, hence the red shirts.

But the ‘Yes’ side will probably want to stress the nature side of green — the colour of nature, representing fertility, healing, and life itself.

Green is regarded world-over as a safe colour, a symbol of harmony, self-respect and well-being.

It is one of those colours that have very little said about negative connotations (hence its credentials as the safe colour), although on the political front, it came to symbolise “green” government policies not necessarily backed by everyone.

The Americans have their greenback, making green the colour of money. Ancient Egypt especially liked green, largely for its fertility connotations; their women even wore green eyeliners.

On the negative side, green is associated with envy (as in the expression ‘green-eyed monster’). It is also associated with naïvetè (as evidenced in the expression “greenhorn”).

The colour is also linked to the state of being unripe, especially when referring to plants. It is also used to refer to aliens.

So who wears green? According to the colour experts, well-balanced people, with a desire for change, wear it. These people seek to transform and sustain change; they love freedom and are forever seeking protection from fear and anxiety.

Politically, the green parties are active in Europe and the US, especially with their passion for the environment and social justice.

The IIEC says it was aware of the potential for misinterpretation by either side. But the colour backgrounds were inevitable, to make civic education easier.

There may be two colours, but Kenyans should remain one people.