An exploration into colour symbolism as used by - National Centre ...

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
(China)
Perhaps the most obvious instance of colour symbolism that occurs in this film is the wedding
procession, which is resplendent in its use of red. However were you not already aware that
the Chinese traditionally dress their brides in this colour, you may well have wondered what
the procession was in aid of. To a Western audience, even this strikingly bold use of colour
could in fact appear meaningless, particularly if the reference to the main character’s recent
engagement earlier in the film was missed.
There are however plenty more symbols that are more subtle and perhaps not apparent to all
viewers. The Green Destiny sword for example holds an
important significance. Green is the colour of life, and to
the Chinese it represents growing energy and thus
regeneration and transition. This is appropriate to the
changes that the main characters undergo, particularly the
young girl Jen. Furthermore, the use of green jade for Jen’s
comb and the in name Jade Fox is significant because to
Taoists jade symbolises perfection and immortality.
Figure 29: The characters Jen and Lo
before they have fallen in love
When she is depicted in the desert, we see Jen dressed in white (see Figure 29), but after she
falls in love with Lo (“Dark Cloud”) she appears in red. In the West this particular colour
transition from white to red is often used as a symbol of innocence being lost or tainted, and is
seen in many films such as “The Go-Between”. This prominent use of the colour red can be
©Laura Dilloway, NCCA 2006 35