Global issues facing women include:

Official  International Women’s Day site – see how you can help bring about change in the world.

Photograph by web/graphic designer Melanie Cook, used with permission. Thank you!

People have fun by smearing each other with paint and throwing coloured water at each other, all done in a spirit of celebration. White clothes are worn, which makes the paint show up more. Bonfires are lit and parents make sure they carry their babies to protect them from any demons.

The Legend of Prahalad and Holika is the main Holi story concerning the female demon Holika (the King’s sister) and Prahalad (the King’s son). The king wanted everyone in his kingdom to worship him. However his son, Prahlad refused to and worshipped Lord Vishnu instead…

Cross-cultural differences in colour meanings are sometimes the least of our worries when communicating internationally. I have just finished off an article which is to appear in the next edition of Winning EDGE magazine for the Insitute of Sales and Marketing. In it, I caution marketers to know their target audience as different cultures ascribe various meanings to colours. How easy is it to convey the wrong meaning by getting colour choice wrong? 

White in the west symbolises brides, angels, good guys versus funerals and death in the East; black in the West symbolises death, funerals and bad guys versus a colour for young boys in China and restoring balance in Chakra energy (Indian medicine). Then I went on a hunt to find out more. This is what I found out…

I have given the most common meaning ascribed to colours by the Anglo-Saxon cultures: U.S., U.K.,  New Zealand, Australia, then listed other information that I have unearthed.

THE COLOUR RED

RED is the colour of LOVE and used profusely around 14th February for St. Valentine’s Day and at Christmas (Dec 25th). People who wear red or buy red cars are seen as wanting to stand out from the crowd. London buses are famously red.

Other meanings: energy, strength, passion, eroticism, cheerfulness, courage, element of fire, career goals, fast action, lust, desire, blood, vibrancy, driving forces, risk, fame, love, survival, war, revolution, danger, aggression, strength, power, determination, emotional intensity, sex, provoking, dynamic, stimulating, courage, bravery, good-tasting, force, leadership, drama, excitement, speed, heat, warmth, violence, attention, generosity, romance.

European : Danger (stop signs), love (hearts), excitement, bargains or cheap (for sale signs).    China : Traditional bridal colour, good luck, celebration, happiness, joy, vitality, long life, summoning, the direction South. Chinese saying goes “when something is so red, it is purple” – red purple brings luck and fame.      Japan : life.  India : Purity.  Eastern : Joy (with white).  Hebrew : sacrifice, sin.  Christian : sacrifice, passion, love.   UK/USA : Christmas (with green), Valentine’s day (with white).   South Africa : Mourning.   Australian aboriginals : the land, earth, ceremonial ochre.   Cherokees : success.  Hopi : the direction South.  Romans : Red flag signified the onset of battle.  Celtic : Death, afterlife.   Feng Shui : Yang, Fire, good luck, money, respect, recognition, protection, vitality.

THE COLOUR BLACK

BLACK is the colour of authority and power. Often worn by villains, such as Dracula, in films. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Black cabs/taxis are a famous feature of London.

Other meanings: protection, repelling negativity, binding, shapeshifting, power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, classy, wealth, power, mystery, fear, evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, underground, modern music, space, high quality, bad luck, formality, reservedness, dignity, elegance, secretiveness, fear of the unknown, night, emptiness, dirtiness, sophistication, strength of character, dramatic, authority, prestige, grief, anger, reliability, strong, classic, strength, anti-establishment, modernism, serious.

European : Funerals, death, mourning, rebellion, cool, restfulness.   China : Colour for young boys.  Thailand : Bad luck, unhappiness, evil.   India: restoring metabolic balance in Chakra energies. Judaism : Unhappiness, bad luck, evil.   Australian Aboriginals : colour of the people, ceremonial ochre.  Feng Shui : Yin, Water, money, income, career success, emotional protection, power, stability, bruises, evil.

THE COLOUR BLUE

BLUE: The colour of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colours. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

Other meanings: good fortune, communication, wisdom, protection, spiritual inspiration, calmness, reassurance, gentleness, fluidity, water, sea, creativity, peace, calming, higher thoughts, mystery, sky, formality, travel, devotion, progress, quiet wisdom, freedom. betterment of humanity, love, trust, loyalty, intelligence, reassurance, artistry, compassion, inner strength, devotion, depression, sadness, tranquility, stability, unity, truth, understanding, confidence, acceptance, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, comfort, cold, technology, devotion, harmony, depth, faith, heaven, piety, sincerity, precision, intellect, sadness, consciousness, speech, messages, ideas, sharing, cooperation, idealism, sincerity, empathy, relaxation, affection, inspiration, friendship, patience, contemplation, infinity, harmony, non-threatening, dependability

European : soothing, “something blue” is a bridal tradition – but usually pale blue.  Cherokees : defeat, trouble.    Iran : mourning.   China : immortality.   Colombia : soap.    Hinduism : the colour of Krishna.   Judaism : holiness.    Christianity : Christ’s colour.   Catholicism : colour of Mary’s robe.   Middle East : protection.   Worldwide : ’safe’ colour.   Feng Shui : Yin, Water, calm, love, healing, relaxation, peace, trust, adventure, exploration

THE COLOUR WHITE

WHITE: Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. Babies are often bought white clothes, especially before they are born when the gender is unknown. White reflects light and is considered a summer colour. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.

Other meanings: spirituality, goddess, peace, higher self, purity, virginity, reverence, simplicity, cleanliness, humility, precision, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, sterility, cold, clinical, sterility, clarity, perfection, innocence, virginity, goodness, light, fairness, safety, positivity, faith, coolness, charity, successful innovations, union, self-sacrifice, holiness, feminine divinity, pristine, chastity, positivity.

European : Marriage, angels, hospitals, doctors, peace, milk.    Japan : Mourning, white carnation means death.   China : Death, mourning.   India : Unhappiness.   Eastern : Funerals.    Feng Shui : Yang, Metal, death, mourning, ancestal spirits, ghosts, poise, confidence.

THE COLOUR GREEN

GREEN symbolizes nature. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. Dark green was also a favourite colour for early automobiles.  Seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck. In English we talk about people being ‘green with envy’.

Other meanings: earth mother, physical healing, monetary success, abundance, fertility, tree & plant magic, growth, food, hope, personal goals, resurrection, renewal, youth, stability, endurance, freshness, nature, environment, tranquil, refreshing, quiet, hope, immortality, health, healing, good luck, renewal, youth, jealousy, inexperience, trees, grass, vigour, growth, harmony, responsiveness, generosity, safety, envy, misfortune, quietude, compassion, renewal, moderation, nurturing, diplomacy, calm, contemplation, joy, love, abundance, balance, self-control, inexperience, hope, good omens, soothing, sharing, dependability, friendliness.

European/USA : Spring, new birth, go, safe, environmental awareness – all safety signs in the European Unnion are green, Saint Patrick’s Day, Christmas (with red).   China : Exorcism, green hats indicate a man’s wife is cheating on him.  Japan : Life.    Islam : Hope – the cloak of the prophet was thought to be green, virtue – only those of perfect faith can wear green.   Ireland: Symbol of the entire country, Catholics.   USA : Money.   Feng Shui : Yin, Wood, growing energy, refreshing, nurturing, balancing, harmony normalising, healing, health, peaceful, calming.

THE COLOUR YELLOW 

YELLOW signifies sunshine, the bach, holidays and cheerfulness. It is an attention getter. It is an optimistic colour. Yellow is often used as the colour for legal writing pads. Taxis/cabs in the US are often yeallow.

Other meanings: sun, intelligence, light, accelerated learning, memory, logical imagination, social energy, cooperation, organisation, breaking mental blocks, sunshine, joy, happiness, intellect, energy, cheerfulness, optimism, purity, enthusiasm, warmth, honour, loyalty, mental force, clarity, perception, understanding, wisdom, dishonesty, betrayal, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, disease, weakness, caution, cowardice, follower, curiosity, mellowness, confidence, humour, dreams, creativity, desire to improve, action, idealism, optimism, imagination, hope, summer, philosophy, uncertainty, restlessness, glory, enlightenment.

European : Hope, joy, happiness, hazards, cowardice, weakness.   Asia : sacred, imperial.   China : Nourishing, royalty.   Egypt : Mourning.   Japan : Courage.   India : Merchants.   Buddhism : wisdom.   Feng Shui : Yang, Earth, auspicious, sunbeams, warmth, motion .

THE COLOUR PURPLE

PURPLE is the colour of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic.

Other meanings: influence, third eye, psychic ability, spiritual power, self assurance, hidden knowledge, dignity, high aspirations, royalty, spirituality, nobility, ceremony, mystery, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, sophistication, cruelty, arrogance, intuition, dreams, unconscious, invisible, telepathy, empathy, imagination, deja vu, universal spirit, spiritual connection, deeper truth, nobility, wealth, extravagance, dignity, independence, magic, creativity, energy, self-confidence, ego, ambition, fame, luxury, big profits, richness, sensuality, elegance, contemplation, meditation, majesty, lesbianism, Wicca, New Age spirituality, paganism, conceit, arrogance, nausea.

 European : Royalty.   Thailand : Mourning.   Catholicism : Mourning, death, crucifixion.   Feng Shui : Yin, spiritual awareness, physical and mental healing.

THE COLOUR BROWN

BROWN: solid, reliable brown is the colour of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favourite colours.

Other meanings: friendships, special events, earth, materialistic thoughts, hearth, home, outdoors, inexpensive, reliability, credibility, comfort, endurance, stability, simplicity, comfort, longevity, intimacy, tranquility, masculine, nurturing, contentment, strength, sensuality, productivity, passivity, fertility, generosity, dirt, substance, practicality, hard work.

Colombia : discourages sales.   Australian Aboriginals : colour of the land, ceremonial ochre.  Feng Shui : Yang, Earth, industry, grounded.

THE COLOUR ORANGE

ORANGE in the USA depicts deceit and distrust. It is one of American’s least favourite colours, often signifying ‘cheap goods’. Orange is often used at Halloween time (with black) as it is the colour of a pumpkin (october 31st). In Europe, however, bright orange is often associated with health and well-being because of its link with citrus fruits.

Other meanings: warmth, energy, balance, enthusiasm, vibrancy, vitality, expansiveness, flamboyance, excitement, business goals, property deals, ambition, career, goals, general success, justice, legal matters, selling, action, attention-grabbing, the sun, friendly, inviting, intense, joy, strength, endurance, steadfastness, tropics, quick movement, wealth of the mind and knowledge, charity, growing things, fascination, friendliness, happiness, beginnings, heat, creativity, autumn, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, courage, earth, mental and appetite stimulatant, emotional lift, assurance, social force, health, warmth, attractiveness, cheerfulness, mood-lightening, uninhibited, independence, amiability, constructiveness, self-assuredness, cheap, low-budget, fun kids colour, youth.

 European : Autumn, creativity, harvest.   Netherlands : Favourite colour (House of Orange).   Ireland : Protestants.   USA : Halloween, cheap goods.   Hinduism : Saffron (peachy orange) is a sacred colour.   Feng Shui : Yang, Earth, strengthens concentration, purpose, organization

THE COLOUR PINK

PINK  is a colour associated with little girls and all things feminine. 

Other meanings: Romance, love, friendship, femininity, truth, passivity, good will, emotional healing, peace, calming, affection, emotional maturity, caring, nurturing, sweet tasting, sweet smelling, ethereal, delicacy.  Pale pink : sweetness of youth, fragility.  Vibrant pinks : high spirits, energy, youth

European : Feminine colour, baby girls.   East India : Feminine colour.   Japan : Popular with both sexes.   Korea : trust.   Feng Shui : Yin, love
 

Valentine’s Day was a festival of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno, the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, the Feast of Lupercalia began.

Young men and women lived strictly separate lives. However, one of the customs for young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl’s name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he picked. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry.

Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius the Cruel encountered difficulty in getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed the reason was that roman men did not want to leave their loved ones or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. Saint Valentine was a priest in Rome at this time and he and Saint Marius aided Christian martyrs and secretly married couples. Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about the year 270. At that time, there was an ancient custom in Rome to celebrate the Feast of Lupercalia, in February, in honour of a heathen god.

On this occasion, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed. The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavoured to do away with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of saints for those of maidens. As the Lupercalia began about the middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine’s Day for the celebration of this new feast. The custom of young men choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons for the coming year, arose in this way.

In preparation, Chinese houses are cleaned from top to bottom, which is a ritual which is supposed to sweep away all traces of bad luck. Doors and windowpanes are often given a new coat of paint, usually red, then hung with paper decorated with themes such as happiness, wealth and longevity printed on them. New Year’s Eve is perhaps the most exciting part of the holiday festival - traditions and rituals are very carefully observed in everything from food to clothing. Dinner is usually a feast of seafood and dumplings, signifying different good wishes. Delicacies include prawns, for liveliness and happiness, dried oysters for all things good, fish dishes or Yau-Yu to bring good luck and prosperity, Fai-chai (Angel Hair - an edible hair-like seaweed) to bring prosperity, and dumplings boiled in water (Jiaozi) signifying a long-lasting good wish for a family.  It is customary to wear something red as this colour is meant to ward off evil spirits. But black and white are frowned on this particular evening. After dinner, families sit up for the night playing cards, board games or watching television programmes dedicated to the occasion. At midnight, fireworks light up the sky.

History tells us that Japan’s first ruler was Emperor Jimmu, a descendant of the Sun Goddess, who was crowned on 11 February, 660BC. This day is regarded as the founding of the nation. Although this is now considered to be a myth,  it was a strongly unifying idea and lead to the belief that Japan as a nation was invincible.

INDIA

Here’s a train in Lucknow, UP, India taken on July 11, 2009. Clearly an every-day case of overcrowding! See: 
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=516812&page=156

and, yet another…

But there are luxury trains to be found as in the Mahaparinirvan Special Train, luxury train travel in south India by Golden Chariot. See: 
http://navendushirali.blogspot.com/2006/02/indian-railway-case-study.html

PAKISTAN

So, just how true is the above picture of train travel in  Pakistan? 

Well, I discovered the photo on the right,  taken by Mohammad Malik, clearly showing overcrowding. However, the overcrowding was due to many pilgrims departing Multan after attending an annual, three-day religious congregation.  See: http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/04look.htm. I don’t think this can really be described as an every-day occurrence. But perhaps it is not too far from the truth.

An extremely interesting travel blog I came across
had some stunning photos of the region where the The Karokam Express train travels. Walking in the middle of nowhere was the right descritption for the picture on the left when seen in the context of the surrounding region!
See: http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Xinjiang/Kashgar/blog-401618.html  

Pictures here are of the Karokam Express train and crossing the Indo-Pakistan border.
Anyone wanting information on train travel can find it at:

http://www.seat61.com/Pakistan.htm, or:

 
 http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Pakistan/Punjab/Lahore-131005 .

CHINA

China, in wanting to prove that it’s the most promising and fast growing country in the world, has unveiled the world’s fastest long distance passenger train —the  Harmony Express. the CRH2. The new passenger carrier can achieve an average speed of some 217mph with a top speed of close to 250mph.

There are four kinds of classes available on Chinese trains: hard seats, soft seats, hard sleepers and soft sleepers. Traveling on a hard seat train is the equivalent of traveling 3rd class in a third world country. Hard seats are hard and uncomfortable and the carriages are often crowded with Chinese peasants with large bags and bundles. Because soft sleepers are considerably more expensive than other classes it is usually not very difficult to get a seat. Some have air conditioning, some don’t. The toilets are generally pretty clean and hot water is served for tea. The main drawback is that a lot of people smoke. Get the low down on travelling by train in china at:
http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=315&catid=13&subcatid=86 

 CHILE

One of the great things about Southern Chile is the fast, efficient, and cheap nature of the transport. Unlike many countries in Latin America, transportation is well regulated and safe. Public transport will get you to almost anywhere in the country you want to go, for any budget.

KOREA

The Korea Train eXpress (KTX)
is South Korea’s high-speed rail system. It is operated by Korail. The train’s technology is largely based on the French TGV system, and has a top speed of 350 km/h, limited to 300 km/h during  service for safety.

Whilst Korea may boast  super modern trains … North Korea still has net curtains at its windows. The picture here shows the K27 train that departs Pyongyang four times a week for  Beijing. there’s also a weekly departure for Moscow. See: http://www.travel-earth.com/dprk/

A recent article in The Guardian newspaper says
that North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-il – who is known for shunning air travel – has six luxurious trains equipped with reception halls, conference rooms and hi-tech communication facilities, according to a Seoul newspaper. There are also 19 stations across North Korea that exclusively serve his trains, which have a total of some 90 carriages, the Chosun Ilbo reported, citing an analysis by South Korean and US intelligence services.

 TAIWAN

 The Taiwan High Speed Rail  (known as the THSR) is a high-speed rail network that runs along the west coast of Taiwan. It is approximately 335.50 kilometers (208 mi), and runs from Taipei City to Kaohsiung City. It began operation on January 5, 2007.

FRANCE-UNITED KINGDOM

The Eurostar is a high-speed train service
connecting London and Kent in the United Kingdom, with Paris and Lille in France, and Brussels in Belgium. In addition, there are limited services from London to Disneyland Resort Paris (Gare de Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy) and seasonal destinations in France. Trains cross the English Channel through the Channel Tunnel.

And… Good Old GREAT BRITAIN!

One New Zealand newspaper reports that train travel is both expensive and confusing in Britain. Not a very good indictment when you compare our service offering compared with some of the most modern trains in the world!

Travellers to Britain should be aware. This is what the watchdog group Passenger Focus said: the structure of long-distance train fares is “complicated and not logical.”  The same train could contain passengers who had paid £150 for a ticket and others who paid just £10. The study found that flexible, last-minute tickets to London from other British cities were almost twice as expensive as comparable journeys in Germany – the next most expensive among nine countries studied – and more than three times costlier than in the cheapest, The Netherlands.

British commuter journeys were up to three times more expensive than in the other countries studied!

The day is used as an opportunity to reflect on one’s own future death.  Meditations are carried out for newly deceased friends and relatives to give them help and support wherever they might be now.  The idea that all things are transient is central to Buddhist teaching. Loss and impermanence are things to be accepted rather than causes of grief.

For further information on Parinirvana.

One of the world’s largest Māori ceremonial waka (war canoe), the Ngatokimatawhaorua, can be found at Waitangi. The enormous wooden vessel, with room for 80 paddlers and 55 passengers, is an impressive sight on the water. The 70-year-old waka has been refurbished and relaunched for the 2010 celebrations. See photos of the canoe in action

Follow the links here to get a fuller understanding about what is going on in the world:
UNICEF
Minority Rights Group International
UNHCR