Saudi Gazette As the spirit of National Day continues, people living in Saudi Arabia unanimously agree that green is the king of all colors. The festivities may be over but we can still see cars painted green, the green Saudi flag rippling in the wind, children dressed in green t-shirts, and green lights adorning buildings at night. Green is the color that symbolizes life, growth, and harmony. It is the color of spring and youth. We seek out green in nature to bring tranquility and we feel at ease when looking at green grass, trees, forests, meadows, and plants. Studies show that green is the most gentle of all colors on the human eye. Environmentalists chose the color green to represent their campaign for protecting our planet and keeping it pollution and litter free. Green also has deep spiritual connotations in Islam. Green lights from the minarets of mosques light up our black night skies and green was commonly used as the color of the dome of mosques throughout the Islamic world. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) wore a green turban and his favorite color was green. It is the color that represents giving and spreading good among people. The dwellers of Paradise will be dressed in green as described in the Holy Qur'an: “…therein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine and thick silk.” (18:31) Each color has certain psychological and physiological effects on people. Green brings us comfort, relaxation, and peace of mind. Green is believed to help relieve stress and it has been found that those who work in a green environment had fewer stomachaches than others. Researchers also found that green can improve reading ability and that it has a balancing effect on the heart. Hospital administrators are now designing green gardens in their hospitals to promote healing among patients and to help reduce their perception of pain. __
