书城外语那些光影飞华的魅惑(每天读一点英文)
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第32章 Spotlight on Hawaii (3)

Like death and taxes, there is no escaping color. It is ubiquitous. Yet what does it all mean? Why are people more relaxed in green rooms? Why do weightlifters do their best in blue gyms?

Colors often have different meanings in various cultures. In the U.S., researchers have generally found the following to be accurate.

Black

第一章 Spotlight on Copenhagen (3)

Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering. or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains. such as Dracula, often wear black.

White

Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.

Red

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing.

Blue

The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. 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.

Green

Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in“green rooms”to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative. and implies wealth.

Yellow

Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. Yellow enhances concentration. hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.

Purple

The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

Brown

Solid, reliable brown is the color 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 favorite colors.

Colors of the Flag

In the U.S, flag, white stands for purity and innocence. Red represents valor and hardiness. while blue signifies justice, perseverance, and vigilance. The stars represent the heavens and all the good that people strive for, while the stripes emulate the sun’s rays.

While blue is one of the most popular colors, it is one of the least appetizing. Blue food is rare in nature. Food researchers say that when humans searched for food, they learned to avoid toxic or spoiled objects, which were often blue, black, or purple. When food dyed blue is served to study subjects. they lose appetite.

Green, brown, and red are the most popular food colors. Red is often used in restaurant decorating schemes because it is an appetite stimulant.

颜色,如同死亡和税收一样,也是无处不在。那么,不同的颜色又代表了什么不同的含义呢?为什么人们在绿色的房间里会感到心情舒畅?为什么举重运动员在蓝色的体育馆内表现得非常出色呢?

在不同的文化背景中,颜色所表达的意义也有所不同。在美国,研究者对颜色的含义进行了精准的描述。

黑色

黑色是权威与权力的象征。它之所以是时装的流行色,是因为黑色的衣服使人看起来更苗条。黑色是永恒的时尚。黑色也意味着服从。神父身着黑色象征着对上帝的恭顺。一些服装设计师说,一个女人身着黑色意味着对男人的服从。黑色套装会使人感到难以抗拒,也会令人感到冷漠或邪恶。像德古拉,这个吸血鬼的化身,经常身着黑色。

白色

新娘身披白色婚纱,是天真和纯洁的象征。白色,因其明快、中性和随和而流行于世。但白色易脏,因此与其他颜色相比更难保持清洁。医护人员身着白色暗示着洁净无菌。

红色

红色是最具有激情的颜色,能加快人的心跳和呼吸。红色也是爱的色彩。红色服装引人注目,使穿着者显得厚重。由于其色彩过于艳丽,不适于在谈判或对抗性活动中穿着。红色轿车是窃贼的首选目标。在美化装潢方面,红色常是着重强调的色彩。装潢师说,因为红色会引起人们的注意,所以红色的家具会很理想。

最具浪漫色彩的是粉红色,它更能让人感到温馨。

蓝色

蓝色是天空和海洋的颜色,是最受人们喜爱的色彩之一。蓝色和红色相对应,宁静的蓝色会使人体产生令人镇定的化学物质。因此其适合用于卧室。时装顾问建议在面试时身着蓝色衣服,因为它代表着忠诚。人们在蓝色的房间内工作效率会更高。研究表明,举重运动员在蓝色场馆内的表现更佳。

绿色

目前,绿色是最时尚的装饰颜色,绿色代表着大自然。绿色使人安逸,令人振奋。人们在准备录节目的时候,坐在“绿色的房间”里,能放松心情。医院里通常是绿色基调,因为它会缓解病人的痛苦。中世纪的新娘身着绿色象征着她们的生育能力。墨绿色代表着阳刚、传统和财富。

黄色

欢快的金黄能吸引人们的注意力。人们把它看成是乐观向上的颜色。在黄色的房间里,人们更容易发脾气,婴儿也更容易哭闹。因为黄色能提高人们的注意力,所以它被用于警示牌。黄色还能加速人体的新陈代谢。

紫色

紫色代表着王室,意味着华贵、财富和权威。可是,在大自然中这种颜色很少见,所以紫色可能是人造的色彩。

棕色

在大自然中,坚固、结实的棕色是大地的色彩。它随处可见。树木和皮革的颜色接近于深褐色,而浅棕色才是正宗的棕色。棕色也能给人带来忧伤和渴望。男人更倾向于把棕色作为他们最喜欢的颜色之一。

旗帜的颜色

在美国国旗中,白色代表纯洁和天真。红色代表勇气和顽强,而蓝色象征正义、不屈不挠和机警。星星代表天堂和为美好未来而奋斗的人们,条纹代表太阳的光芒。

食物的随想

尽管蓝色是最受欢迎的颜色之一,但它同时也是最不能引起食欲的颜色之一。在自然界,蓝色食品是非常稀有的。食物研究人员说,当人们在寻找食物时,他们学会了避开有毒的或是腐烂的食物,而这些食物的颜色通常就是蓝色,黑色或紫色。每当看到食物呈蓝色时,他们就没了胃口。

绿色,棕色和红色是最流行的食物的颜色。餐馆在装修时,经常选用红色,因为红色能刺激人们的食欲。

正确选择宴会服装

越来越多的派对、宴会请柬特意标明“请穿着正式服装”。这时,为自己置备几套正装,就显得尤为必要了。而若是突然遇到必须着正装的场合,脑海中备着以下几招,更是有用,即挑选黑色永不落伍;配件作用不可小觑;小背心最是管用;懒人赴会中装讨巧;拒绝所有卡通。

实战提升

Practising&Exercise

单词注释

ubiquitous [ju:5bikwitEs] adj. 到处存在的,普遍存在的

stylish [5stailiF] adj. 时髦的,流行的

heartbeat [5hB:tbi:t] n. 心跳

purity [5pjuEriti] n.纯净,清洁

实用句型&词组

I am used to walking to school. ( 习惯于)

She should be here any minute. ( 可能,该)

The country is abundant in natural resources. ( 丰富的;富裕的)

翻译行不行

颜色,如同死亡和税收一样,也是无处不在。

白色,因其明快、中性和随和而流行于世。

蓝色是天空和海洋的颜色,是最受人们喜爱的色彩之一。