Color and symbolic meaning of elements in nature

Colors effectively communicate visual images, enabling the association of ideas and symbolic meanings based upon individual senses and experiences. The premise of this study is that colors stimulate interest in the aesthetics and significance of nature when they are applied to nature. Thus, the goal of this study is to convey the importance of nature through the colors of the four elements: air, water, earth, and fire. This article analyzes the application of colors and symbolic meanings of the four elements in art history, paintings, and fashion trends and examines whether they effectively represent nature. Finally, the four elements are represented by four color palettes. These colors may convey the image of nature and play an important role in shaping people's values that form aesthetic awareness and interests in nature. (C) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.