Did you know that many ancient cultures like the Egyptians and Chinese practiced chromotherapy or the use of colours to heal from ailments? Interestingly, chromotherapy is still practiced and considered a holistic or alternative treatment. Red is used to excite the body and mind and to increase blood circulation. Yellow is thought to stimulate the nerves and cleanse the entire body. Orange is used to increase the energy levels and to heal the lungs. Blue is believed to soothe ailments and cure pain. Indigo is thought to alleviate skin problems. In conclusion, we find it fascinating to observe the power of each colour in the lives of people.

In movies, colour has always been a key strategy to connect with an audience’s emotions. However, the real-world relationship between colour and emotion is not so uniform. When we are sad, we ‘feel blue’. When we are angry, we ‘see red’. However, we don’t feel sad when we see a blue sky nor do we boil in rage upon seeing a glass of red wine or juice unless it spills and soils our precious clothes. Isn’t this complex yet fascinating? If you are thinking of home painting, it would be a good idea to take colours into account to set the mood and vibe you want.

Citrine

The gemstone in the picture is November’s birthstone, Citrine. A variety of quartz that ranges from pale yellow to a honey orange colour, this gem takes its name from the citron fruit because of the lemon-inspired shades. It has often been mistaken as Topaz, owing to its stark resemblance. Brazil is the largest supplier of Citrine. Other sources include France, Spain, Bolivia, Russia, Madagascar and the U.S. Interestingly, different geographies yield different shades of Citrine. The best thing about Citrine is that it is extremely durable against scratches and everyday wear-and-tear, which makes it a great option for wearable jewellery.

Topaz

The gemstone that you are looking at is Topaz. Derived from ‘Topazios’, the ancient Greek name for St. John’s Island in the Red Sea, this is the birthstone for those born in November. Some believe the word 'topaz' comes from the Sanskrit word 'tapas', which means fire. Yellow Topaz is the November birthstone colour. While pure Topaz is colourless, it can become tinted by impurities to take on any colour of the rainbow. The most prized colour is Imperial Topaz, which flaunts a vibrant orange hue with pink undertones. Although Blue Topaz is increasingly abundant in the market, it rarely occurs naturally and is often caused by irradiation treatment.

Green Catbird

The bird photographed is known as the Green Catbird. It is a robust bird with bright green wings and tail. Both the genders have distinct white spots on the otherwise green underparts. If you are inspired by the colour of this fascinating bird, you can browse through Berger's Colour Catalogue and look for green color combination for wall. It has a cat-like mewing call, sometimes sounding similar to the cry of a human baby. Its diet consists of fruit, mostly figs, flowers and other plant material. It is also known to kill baby birds to feed its young during the breeding season. Apart from that, it also eats small reptiles.

Ahaetulla Nasuta

This incredible creature that you are staring at is called Ahaetulla Nasuta. It is also known as Sri Lankan green vine snake. It is easily distinguished from other snakes by its long and pointed snout and oval eyes with horizontal pupil. It lives in low bushes, shrubs, and trees in lowland forest terrain, particularly near streams, tropical dry deciduous forests, hill forests, and mangroves. It is also often found near human settlements. It is difficult to spot this snake due to its excellent camouflage and its incredible ability to stay still. Truly a nature’s wonder!