In art, colours play a powerful role. They have the ability to arouse emotions and create a mood. In fact, Henri Matisse is the man credited with revolutionising attitudes towards colour in art. He famously said, “When I put down green it doesn’t mean grass, and when I put down blue it doesn’t mean sky.” Before Matisse, Monet had already begun questioning descriptive colours. He was fascinated by the ever-changing shimmer of light on water. He was in turn influenced by Michel-Eugène-Chevreul who realised that colours look brighter or duller depending on the colours they are next to.

Have you ever given a thought about colours in healthcare? Did you know that the vibrations of each colour affect the mood and emotions? It is pure science when we say colours are infused with healing powers. They have the ability to influence a patients’ response towards medical care and their actual recovery as well. Chromotherapy, also known as chromatherapy or colourology, is an alternative method in medicine that describes the healing properties of colours and uses the effect colours have on us. Health problems are treated using the light of specific colours. Fascinating, isn’t it?

Navratna
Navratnas or the nine gemstones represent the nine planets on which Indian astrology is based. The word "nava" means nine and "ratna" means gem in the Sanskrit language. Though Navratna is popular, it has also been marred by blemishes. On one hand, wearing the nine gems is believed to attract good fortune while on the other, some say it is problematic. The Navratnas are not nine shades of colours but nine different colours, comprising of Ruby, Pearl, Red Coral, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Hessonite and Cat’s Eye. You can wear it in the form of necklaces, rings, pendants, bracelets, bangles and armlets.

Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral that ranges from light pink to striking bright red. It is found in few locations around the world where other manganese minerals are usually present. Rhodochrosite is sometimes used as an ore of manganese but is rarely found in economic quantities.

There are a few specimens in a wonderful pink colour that are used to produce highly desirable gemstones. Rhodochrosite is rarely found as well-formed crystals. It is known to cure depression and encourage a positive outlook. It is believed to improve self-worth and soothe emotional stress.

Spicebush Swallowtail
This fascinating creature that you are looking at is the caterpillar of spicebush swallowtail butterfly, Papilio troilus Linnaeus. It is one of the most beautiful and interesting creature on the planet. The most peculiar aspect of this caterpillar is that it looks like a small snake and a bird-dropping camouflage and then changes into a brilliant green shade with enormous eyespots that look false. It is relatively common in flower gardens throughout the eastern and parts of the mid-western United States. What is interesting to note is that a sombre-winged butterfly comes from this nearly fluorescent caterpillar.

Mussaenda
What you are looking at is a beautiful West African shrub known as Mussaenda erythrophylla. It is commonly known as Ashanti blood, tropical dogwood and red flag bush. The bracts of the shrub may have different shades, including red, rose, white, pale pink or some other beautiful colour combination. Mussaenda erythrophylla is observed to be best grown in warm temperate or subtropical areas and is semi deciduous in cooler parts. It blooms all year round, making for a great houseplant. You can put it in a container and display it indoors for its beauty.