Air Quote by Leonardo da Vinci
“The first of all simple colours is White ... We shall set down White for the representative of light, without which no colour can be seen; Yellow for the earth; Green for water; Blue for air; Red for fire; and Black for total darkness.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Treatise on Painting, c. 1508
A symbolic assignment of colors to elements, linking white to light and the foundation for perceiving other colors.
In simple terms: Colors represent elements and light.
Key Takeaway
Use symbolism to understand concepts.
Themes
art
symbolism
philosophy
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- visual arts education
- design
- creative writing
Key Concepts
color theory
elemental symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does each color symbolize for you?
- How does light influence perception?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations can vary across cultures.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)