International Color Guide - Melanesia

Color Symbolism in Warm, Tropical Melanesia Is a Reflection of the Area's Environment.

The design of the Papua New Guinea flag (one of the regions of Melanesia) reflects the two populations it represents - the formerly German settlement of New Guinea and the Australian mandated Solomon Islands. The bird of paradise, a popular local emblem, is combined with native colors and the Australian stars.

Black, red, yellow and white are the colors of the Papua New Guinea flag. Red and yellow are the primary colors of celebration for this area; black and white are ritual colors.

Melanesia includes the regions of Papua New Guinea and the islands of the southwest Pacific, including Fiji, Trobriand Island, Admiralty Island, and the Solomon Islands. This lush landscape offers a profusion of colors and sources for color traditions for the area's inhabitants.

The people of Papua New Guinea borrow from the environment for dances and other celebrations. Clays are used for face paint, and grasses, flowers, leaves shells and feathers are used for body decoration.

Bright shades of red and yellow figure prominently in celebrations, as does black. A person's face painted red is a sign of status and power; black speaks of beauty.

	In New Guinea, white signifies wealth and prosperity. In Trobriand Island, whiteness means excellence. White is also associated with women in their first pregnancy and to all new babies. White signifies newness and cleanness.
	In New Guinea, black is a sacred color. In Melanesia as a whole, black is related to beauty and speed. For Trobriand Islanders, black signifies impurity. A widowed person there is painted black until they are cleansed in a ceremony.
	In New Guinea, red is sacred. It represents virility, war and favorable descent. Some groups believe that red is a male color, whereas others see it as female. Red also represents sexual desire.
	Yellow , in some tribes, is a festive color. Combined with black and red, yellow is a traditionally popular color.
	Blue has colonial associations in Melanesia because of its association with the British Union Jack.
	In Papua New Guinea, gray is a mourning color. Certain tribesmen adorn their faces with gray clay to represent death and spirits.
	Red and yellow are the foremost colors for celebrations.
	Red and white are used for ritual decorations.
	White and a tannish-brown have a festive association.