In this paper, some literary works and the daily expressions of Chinese and English are employed as the material to illustrate the differences between Chinese and Western color terms。 In the following parts, I will list some main reasons of the differences and to make a basic overview of the translation of color terms in combination with the commonly used translation methods。

Chapter Two  Cultural Connotations of Color Terms in Chinese and English

The color terms in every nation are different in number and classification。 But there are six basic color terms in both Chinese and English。 The basic color terms mean red, blue, green, yellow, black and white。 Due to the influence of cultural background, the Chinese and Western color words have more differences than similarities。 This chapter mainly concentrates on the analysis of the differences of color terms in Chinese and English。

2。1 Cultural Connotations of “Red”

Chinese people are accustomed to using “红” to express the national style。 Chinese think that “red” represent enthusiasm, hardworking, power, love and so on。 The royal families praised “red” high。 For instance, the emperors in the feudal society made comments written in red with a brush because “红” means authority and inviolability。 The ordinary people choose red paint to draw the outline of windows and doors。 Chinese people love red so much that they use it in many festivals and weddings in order to contribute to the festival gaiety。 The red words, red candle, red scarf and the red coat in the wedding can bring not only happiness but also the good luck that which will make the bride and bridegroom live a rich life。 Chinese people like to use “红”to refer to a beautiful female。 For example, we will call the beautiful girl “红颜”。         

   In Chinese, “红” also represents the revolution。 “红色”means resisting despotic rule, and the first armed forces is “红军”。

    However, red is more often used in a derogatory sense in Western culture, because it means blood, violence and eroticism。 There are phrases such as “the red rules of tooth and claw”, “red revenge” and “a red battle”。 It was said that in the West the gladiators who were shut in the red rooms before arena show would perform better than others。 It was red that inspired their fighting will and made them become more violent。 文献综述

Red can also mean danger and intensity, like “red alert”, “a red adventure story” and “a red flag”。 And sometimes red also represents dissipation and smuttiness。 Here are some idioms such as “a red waste of his youth”, “a red light district” and “Is she really so red as she is painted?” Scarlet written by Hawthorne was translated to 《红字》。 In this novel, Hester was stamped with a red “A” on her chest。 Red means fiery sexual passion and unchastity here in a way。 

2。2 Cultural Connotations of “Blue”

    Blue doesn’t have many symbolic meanings in Chinese culture。 When we are talking about “blue”, we will think of the sky and the seas。 It often gives us an impression of broadness and eternity。 Comparatively, it has more meanings in western culture。 Blue means depression, melancholy and dispiritedness。 There are some commonly used phrases like “feel blue”, “a blue outlook”, “Things look blue。”  “blue Monday” and so on。 And blue is a color of negation and passiveness。 Besides, in western culture, blue has other associative meanings。 Blue can stand for nobility, depth and strict。 “Blue blood”, “blue ribbon”, “blue nose”, “blue law”。。。there are so many idioms that we can’t enumerate them。 “And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue。”(King James Bible, exodus 28:31) In this piece of Scriptures, blue means love and mercy, and blue symbolizes the pinity and humanity of Jesus。