Do you think the “color representing poison attributes” should be purple or green? Netizens are surprised that people around the world have such significant differences in habits!

Between the colors “purple” and “green,” which one is more easily viewed by people as the representative of “poison”? Recently, Japanese netizens engaged in a heated discussion. The topic revolves around how purple is often used in Japanese anime or games to represent poison attributes or poisoning status, while Western works tend to use green to symbolize poison.

Where do these cultural differences actually stem from? And how do they affect the audience’s understanding of foreign works? Next, let’s take a look at the insights of Japanese netizens.

In the discussion, a Japanese netizen mentioned: “We talked about Japan’s view on ‘the color of poison’: Americans expressed confusion over the fact that Japanese people use purple to represent poison when playing ‘Pokémon.’ The French think purple is an elegant color, while the Japanese curiously asked back, what color do you think is suitable to represent poison? Both Germans and French people believe it is green, and even the Americans think so too. However, I always feel that green is more like a healing color; it’s really interesting.”

A similar discussion also took place among another British netizen, who said: “I think poison is green. For example, in ‘Disney’s Twisted Wonderland’, Will’s poison is also green. Probably only Japanese people think poison is purple. I don’t know why the Japanese think this, but the reason Europeans believe poison is green may be related to toxic pigments like Scheele’s Green or Paris Green.”

 This opinion is purely personal.

A Japanese X netizen with the nickname “Feng” recently discussed the starkly different views on the color “toxic” held by Japanese people compared to those from Europe and America, sparking widespread discussion.

He even held a public vote on the color of the poison, which showed that a total of 4,893 netizens participated:

Purple: 88.7%, Green: 8.2%, Others: 3.1%.

 In response, Japanese netizens have expressed their views:

 The poisoned apple in ‘Snow White’ is usually green.

The original ‘Grimer’ was indeed purple, but ‘Alolan Grimer’ is green.

 I see.

 It’s really green.

 Disney villains really do like to use grass green.

Therefore, the acid of the reptile in ‘Mortal Kombat’ is green, while the tree sap of Biolante is yellow.

So the perspectives of the Japanese and Westerners on the same color card are completely opposite, which is quite interesting.

 Even I think that purple seems to better represent poison.

This kind of discussion makes us aware of the differences in the symbolic meanings of colors in different cultures, as well as the potential impact of these differences on people’s understanding of works.

Color is not only a visual expression but also contains rich cultural connotations behind it. Therefore, when appreciating works from different cultural backgrounds, understanding the differences in the use of these colors is undoubtedly a good way to enhance cross-cultural understanding.