Green has often been associated with decay. When playing the role of Dracula in the 1927-8 production, Bela Lugosi wore green-tinted makeup. Green tinged skin is associated with sickness and so an ill person may sometimes be described as looking ‘green around the gills’. In many Far East cultures, green is also seen as a symbol of sickness or nausea.
Green is also seen to be quite an unlucky colour in Britain and the Commonwealth. Green cards, theatre costumes, and wedding dresses are regarded with superstition. In the Celtic tradition it was avoided in clothing in totality for it was strongly believed to be a harbinger of misfortune and death. In English folklore, green was associated with evil and devilry as it was associated with witchcraft. Lucky there are no gu 10 green light bulbs to be tarnished with the same negative associations! When green is combined with gold, the two together represent the fading of youth.