When presented with the word "green" we often immediately couple it with "grass". Golfers reminisce over their best putts and environmentalists smile at their best efforts to "go green". But, like all colours, green goes deeper than that.

Green brings a sense of renewal and hope, even eternal life in religious symbolism. Green is thought to represent money and even to attract wealth and prosperity.

Green has its most obvious connection with the earth, signifying land, plants and life. Areas of the earth which are not green are sometimes referred to as dead - though usually this is far from the case. Green represents fertility and generosity.

On the flip side, green is also associated with inexperience, jealousy, envy and possessiveness. Looking "green around the gills" is to appear to be in poor health. Ironically, hospitals use a green decor for the colour's calming effect. Green is quite good for relieving stress.

Green stands for luck, as in the unmistakable green shamrock. The "luck of the Irish" is legendary and well displayed in the country's abundant use of green.

Whatever you decide to use green for, large doses are perfectly safe. Well, unless you're the type to be jealous or envious - then stick to food and clothing for colour dosage. Anyone else can feel free to paint their homes in beautiful shades of green - I did.