The curious blue traffic light of Japan: tradition, language, and culture

Japan is a country that fascinates with its singular culture and unique traditions, and one of its most intriguing features is the perception of the color blue when it comes to traffic lights. While in most parts of the world, the color green indicates to go, in Japan, the traffic light that signals the way forward is known as "blue." This peculiarity not only surprises tourists and visitors but also reveals a deep cultural background and an interesting relationship between language and visual perception.

The Paradox of the Blue Traffic Light

Japan's history with traffic lights is known for its particular approach to the color green. Unlike other countries where the green traffic light is unequivocally that specific color, in Japan it is referred to as "ao" (青), which traditionally encompasses a broader spectrum than our interpretation of blue, even including what we consider green.

This distinction has caused confusion among many foreigners visiting the country, who do not understand why a light that appears green can be called blue by locals. For Japanese people, however, this perception is so commonplace that it does not raise questions. The explanation lies not in arbitrary decisions by authorities or modern technologies but in a rich cultural and linguistic background that has developed over several centuries.

Linguistic Origins of the Term "Ao"

In ancient Japanese, there were only four basic words for colors: red, white, black, and blue. The word "ao" was used to refer to a much wider range of shades than we today associate with blue, including what we consider green and cyan. This linguistic tradition has persisted to modern times.

During the Heian period, which took place between 794 and 1185, the introduction of the word "midori" (緑) began to allow for a clear differentiation of the color green, especially in relation to vegetation and its freshness. However, despite the evolution of language, the use of "ao" has remained in contexts where green is universally recognized. It is not uncommon to hear a Japanese person refer to "blue apples," "blue mountains," or "blue vegetables," even when their color is evidently green.

Conflict with International Standards

The introduction of traffic lights in Japan occurred in the 1930s, when the light that indicated to go was described as green, in accordance with global convention. However, in 1960, with the implementation of the Road Traffic Law, the term "ao shingō" (青信号) was officially established, which translates to "blue signal." This decision led to a conflict with international standards following the Vienna Convention of 1968, which defined green as the reference color for traffic lights.

Japan did not ratify this treaty, allowing it to continue using its traditional designation. In 1973, in an attempt to reconcile local customs with international expectations, the government decided that traffic lights should be a green that had a sufficiently bluish hue. This compromise resulted in a curious balance: traffic lights that, while visually green, are culturally considered blue.

Beyond the Signals

The influence of the term "ao" is not limited to traffic lights. In the Japanese language, it is common to find expressions that incorporate this word, such as "aoringo" (青リンゴ) for green apples, "aonori" (青のり) for a green seaweed sprinkled on typical dishes such as okonomiyaki, or "aoba" (青葉) to refer to the young leaves of trees. These expressions illustrate how the concept of blue overlaps with that of green in the Japanese language.

Additionally, "ao" has acquired a symbolic meaning related to the new and the immature. Calling someone "aoi" (青い) indicates that they are still inexperienced, similar to how "green" is used in Spanish or English in the same sense. This connection between language and cultural perception shows how language not only labels colors but also structures perceptions and cultural relationships around them.

Convention Turned Identity

Today, although traffic lights in Japan are indeed a green color, millions of people still refer to them as blue, thanks to a particular way of seeing and describing the world that has been passed down through generations. This aspect, which may seem odd or confusing to foreigners, is for Japanese people a tradition that does not require justification.

In a way, language has prevailed over visual perception, illustrating how cultural conventions can challenge international standards and become an integral part of national identity. In this manner, Japan's blue traffic light highlights the influence of language on the understanding of objects and experiences, reminding us that even a traffic light can tell a rich and complex story, reflecting centuries of history, language, and customs.

The story of the blue traffic light is just a small fragment of the fascinating intersection between language and culture in Japan. For those interested in delving deeper, you are invited to continue exploring other cultural tales and curiosities on the blog.