Twilight Trivia

Learn about the symbolism, origin of names, and other interesting tidbits about Twilight.

* Edward talks about twilight, the time between sunset and full night, as the safest, easiest, and saddest time of day. Twilight is also defined as an intermediate state that is not clearly defined–a clear reference to the vampire's existence in a sort of undead limbo.

* The song by Debussy that is a favorite of both Bella's and Edward's is called "Clair de Lune," or Moonlight. The composer died in Paris in 1918–the same year Edward "died" and was reborn as Edward Cullen.

* Edward's name was inspired by Charlotte Bronte's Mr. Rochester and Jane Austen's Mr. Ferrars. Stephenie Meyer chose Isabella for her heroine because she had picked out that name for the daughter of her own flesh and blood that she never had.

* Edward compares himself to a carnivorous flower; the almost surreal beauty of the vampires helps them lure human prey. There are about 630 species of carnivorous plants, which use five different techniques to capture their food: pitfall traps, flypaper traps, snap traps, bladder traps, and lobster-pot traps.

* There is an actual city of Forks, Washington. It is home to the Hoh Rain Forest, which in turn, is the habitat of the Sitka spruce, the Roosevelt elk, and the Douglas squirrel.

* Spanish influenza (a virus strain of the subtype H1N1) caused a worldwide pandemic beginning in the year 1918. The virus struck by triggering an overstimulation of the body's immune system, a cytokine storm, and found its victims among the healthiest of the population-those with the strongest immune systems. In fact, the Spanish flu was responsible for more American deaths than World War I.

* Bella suffers from a condition called hemophobia, a word derived from the Greek haima (blood) and phobos (fear). Another name for homophobia is hematophobia.

* The name Jasper means "treasurer" in Persian. This name was traditionally assigned to one of the wise men who were said to have visited the newborn Jesus. Jasper is also the name of a gemstone.

* The high schoolers enjoy a beautiful driftwood fire when they go to the beach at La Push. Experts do not recommend burning driftwood in your fireplace at home; the combination of organic material in the wood and the sodium chloride (salt) can produce dioxin, a toxin.

* The Quileute spun long dog hair into warm blankets and wove fine baskets–some of them capable of holding water

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Color Psychology

Do different colors affect your mood?

Like death and taxes, there is no escaping color. It is ubiquitous. Yet what does it all mean? Why are people more relaxed in green rooms? Why do weightlifters do their best in blue gyms?

Colors often have different meanings in various cultures. And even in Western societies, the meanings of various colors have changed over the years. But today in the U.S., researchers have generally found the following to be accurate.

Black

Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula, often wear black.

White

Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.

Red

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.

Blue

The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

Green

Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.

Yellow

Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.

Purple

The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

Brown

Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.

Colors of the Flag

In the U.S. flag, white stands for purity and innocence. Red represents valor and hardiness, while blue signifies justice, perseverance, and vigilance. The stars represent the heavens and all the good that people strive for, while the stripes emulate the sun's rays.

Food for Thought

While blue is one of the most popular colors it is one of the least appetizing. Blue food is rare in nature. Food researchers say that when humans searched for food, they learned to avoid toxic or spoiled objects, which were often blue, black, or purple. When food dyed blue is served to study subjects, they lose appetite.

Green, brown, and red are the most popular food colors. Red is often used in restaurant decorating schemes because it is an appetite stimulant.

Source: FactMonster.com

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