Abstract:As we know, there are many deep relationships between language and culture. There are many accordant aspects and also many differences on colors between China and western. These differences not only exist on literal aspect, but also exist on the occasions of which it is could be used. The thesis chooses “Red” and “White” to make some comparisons; reasons are because “Red” and “White” are the most important colors and the most familiar color in China and western. Apart from these, there are many similarities and also some differentials on “Red” and “White” between China and western. 

　　　This thesis mainly focuses on the differences of “Red” and “White” on literal meaning and different occasions where these two colors could be used. Finally, this paper will analyze some reasons why differences exist from historical and religious aspects.

Keywords: Color words; Red; White; Cultural difference

中文摘要:众所周知，语言和文化有着深刻的内在联系。关于颜色，中西方文化存在着很多一致的方面，同时也有许多不一致甚至完全相反的方面。本文就中西文化中最为重要的“红色”、“白色”进行对比，原因之一就是白色和红色广泛的存在于中西方历史和生活以及各个方面；除此之外，红色和白色在中西方文化中存在着一些相同的意义，有一些相同的用法，但同时也有许多不同的意义和用法。例如本文中提到的“白色”,随着时间的变化和交流的广泛在中西文化中同时拥有了“纯洁的”意义。

　　　本文主要列举了红色和白色在中西方的不同字面意义、文化含义以及不同的用法。文章从历史、宗教角度入手, 分析造成这些文化差异的深层原因。

关键词：颜色词；红色；白色；文化差异