It’s the age-old question. The question students have in late August when buying notebooks and folders. The question everyone debates at least once a year. What color are the subjects?
It’s always “Math is blue!” “Science is green!” “English is blue!” “History is yellow!”
But I am here to settle the debate. To silence those who do not understand the true nature and severity of the subject color debate!
To start, math is red.
Red is a bold color that shows dominance, and when it comes to most jobs, math is heavily involved in day-to-day life.
The color red also shows intensity and stress. That’s what math is: either students get it right or wrong, no partial credit, no “You did your best!” It’s the students who get it right or wrong. And when the test is returned, guess what color highlights all the mistakes? Red.
Red is also known to signal danger; danger makes people alert, and alertness is necessary to make the correct calculations in math.
Next, English is blue.
The color blue gives off a calming vibe that sparks creativity. Oftentimes, if not most times, creativity is needed when writing stories, reading, and analyzing passages.
Blue is also often associated with communication and trust—stuff needed in an English class to succeed.
Like red, blue is a bold color, but rather than giving off a feeling of confidence, it is something that many authors and writers use. The tools needed in an English class are creativity and confidence, which is exactly what blue gives off.
Third, Science is yellow.
Yellow sparks curiosity, discovery, problem-solving, and energy – all skills needed in a Science class.
If the lab doesn’t work properly, using problem-solving skills can help. And the feeling when something works after a long time is bright and happy and exhilarating, if I’m being honest.
Most depictions of a light bulb show a yellow light. And when students have the light bulb moment, it’s a good feeling. That’s what yellow is.
Lastly, History is green.
Green is growth and time, and History is all about how we as a society have grown over time.
History shows us character development with important figures of the past. How Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic. How George Washington built the foundations of the country today.
Green is an Earth-y color. The people who live on Earth have traditions, and we learn that from reflection and balance.
Personally, this is how I feel when I am picking out my folders in Target at the end of August, preparing for a new school year.
Helen • Nov 7, 2025 at 11:03 pm
I agree with Coen Utecht on this statement. I think he made very creditable points and he persuaded me into changing my folder colors! Great work bucko! Keep it up 🙂
Taylor Eason • Nov 7, 2025 at 10:34 am
I say swap the science and History, because science, in my opinion is green because of biology, the growth of science throughout history is more often discovered through nature. Commonly we see nature as green. History is yellow because yellow is more often than not what white turns into once it sits in the sun for a long time indicating age, another reason yellow is history is because how often the sun is implemented into myths and legends to us the sun is yellow.