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Hidden Meanings of Colors in Breaking Bad You Probably Missed

Hidden Meanings of Colors in Breaking Bad You Probably Missed
Image credit: AMC

Colors are yet another proof of how brilliant this show is.

Breaking Bad, a show celebrated for its sharply defined characters, symbolism, and exquisite writing, also tells a story through color. Nothing you see in Breaking Bad is accidental.

Every piece of clothing, the colors of the backgrounds, the props — all of them work together to tell a single, cohesive story.

Take the color yellow, for instance. It's usually associated with being careful or even a bit cowardly, and it's everywhere in the meth world on the show. We've got the Los Pollos Hermanos uniforms, the hazmat suits, and even the plate Walt uses to kill Crazy 8.

Then there's orange, symbolizing danger and action. It's Hank's color of choice, fitting for a guy who loves to crack a joke and jump into the thick of things. Red, with its ties to blood and crime, pops up in places like Gus's meth lab, Lydia's deadly tea cup, and the clicker Walt uses to wipe out the Nazis.

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Pink, the color of youth and tragedy, is perfect for Jesse (whose last name is Pinkman) and his innocent outlook. Beige, which is a pretty neutral color, often graces Walt and Skyler when they're trying to play house and act normal.

Brown, the color of down-to-earth stability, is also Hank's color of choice. Purple, a royal and safe color, is pretty much Marie's wardrobe, reflecting her self-perception as royalty.

Blue is the meth color, symbolizing purity, sadness, and a need to escape. And green, the color of cash and envy, is often on Walt, highlighting his longing for the billion-dollar payday he missed with Gray Matter.

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White, the color of innocence, is reserved for our main characters, showing their pure start before everything went down. Gray, a color of sadness, is Jesse's mourning outfit when Jane dies.

And finally, black, the color of death, secrets, and all things evil, is linked to Walter's alter ego, Heisenberg.

A good show is a nice way to pass the time, but a great show like Breaking Bad, well, it's a gift that keeps on giving. Every time you watch it, you spot more details, symbols, and hidden meanings. That's why it's a work of art.