Colors

The colors I've used mostly are:

Red. This is my favorite color, partly because my birthstone is ruby, but mostly just because I like it--it's bright and warm. It is associated with fire and blood. It is the liturgical color of Pentecost.
Gray. This is my other favorite color. Although my family name supposedly comes from Dutch ancestors, never had a second 'l', and is not Welsh, it is still interesting to notice that the Welsh word 'llwyd' means 'gray' or 'gray haired'. Whether there is any etymological connection I don't know. I suspect my Loyd may be related to words for 'light' or 'bright'.
Other reasons I like the color gray
- It is a nice, plain, neutral color (and contrasts well with red)
- It is interesting symbolically, being between white and black
- It can be associated with silver, thus with gold you have the two prototypical precious metals
- Sydney was a gray/silver cat
- Gray hair is a symbol of wisdom (because of its association with age)
Gold. This I've used to represent my first name. Nora can be derived from several names: Elinore, Lenora, and the Latin name Honoria. I've decided that the latter, which means 'honorable', is where my name comes from. Using gold to represent honor may be a stretch, but that's okay. It also helps that Toby's last name Aureus means 'golden'.
White. This I've used to represend my middle name, Kay. Kay is short for Catherine. The etymology of this name is disputed, but the most common theory is that it comes from a Greek root and means "pure". White is often associated with purity (and it's a pretty neutral color, as well). (It's interesting that in some cultures white symbolizes death.) In metals it may be associated with platinum.

Notice each of my names is the short form

Nora, not Norah
Kay, not Kaye
Loyd, not Lloyd