This article takes Xie He's theory of "coloring according to category" as the entry point, sorts out its theoretical origin, explores the traditional connotation of the color in flower-and-bird painting, and on this basis, elaborates on the logical level and painting expression of the color in flower-and-bird painting under the principle of "coloring according to category", which is "based on truth, with meaning as the soul, and with harmony as beauty". On this basis, it explores the inheritance and innovation of the color logic in contemporary flower-and-bird painting It strives to provide some theoretical ideas for the inheritance of colors in current flower-and-bird paintings and promote the transformation and application of traditional painting aesthetics in the contemporary context.