The principle of human color perception.  The retina in the human eye contains cone cells with three different kinds of proteins, and each protein absorbs a different color.  One is more sensitive to blue, and the other two are more sensitive to yellow.  The difference between the two types of yellow cones determines a range of green to red.  Hence, red, green and blue (RGB).  See 
tristimulus, 
RGB and 
YUV.