Spiritual Significance of Colours in Hinduism -
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| Colours |
RED : This is both about sensuality and
purity. In Hindu culture a red mark is put on the forehead during auspicious ceremonies and
important occasions. As a sign of marriage, women put vermilion on the hair
parting. Brides also wear red saree during marriage. Red powder is usually
applied on statues of deities during prayers. It is also the colour of Shakti.
SAFFRON : This is composed of hues of
golden yellow and orange and represents the fire which burns the impurities and
cleanses itself in the process. Holy men who have renounced the world, dress in saffron as it represents purity and religion. It is also representative
of lightness and wisdom, qualities that the saints possess.
YELLOW : It is the colour of
knowledge and learning. It symbolises happiness, peace, meditation and mental
development. It is also the colour of spring and activates our mind. Lord
Vishnu’s dress is yellow symbolizing his representation of knowledge. Lord
Krishna and Ganesha also wear yellow dresses.
GREEN : It represents the natural world that the deities created and symbolizes purity, peace, happiness and harmony. Fertility, life and rebirth that are found in nature are also represented by the colour green. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Dark green is also commonly associated with money.
WHITE : This is an assortment of seven colours and symbolises a grade of each. It represents purity, cleanliness, knowledge and peace. The Goddess of knowledge Saraswati is shown as wearing a white dress and sitting on a white lotus. Spiritual leaders often cover themselves with white ash and sandalwood paste to symbolise their religious rebirth.
BLUE : The creator has given the maximum of blue to nature i.e. the sky, the oceans, the rivers, and the lakes. The deity who has the qualities of bravery, manliness, determination, the ability to deal with difficult situations, of stable mind and depth of character is represented with this colour. The Hindu deities Lord Rama and Krishna, who spent their life protecting humanity and destroying evil, hence they are coloured blue.
BLACK: This black colour has connotations with lack of desirability, evil, negativitity and inertia. It represents anger and darkness and is associated with the absence of energy, barrenness and death. Black is used as a representation of evil and is often used to ward off evil.
