The Spiritual Meaning of Colors
Mankind has his own interpretation to the meaning of colors for their usage in life. The types of colors we make use of in our daily clothing and activities, are our desire, feelings, thoughts and perceptions reflected through them. History has told the relation between men and colors in their societal, economic and political duties which he himself has emphasized. We have watched many parades, festivals and marches utilizing different types of colors to forward messages, slogan or else advertisement.
Colors might have their meaning to us but our Holy Church teaches about their spiritual meaning. It is impossible to talk about meaning of colors without stating the rainbow mentioned in the Book of Genesis. And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” (Genesis 9:12-15)
The rainbow is the sign of the covenant made to the righteous Man Noah by God. Inside it carries four kinds of colors but is unified in seven types of colors, red, yellow, orange, green, sky blue, blue, purple; The four types of colors which are white, black, yellow and red have their meaning in spiritual life. The number of colors being four is the resemblance of the four characters of humans which are fire, water, wind and earth. So God unified the colors to say He has become unified or incarnated from flesh to save man though he betrayed me; The red one is the example of fire character of Holy Spirit; The White is the resemblances of character of water and baptism; The Yellow is earth’s character and the Holy Flesh of Holy Son; The black is the character of wind and Holy blood of Holy Son; The cloud is the resemblances of Holy Mother Saint Mary. He showed these colors saying I will be baptized and save you. It is also His saying that He will come down from the heavens and be born from Saint Virgin Mary and redeem you.
Colors have meaning in Holy Icons as well. The colors in the Icons of Holy Trinity and Holy Mother Saint Virgin Mary have their message to transfer. The Angels and Holy and Saint’s Icons are colored differently which reflect their persistence, honor and title. The Light of Grace (Light of Crown) reveals their Holy Honor given by Church. However, it is vital to comprehend the meaning of Grace of Light that is found on the Holy Icons of Holy Trinity and Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which is the implication of the Holy Character of God.
Accord the Canon of the Church, we usually use colors of Blue, Red, Green, Yellow and White on Holy Icons that have their own meaning.
Sky Blue: – This color represents the life led by the will of soul in inheriting the eternal virtue. It is as well used to indicate their triumph over the will of flesh thru the spiritual fruit. It is also the example of their life in humility.
Red: – It is the imitation of the Holy Blood of the Holy Son and Martyrdom. We use this color in Holy Icons to reflect the martyrdom of saints who endure all the suffering and death for the sake of Lord Christ and Church. It is as well as the sign of liberators.
Yellow: – The color yellow is the implication of truthfulness and lightness. As it is said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14) In accordance to these words of the Lord, Church bestows a Crown of Light painted in yellow, for those Saints who have reached at the level of Holiness.
Green: – As it is situated with fruitfulness and glare, its meaning is, renewal, new life, salvation and hope. Based on this, greenness and life are correlated.
White: – It is used to show heavenly purity and Divinity. Saints are who triumphed the world and are with holy heart and thus they are painted wearing white clothes. It also shows Divine Power. For example, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on His Resurrection is painted wearing white cloth.
Dear Brethren, we have seen the types and spiritual meanings of colors. Thus instead of interpreting them in our ways, feeling, thoughts or even emotions, we shall acknowledge their true meaning to have an understanding of them. In particular, these days, people tend to lean more on the worldly comprehension of colors on their daily life or at work place in fulfilling their work.
Unfortunate to some communities who are without the knowledge of church, giving the wrong meaning to colors. These circumstance have even led to causing tribal wars which we have seen recently in social medias and televisions. The case of flags has become sensitive issues amongst the orthodox community seeking answers from Patristic Fathers. Though we have been costumed in utilizing flags for representing one country, it is not the teaching of our Holy Church. We only acknowledge the meaning of the colors as we have seen above.
Then it is vital to know the true colors and their spiritual meaning for the better understanding and convention. We ought to learn them and have a proper sight of their meaning. If we know and comprehend their message, it is likely to be aware of their meaning in spirituality in specific to the Holy Icons. Colors have their own spiritual meaning!