Meaning of Color
Down through the ages, different colors have been associated with many social customs, for instance grieving: wearing black in the west and white in China. In the art of Heraldry, (family crests) colors all have specific meanings, where the colors are placed, the shade that is used and what symbols are associated with them. Weddings have their color traditions also, white bridal dresses, signifying virginity in Western cultures and in the Orient, brides wear red, symbolic for happiness. Color plays a vital role in religious and spiritual beliefs and practices, such as Easter, green for new life and white for resurrection, purple for the Royal Priesthood of Christ.
The promise or covenant God made with Noah was sealed with color, the RAINBOW.
Everyone enjoys being surprised by a chance encounter with one of these breathtaking spectacles. The seven colors we see in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, make up the color spectrum. Seven is a complete number, a divine number.
The foundation stones of the New Jerusalem represent the complete color spectrum. When all the colors of the spectrum are blended together, we get white light. Scripture tells us God is light, we are children of light ( I John 1:5-7). Jesus said he is the light of the world. In the city of the New Jerusalem, there is no need for the sun or moon, because the Lamb is the light (Rev. 21:23). No wonder it is called the city of PEACE, “The Lord is There.”
Red - Carnelian
Orange - Jacinth and Topaz
Yellow - Beryl
Green - Emerald, Peridot, and Chrysoprase
Blue - Chalcedony
Indigo - Sapphire (in some translations Sapphire is Lapis Lazuli)
Violet - Amethyst
Jasper and Sardonyx are of the earth tones, brown, reddish-brown, tan, black, striped and patterned. Jasper comes in almost all colors, while Sardonyx can be black and white, or red and white bands together in the same stone.
The colors we are attracted to tell us a lot about ourselves. We are attracted to color by our emotions and subconscious longings and needs.
Color plays a huge part in our well-being, be it cultural, religious or influencing our personal choices in life. Read the descriptions and look at what surrounds you, your wardrobe, and your living spaces. What is your favorite color? Your personal color preferences? What colors move you? Now ask yourself, why? Our color preferences reveal a lot about our inner selves, motives, and struggles. We can use these insights to grow and heal if we just take the time to hear what colors are trying to reveal to us.
Compiled here is a brief over view of the colors and their meanings. This is by no means a complete list or an in-depth study. Basically it is just a taste to wet your whistle. At the bottom of this page there will be links to other sites that offer more information.
Have fun and be blessed!
Red – Vitality/Life/Love
Red is the color of physical energy, passion, power, and desire. Red is also associated with blood and thus life (birth & death), volcanoes, and intense emotions: anger, love, survival, and self-preservation.
Descriptive words for Red:
Assertive, determined, energy, action, devotion, power, courage, heat, fire, blood, love, excitement, aggression.
The color of “I Am”
Exodus 3:13 "Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, "What is his name?" Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
Orange – Endurance/Enthusiasm
Orange is the color of joy, enthusiasm and creativity. As a lesser aspect of Red, Orange can be thought of as “vitality with endurance.” Combining the color Yellow with Red helps soften the power of Red with the cheerfulness of Yellow.
Descriptive words for Orange:
Outgoing, busy, cheerful, bright, courage, creativity, optimism, well-being, strength, awareness, authority, salesmanship, urge to achieve, self justified.
The color of “I Feel”
James 1:2-4, 12 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Yellow – Wisdom/Intellect
Yellow has been the color of wisdom and intellect throughout the ages. It symbolizes the sun, grain, and the power of intellectual thought and creativity. Yellow is a symbol of new life. It energizes and stimulates with expectancy.
Descriptive words for Yellow:
Artistry, wisdom, intellect, cheerfulness, confidence, exhilarating, playfulness, light, discipline, communication, perception, fear, caution, cowardliness.
The color of “I Think”
Proverbs 3:13-17 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
Green – Nature
Green is the easiest color on the eyes. Green is the basic color of healing and symbolizes our planet’s ability to reproduce and regenerate. Chlorophyll is green, which is the building block of life. Think green – think harmony and balance.
Descriptive words for Green:
Nature, growth, change, healing, self-esteem, good luck, renewal, spring, fertility, hope, resurrection, rebirth, peaceful, vigor, jealousy, illness, inexperience.
The color of "I Heal"
Psalm 23: 1-3 "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul.
Blue – Truth
Blue stimulates the ability to communicate one’s deepest truths, encourages contemplation, and promotes group unity. Blue is symbolic of the ocean, sleep, twilight, and the sky. The color blue is a natural appetite suppressant.
Descriptive words for Blue:
Communication, spirituality, truth, honesty, loyalty, calm, unity, conservatism, knowledge, stability, holiness, peace, solitude, depression, moodiness.
The color of “I Communicate”
Psalms 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Indigo – Intuition
Indigo is the combination of the colors blue and violet, and is the color of knowledge, dignity and intuition. It empowers intuition and creativity, deep wisdom, transformation and metamorphosis unexpected change. Indigo is a color of polar extremes: knowledge – ignorance, exotic sensuality – celibacy.
Descriptive words for Indigo:
Imagination, intuition, knowledge, efficiency, sixth sense, integrity, detachment, spiritual shield, dignity, determination, patience, moody, sorrow.
The color of “I Know”
Ephesians 1:17-19 "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Violet- Royalty
Violet signifies endings, illumination and rebirth. It is a color of compassion, universal love and service to others. Violet is associated with royalty because of it’s rarity in nature and the expense of making cloth of this color. A color fit for Kings.
Descriptive words for Violet:
Spirituality, the divine, completion, intuitiveness, ability to see into the unknown, awareness, passion, wisdom, dramatic, dignified, renewal, vision.
The color of “I Complete"
Revelation 1:4-8 Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
White– Purity
White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity and virginity and is considered to be the color of perfection. White, technically is not a color but a value of color. When all the colors of the spectrum are mixed together we get white light.
Descriptive words for White:
Faith, purity, innocence, humility, spiritual oneness, God, truth, perfection, wholeness, transcendence, reverence, virginity, cleanliness, snow, good, sterile.
The color of “I Purify”
1 John 1:5-7 "This is the message we heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
Black – Stability
Black absorbs all other colors. It is a controversial color; on one hand, it commands authority and power and on the other, it represents mourning and despair. The man in the black hat is the “bad guy” but the man in a black dress coat is considered “distinguished.” Black, like white, is not a color but the saturation of color.
Descriptive words for Black:
Solid, grounded, powerful, in control, absorption, independent, fascination, stylish, formality, remorse, evil, fear, mysterious, dignified, banishment, mourning, depth, sadness.
The color of “I Absorb”
Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
Just for fun, here's an old story about colors.
The Color of Friendship
Once upon a time, the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed; they were the best, the most important, the most useful, the favored.
GREEN said, “Clearly, I am the most important. I am the chosen color for grass, trees and leaves. I am the sign of life and hope, without me, all life would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority. “
BLUE interrupted, "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. Water is the basis of life, drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space, peace and serenity. Without my abundance, you would all be nothing.”
YELLOW began to laugh and twirl, "You are all too serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, even stars twinkle yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun."
ORANGE started to blow her trumpet next, "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and melons. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you."
RED could stand it no longer and shouted out, "I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I bring passion to the cause and am willing to fight to the end. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy."
PURPLE, then rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp, "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey."
INDIGO finally spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination. "I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without my presence, you all become clashing noise. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. I am needed for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."
So the quarrel continued, each color went on boasting of their importance. Each convinced of his or her own superiority over the others. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightning and thunder silencing the color’s quarrel. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.
In the midst of the clamor, RAIN began to speak, "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. You each have been fashioned for a special purpose, unique and different from one another. No one color is right for everything. Now join hands with one another and come to me." Doing as told, the colors joined hands and drew near to the heavens.
RAIN continued, "For your true strengths to appear, you must remember two things. Every color must bow in respect to each other and I must be present in order to accomplish this wondrous feat. Because you have learned this important lesson, I bestow on you a new name, RAINBOW. You will be an eternal sign of hope for tomorrow. Each time you join hands and stretch across the sky in a great bow of color, it will be a reminder that you can live in peace.”
When aRainbow appears in the sky, let us remember we are only able to radiate our strengths when we bow in respect to the strengths of other and invite the refreshment of heaven to rain down upon us.
(Author Unknown)
This story is widely distributed if there is a known author please let me know
All verses are taken from the NIV translation of the Bible.
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