SECRETS OF COLOUR AS USED IN HINDUISM

Colours play a very important role in culture and religion and have a very deep significance transcending purely aesthetic values. Hindu artists used colours for their deities and their adornments to signify these qualities. Appropriate use of the right colour enhances any environment, be it work, bhakti etc. and adds to the relevant rasa required to get maximum out of the situation. Natural ingredients were used by the artists as much as possible to create various colours – red from stone or the Jabakusum (hibiscus) flower, yellow from turmeric, white from wheat flour or limestone etc.

RED – In Hindu religion, red is of utmost significance and the colour of choice for most auspicious occasions like weddings, birth of a child, festivals etc. A red mark (Tilak) is put on the forehead during ceremonies and important occasions. Hindu women usually put a red powder (sindoor) in the parting of their hair to signify their married status. Red is also usually the preferred colour for the wedding garb itself. Red powder (Gulal) is thrown on statues and deities during prayers. It is the colour of strength (Shakti) and progress (pragati). It is the colour of energy, war and fire. ‘Good’ deities – those that are charitable, protective and fight and triumph over evil – are usually dressed in red. If a Hindu woman predeceases her husband (considered to be good luck), her body is wrapped in a red cloth for cremation.

SAFFRON – It also represents fire, sometimes more so than red. It is also the symbol of the Sun (note that all the Hindu / Sikh flags are saffron). As saffron represents fire which burns away all impurities, it is considered a symbol of purity. It also represents religious abstinence (monks, priests and those who serve God generally wear this colour). It is the colour of holy men and ascetics who have renounced the world. Wearing this colour is s symbol of the quest for light (knowledge). This colour is also worn by Bhikshuks and students in the Gurukuls. Saffron is also the colour of certain warrior clans / castes, especially those who worship the Sun (Rajputs).

GREEN – It symbolizes peace and felicity. It stabilizes the mind. It represents Earth and Vasundhara Devi (the Earth Goddess who represents the Earth, planets and all things ecological). It is also used as ___ to represent the dresses worn by Goddess Laxmi and also used at times to represent money (Dhana). Green is also considered auspicious at weddings – many Hindu bridal wrists are adorned by green bangles – a symbol of marriage.

YELLOW – This is the colour of knowledge and learning. It symbolizes happiness, peace, meditation, competence and mental development. It is the colour of spring and used for activating the mind. Lord Vishnu’s dress is yellow symbolizing his representation of knowledge. Lord Krishna and Lord Ganesh also wear yellow.

WHITE – This is a mixture of seven different colours, each symbolizing a particular quality. It represents purity, cleanliness, knowledge and peace. The Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge and learning) always wears white and is seated in a white lotus. A Hindu widow wears white to signify mourning.

BLUE – This is the colour of the Creator and the Destroyer. The oceans, the rivers, the lakes are all blue. The deity who has the qualities of bravery, manliness, determination, the ability to deal with difficult situations, is of a stable mind and depth of character is represented by this colour. Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are always coloured blue as they spent their lives protecting humanity and destroying evil.