The Significance of Color in Religion

Colors are often associated with particular religious traditions or spiritual pathways, or with particular seasons within a specific tradition or pathway. 

None of these colors below are exhaustively representative, and yet they are definitive of a tradition, pathway or season.

 Colors and hues  remind us throughout this resource that each tradition or pathway brings a richness that is both singularly beautiful and also well-considered in the array of the values, stories and rituals to additional traditions and pathways in the world.

Indigenous: Deep Yellow - Yellow is one of the colors on some forms of the Indigenous Medicine Wheel. In the Medicine Wheel, it represents East, Spring, the element of fire, and the spiritual aspect of life.

Zoroastrianism: Fire Orange - Fire is the most important symbols in Zoroastrianism. For them, fire represents purity and God's light and wisdom, as well as an illuminated mind.

The Baha'i Faith: Sun Yellow - The sun is one of the most important symbol in the Bahai tradition, representing truth and unity.

Judaism: Tekhelet Blue - The Israelites used an indigo-colored dye called tekhelet for coloring clothing, sheets and curtains. Blue is also associated with the 10 Commandments.

Christianity: Purple - Purple is the color used during Lent. It is a deep color invites Christians to reflect on Jesus' sacrifices during the Lenten season. It was also a color of royalty in the Roman empire during Jesus' time.

Islam: Dark Green - It is believed that green was Muhammed's favorite color and one he wore often. The Quran describes paradise as a place where people “will wear green garments of fine silk” (18:31). Green's significance is also noted by it being the color of the Islamic flag.

Hinduism: Deep Saffron - Saffron is considered a symbol of purity and represents religious abstinence and cleansing. Saffron robes are reserved for monks who have renounced everything. Additionally, saffron is considered to be the color of fire, which has deep symbolism in Hinduism.

The Jain Religion: Green - Green is one of the five colors of the Jain flag, which collectively signify the Pancha Paramesthis. Green represents the upadhyaya (adepts), or those who teach scriptures to monks. 

Buddhism: Orange Saffron - Orange/saffron is one of the primary colors used for Buddhist monk's robes, a color that has been worn since the time of the Buddha. The robe symbolizes fire, which the Buddha saw as a symbol of truth.

The Sikh Religion - Navy Blue: Navy Blue is one of the traditional Sikh Khalsa colors, worn on days of religious observance or special commemorative events.

Daoism: Han Purple - Han purple was most likely first developed by Taoist glassmakers attempting to create artificial jade and in Taoism, purple symbolizes the ascendance of mortal beings to immortality.

Shinto: Vermillion - Vermillion is believed to be the color which expels evil and diseases, and therefore why  the Shinto torii and many other Shinto buildings include vermillion.

Confucianism: Jade - Confucian said “Jade is precious not because it is rare, but because the quality of jade corresponds to virtue. It relates to virtues like benevolence, wisdom, righteousness.”