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Today I explore the vibrant and diverse colors of India and their fascinating origins and histories.
India is a country known for its rich culture, traditions, and heritage, and one aspect that stands out in all its glory is the use of colors. The colors of India are not just visually stunning; they also have deep symbolism and cultural significance. They have a substantial role to play in everything from clothing to art, to festivals and traditions. So, let’s dive in and explore some of the most popular colors of India and their histories.
Red: Red, or laal in Hindi, is a color that holds immense significance in India. It represents love, passion, and fertility. The color is widely used during weddings and other auspicious occasions. Historically, red was extracted from the henna plant and was used to dye clothes. Today, it is extracted from synthetic sources, but the color remains a popular choice for clothing and other decorations.
Yellow: Yellow, or peela in Hindi, is the color of joy, happiness, and knowledge. It is also the color of the sun and is widely used in Indian festivals such as Holi and Diwali. Yellow is also a popular color for clothing, especially during the festival of Diwali, where people wear new clothes. In our Indian culture, yellow is also associated with food and is often used to represent spices and flavors.
Fun fact - Red and yellow hold significance for every woman in southern parts of India. Not only does it define the marital status of a woman, but they apply this fine power on their forehead as an offering of prayer for their husband’s wellbeing.
Green: Green, AKA hara, is a color that is associated with nature, growth, and harmony. It is also the color of Islam and is commonly used in Islamic architecture and Indian Muslim weddings. In India, green is widely used in clothing, especially during the festival of Eid.
Blue: Blue is another popular color in India, often associated with divinity and transcendence. It is believed that the Hindu god, Lord Krishna, had blue skin. Blue also represents the vastness of the sky and the oceans. It is a color that is commonly used for clothing, especially in the rural parts of India. One of the international surveys on color confirmed blue to be the most popular colors amongst all participant countries because of the calming effect.
This is also the reason why many offices (international as well) use blue hues in their architecture to promote productivity amongst the employees.
Saffron: Saffron, or kesari in Hindi, is an essential color in Indian culture and the color of purity, spirituality, and sacrifice. The origin of the color can be traced back to the saffron flower, which grows in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India. It is also the color of the Hindu holy man, or sadhu. It is widely used during the festival of Holi and is also associated with the harvest season.
White: White, or swet in Hindi, is the color of purity, innocence, and peace. It is also the color of mourning in some parts of India. Since it repels all colors and shades, white represents the primary nature of a color.
Do you know why, during Navratri, men and women alike wear a specific color every day? Because each day describes celebration of one divine power and its relation to the color!
The colors of India are a reflection of its vibrant culture and rich history. Each color has a unique significance and is deeply ingrained in the Indian way of life. From the bright reds and pinks to the tranquil blues and greens, the colors of India are a true feast for the senses.
I hope you enjoyed this journey through the colors of India. Join me again for my next newsletter, where I’ll be exploring another exciting topic.
Until then, stay colorful!
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FAQs
Significance of colours in India
In India, colour symbolism has a long history. It was primarily connected to the three Gunas (qualities), which governed movement in the universe. Pink, yellow, red, and orange are light, vibrant hues associated with joy, wealth, and passion.
What are the colours of India paragraph? ›
In the national flag of India the top band is of Saffron colour, indicating the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The last band is green in colour shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land.
What are the Indian colors and their meanings? ›
Saffron, which conveys sanctity, is the most sacred color, and can be found on the robes warn by Hindu monks. Blue, which is associated with Lord Krishna, means immortality, bravery, and determination. Green symbolizes a new beginning as well as the harvest and happiness. Yellow stands for knowledge and learning.
What is the original colour of India? ›
A few days before India became independent on 15 August 1947, the specially constituted Constituent Assembly decided that the flag of India must be acceptable to all parties and communities. A modified version of the Swaraj flag was chosen; the tricolour remained the same saffron, white and green.
What is the origin of the colors? ›
Aristotle developed the first known theory of color, suggesting that all colors came from white and black (lightness and darkness) and related them to the four elements – water, air, earth, and fire.
Why is India so colorful? ›
Colors in Indian clothing trace their origins to ancient traditions and beliefs. The vibrant palette was not just about aesthetics but held symbolic meanings deeply rooted in cultural practices. Each color had its significance, representing emotions, rituals, and societal roles.
Which is the king of colors in India? ›
Red is the king of colors. It is the symbol of love, energy and strength.
Where did the Indian blue color come from? ›
As early as more than 5,000 years ago, our ancestors in India, East Asia and Egypt, as well as probably the Maya, used the blue dye derived from the Indigofera Tinctoria plant to dye their clothes.
How many colors are there in India? ›
There are three colors on the National Flag of India which are Saffron, White, and Green. This is the reason why it is known as “Tiranga” in Hindi which means 'three colors'. Apart from these three colors, there is an Ashoka Chakra in the middle which represents the rules of Dharma.
What is the sacred color of India? ›
The color Saffron (Hindi: भगवा, romanized: Bhagawā) is considered as a sacred color in Hinduism. According to Hindu mythology, Saffron (or Kesariya) is the color of Sunset (Sandhya) and Fire (Agni) which symbolises sacrifice, light, and quest of salvation.
So, let's dive in and explore some of the most popular colors of India and their histories. Red: Red, or laal in Hindi, is a color that holds immense significance in India. It represents love, passion, and fertility. The color is widely used during weddings and other auspicious occasions.
What are the 4 native colors? ›
Each of the Four Directions (East, South, West, and North) is typically represented by a distinctive color, such as black, red, yellow, and white, which for some stands for the human races. The Directions can also represent: Stages of life: birth, youth, adult (or elder), death.
What is India official color? ›
Asia
| Country | Primary colours | Secondary colours |
|---|
| India | Saffron orange, blue, white and green | Sky blue (sports) |
| Indonesia | Red and white | Green (sports) |
| Iran | Green, white and red | Black |
| Iraq | Red, white, black and green | |
41 more rowsKisan Kanya was a 1937 Hindi Cinecolor feature film which was directed by Moti Gidwani and produced by Ardeshir Irani of Imperial Pictures. It is largely remembered by the Indian public on account of it being India's first indigenously made colour film.
What is the lucky color in India? ›
What colors are for good luck? The colors green, red and blue is said to bring good luck. Green is considered the lucky color of the day for hope and renewal. Other lucky colors of the week include red which is associated with romance and passion as it was once the only color worn by the Romans on their wedding day.
What is the color theory for Indians? ›
Sattva, or goodness, serenity, and purity, is represented by white; Rajas, or energy and passion, is associated with red - the color of passion, energy, fire, activity, and anger; and Tamas, or inertia, apathy, and negativity, is almost always depicted by black. Indian tradition associates color with emotion.
Which is the first colour in India? ›
Which is the first color film of India? Kisan Kanya was a 1937 Hindi Cinecolor feature film which was directed by Moti B. Gidwani and produced by Ardeshir Irani of Imperial Pictures. It is largely remembered by the Indian public on account of it being India's first indigenously made colour film.
Why is India's color blue? ›
The answer came from an unexpected source: the Ashok Chakra, the blue wheel with 24 spokes on India's flag. This blue, symbolizing progress and dynamism, became the perfect choice.
