Colour your Existence

Colour is a powerful and important communication tool, and it is tied to religion, culture and sex. The science behind our emotional connections to color is a complicated one but our choice of colour tends to be more influenced by our religion and sex. In Christianity for instance, every Christian event like Advent, Easter, Christmas, etc is marked with a particular colour. In our day to day events and celebrations, we must have noted that the male choice of colours differ from that of female. The male folk get more along with unattractive colours like black, grey, white, dark blue, ash, etc. while the female folk are more addicted to flashy colours like pink, red, green, purple, etc. or combination of such flashy colours. Colours have added value to human existence such that we have glorified them and added meaning to boost their value.

What do Colours mean to you?

Colours mean different things to different people. Here we bring to you the central meanings that have been attached to the common colours that exist among us.

White means clarity, bright and sparkling. In Christianity, white is a symbol of purity, innocence and holiness. It is the liturgical color for the Christmas and Easter seasons. White is sometimes represented by silver. It is seen as the colour of heaven. Purity, virginity, innocence, and transparency go with this color. In Christianity, staining of white garment means sin. In most places likewise, it is believed that the moment the white sky changes colour or there is unusual water discoloration, something bad is going to happen.

Black is dark, gloomy and moody. In some Christian faith, black is the liturgical color for Good Friday, which commemorates the death of Christ. Generally in most places, it represents death, fear and ignorance. Because it is the opposite of white, it also represents hell, devil, sin and condemnation. When something is said to be black, it also means unfaithfulness, dishonesty and evil secret which is also called dark secret. It means something that is not clean or something that is unholy.

Gray is the color of ash, so in Christianity it is sometimes used to represent repentance and is used during Lent. Because it is in between white and black, it is associated with uncertainty and confusion. It symbolizes unknown or hidden secret; something suspicious.

Red is the color of blood and fire. Throughout the development of civilization, red has had connotations with life and those things considered sacred in some way. Danger signs and signals are also often surrounded in red to indicate warning or threat to life. Fire has two faces. It can be a warming life saver or an uncontrollable destroyer. Red is the color of blood and therefore is the liturgical color for the commemoration of martyred saints. Red is used as the liturgical color for Pentecost, since it is the color of fire. It signifies action, fire, charity, spiritual awakening. It is seen as a purifier and danger sign.

Green is the color of plant leaf. In Christianity, green represents the triumph of life over death. It is the liturgical color for the Trinity season, and is used during Epiphany. Green symbolizes the breaking of shackles and freedom from bondage. It is the color of fertility. In the Christian context, it represents bountifulness, hope and the victory of life over death. It symbolizes healthy living, energy, productivity, creativity and fruitfulness.

Yellow represents harvest, hospitality, love and benevolence. Because when the crops are matured, their leaves are usually yellow, this colour therefore is said to represent reaping, harvesting and blessings.

Purple is the color for royalty. Purple is the liturgical color used during seasons of penance, Advent and Lent in Christian faith. It represents royalty, kingship, brevity and leadership.

Brown is symbolic of the earth and was often the color of a monks robe, signifying humility and God's connection with the common place and the ordinary. It is the symbol of nature, inheritance, dominance and humility.

My best colours are Olive green, purple, pink, red and yellow, and the combination of any three or more of the six. What are your colours? You can tell us what they mean to you. Garnish this Christmas with colours.

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

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