Easter is a significant Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is marked by various traditions, including egg decorating. Over time, certain colours have become associated with Easter. In many places, there are four main Easter colours – purple, white, yellow and green. These colours carry symbolic meaning and are frequently used in Easter decorations and clothing. In this article, we will examine the history and significance of each of these four Easter colours.
Purple
Purple is the colour most strongly associated with Easter. It represents penance and mourning. Specifically, it symbolizes the suffering of Christ leading up to his crucifixion. Purple vestments are worn by clergy during Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday. This dates back to the 4th century AD. Bishops visiting Rome at the time wrote about worshipping in purple throughout Holy Week to show penance. Purple is also the colour of the veils used to cover crosses and statues during the final two weeks of Lent before Easter Sunday. This veiling ceremony represents mourning the death of Christ.
In medieval times, purple dye was expensive to produce which gave purple fabric a luxurious status. As a result, purple became associated with royalty and nobility. The purple robes placed on Jesus by Roman soldiers who mocked him as “King of the Jews” represent his passion and crucifixion. Purple Easter eggs, purple flowers like lilacs, and other purple decorations traditionally symbolize the suffering, sacrifice and mourning of the Crucifixion. But they also represent anticipation of the Resurrection.
White
White represents light, purity, innocence and joy. It is used liturgically throughout Easter season to represent the resurrection of Jesus Christ. White vestments and altar clothes replace the purple of Lent. White Easter lilies adorn churches and are said to represent Christ’s purity. Romans believed white lilies sprouted where drops of Christ’s sweat fell to the ground in the Garden of Gethsemane.
In many European cultures, it is customary to wear new white clothing on Easter Day to symbolize new life. White doves are also symbolic of both resurrection and peace. In Eastern European folklore, brightly decorated white eggs represent the gift of new life emerging from the tomb. They convey hope, rebirth and new beginnings.
White is featured in Easter meals as well. Easter cakes and pastries are often white and topped with white icing. Vanilla and whipped cream feature prominently. All of these white foods point towards renewal and light triumphing over darkness.
Yellow
The colour yellow evokes sunshine, springtime and new beginnings. It represents hope and new life. In pre-modern times, yellow flowers like daffodils and tulips bloomed around Easter lending colour to the holiday. The yellow yolk of eggs was seen as a lifegiving source. Ancient cultures viewed eggs as symbols of fertility and rebirth. As a result, yellow became an Easter colour associated with renewal and fresh starts.
Yellow candles are often lit during Easter vigil services to represent Christ as the light of the world overcoming darkness. Yellow Easter Peeps candy, yellow jellybeans and yellow-frosted sweet breads also connect to themes of spring, sun and light. The use of yellow in Easter decorations proclaims Christ’s resurrection and the promise of eternal life.
Green
Green represents nature, growth and renewal. It is used liturgically during Eastertide, the seven week season following Easter Sunday. Plants start growing again in springtime. New garments are worn on Easter in medieval and modern times. All of this symbolism associates green with the new life found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The customary meals after the fasting of Lent often contain fresh green herbs and vegetables, especially green salads. Eggs, rabbits and lambs are also Easter symbols pointing towards new life and fertility. Tulips, lilies and other green plants and wreaths are common Easter decorations reinforcing this idea of renewal and rebirth. Green is sometimes combined with gold to represent the triumph of light over darkness.
Conclusion
| Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purple | Suffering, sacrifice, mourning |
| White | Purity, light, innocence, joy |
| Yellow | Hope, new life, springtime |
| Green | Nature, growth, renewal |
The four Easter colours of purple, white, yellow and green hold deep significance. They have symbolic meaning relating to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Purple represents the pain and sorrow of the Crucifixion while white signifies the joyousness of the Resurrection. Yellow points to new beginnings and hope while green focuses on renewal and nature. These colours appear prominently in Easter traditions across different cultures worldwide. From decorations to vestments to egg dye, the Easter palette conveys the Passion, death and Resurrection of Christ. The vivid colours speak to the promise of eternal life secured through Jesus’s sacrifice and victory over death.
