Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. One of the hallmark traditions of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, a nine-branched candelabra, each night of the holiday. While Hanukkah has no specified color associated with it, different shades of blue are often used in Hanukkah decorations and symbols. In this article, we’ll explore the different meanings behind the use of blue for Hanukkah.
The Colors of Hanukkah
Unlike some other major Jewish holidays like Passover and Yom Kippur, Hanukkah does not have any colors specified for it in religious texts or traditions. However, over time, certain colors have become commonly associated with the holiday:
– White – Symbolizes the purity of the olive oil that miraculously burned for eight days when there was only enough for one day. White is also associated with Winter, the season of Hanukkah.
– Silver and Gold – Represent the menorah, its candles, and the miraculous events celebrated on Hanukkah. The gold and silver Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins) given as gifts also connect to these metallic colors.
– Blue – Reminds us of the blue skies and cool winter nights of the season. Different shades of blue are often used on Hanukkah decorations.
– Purple – Royalty and pride are associated with purple. Historically, purple dyes were very rare and expensive, worn only by kings and nobles. Using purple for Hanukkah connects to the miracle and triumph being celebrated.
So while no color is officially designated for the holiday, blue and purple are two of the most popular choices for Hanukkah.
Meaning Behind Blue
Blue is a cool, calming color that calls to mind beautiful clear skies and cool winter days. Since Hanukkah falls in December, blue’s association with winter makes it a fitting choice. More deeply, the different shades of blue hold symbolic meaning for the Festival of Lights:
Light Blue
– Peace, Harmony, Tranquility – Reminds us of the meaning behind the story of Hanukkah, believing in the power of light over darkness, liberty over oppression.
– Spirituality, Truth – Recalls the spiritual quest for truth and the struggle the Maccabees went through to preserve their faith and God’s home, the temple in Jerusalem.
Royal Blue
– Royalty – Hanukkah celebrates the triumph and miracles given by God to the small group of Maccabees in their fight against the mighty Assyrian-Greeks.
– Nobility – Honoring the courage and perseverance of the Maccabees and their noble fight for liberty.
Navy Blue
– Trust, Loyalty, Wisdom – The Maccabees stayed loyal and true to God and displayed wisdom in rededicating the temple.
– Confidence, Truth – By sticking firm to their beliefs and fighting for liberty, the Maccabees showed great confidence and dedication to their truth.
Blue-Violet / Indigo
– Imagination, Inspiration – The legend of the oil burning for eight days inspires Jewish people today to imagine possibilities beyond everyday limitations.
– Magic, Mystery – Hanukkah is the holiday of miracles and magic, reminding us that amazing, unexplainable events can happen through faith in God.
Use of Blue in Hanukkah Decor
Given these symbolic meanings, blue is frequently used in Hanukkah decorations:
– Blue candles – In addition to the traditional white candles, using blue Hanukkah candles connects to tranquility, wisdom, and confidence in God.
– Blue tablecloths – Draping a blue tablecloth over the table where the menorah sits brings feelings of spirituality, inspiration, and community.
– Blue and white dreidels – Spinning the blue and white dreidel represents the joy and magic of Hanukkah.
– Blue string lights – Decorating the home with cool blue string lights mimics the Hanukkah miracle of light glowing in the darkness.
– Blue ornaments – Hanging blue dreidels, Stars of David, and menorah ornaments reminds us of the blessings of the season.
While any shade of blue can work for Hanukkah, light blue and royal blue tend to be the most popular. The cool, calming nature of blue makes it a wonderful reflection of Hanukkah.
Popular Hanukkah Blue Shades
Here are some of the most common shades of blue used for Hanukkah decorations and their hex color codes:
| Hanukkah Blue Shade | Hex Color Code |
| Baby Blue | #89CFF0 |
| Columbia Blue | #C4D8E2 |
| Light Blue | #ADD8E6 |
| Powder Blue | #B0E0E6 |
| Sky Blue | #87CEEB |
| Light Steel Blue | #B0C4DE |
| Pale Blue | #D1E9F9 |
| Carolina Blue | #8AB9F1 |
| Hanukkah Blue | #4F8DFD |
These light, airy shades of blue evoke feelings of spirituality, openness, imagination, and tranquility perfect for the mood of Hanukkah.
Bolder, deeper blues like royal blue (#4169E1), navy blue (#000080), and sapphire blue (#082567) are also great Hanukkah colors when you want to represent confidence, nobility, loyalty, and royalty.
Use of Blue in Other Hanukkah Symbols
In addition to decorations, blue also makes an appearance in other Hanukkah symbols and traditions:
– Jewish prayer shawls (tallit) – Jewish men and boys are commanded to wear a prayer shawl during morning prayers. The shawl often has blue or black striped tassels dyed with a blue dye called tekhelet.
– Israeli flag – The flag of Israel features a light blue Star of David and stripes. It’s common to display Israeli flags during Hanukkah in solidarity with the Jewish state.
– Blue food – Some traditional Hanukkah dishes feature blue coloring, like blue potato latkes made using blue food dye or butterfly pea flowers.
– Blue clothing – Some Jewish families wear blue clothing or accessories during Hanukkah gatherings to connect with the spirit of the holiday.
So blue appears not only in decorations, but also in important spiritual objects, national pride symbols, cuisine, and clothing.
Blue in Other Cultures
Blue is a significant color in many world cultures and religions beyond just Hanukkah traditions. Here are some other examples:
– In Hinduism, blue is associated with Krishna and represents infinity, the expanse of the sky and sea.
– In Islam, blue is the color of heavenly beauty, sincerity, protection, and spiritual fulfillment.
– In the Western world, blue represents tranquility, stability, inspiration, wisdom, and trust.
– Buddhists believe blue brings inner peace and is the color of the infinite Buddha nature.
– Judaism sees blue as holy, divinely inspired, and part of God’s throne in a vision described by the prophet Ezekiel.
So in cultures and faiths around the globe, blue often carries spiritual significance representing truth, devotion, serenity, and the divine.
Conclusion
While Hanukkah has no officially designated color, shades of blue perfectly capture the essence of the holiday. The cool tranquility of blue evokes the spirituality of the season, the glow of the menorah lights, the wisdom and perseverance of the Maccabees, and the presence of God’s miracles. Blue represents confidence, imagination, loyalty, royalty, and community. For Jewish families all over the world, blue is the perfect color to celebrate the miracles and light of Hanukkah.
