Colors can have symbolic meanings and associations, especially when used in a religious context. For Christianity, the color most commonly associated with Jesus Christ is white. However, other colors like red, purple, and blue also have connections to Christ. In this article, we’ll explore the symbolic meanings behind these colors and look at why they are linked to Jesus in the Bible and Christian tradition.
White
White is the color most often associated with Jesus Christ. This stems from several biblical references that connect Christ with white clothes or a white light.
In the Gospel accounts of the transfiguration, Jesus’ appearance changes and his clothes become a dazzling white as he speaks with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:3, Luke 9:29). White here symbolizes Christ’s divine glory and splendor.
At Christ’s resurrection, the Bible describes the angel at the tomb wearing a white robe (Mark 16:5) and the garment worn by the resurrected Jesus as white as snow (Matthew 28:3). White thus represents Christ’s purity and holiness as well as his victory over death.
In the Book of Revelation, Christ is described as having white hair, white garments, and eyes of blazing fire (Revelation 1:14-15). The white hair and garment symbolize His wisdom, eternity, and righteousness.
Across these biblical accounts, white represents qualities associated with Christ like holiness, purity, glory, and resurrection. White clothes were also worn by ancient priests and other holy figures, adding to the symbolic link between white and righteousness. For these reasons, white has become the main color associated with Jesus in Christianity.
Red
Red is another significant color connected to Christ, representing His sacrifice and bloodshed on the cross. In the Bible, Isaiah foretells the Messiah’s suffering, saying “He wore red garments like those of one treading the winepress” (Isaiah 63:2). This pits Christ’s red robe against the red juice of trodden grapes, alluding to the shedding of His blood for mankind’s sins.
This connection deepened in Christian tradition regarding Christ’s crucifixion wounds. Red became linked to the blood dripping from Jesus’ hands, feet and side. It also symbolized the blood sacrifice He made to atone for human sin. That’s why red is prominent in artistic depictions of the crucifixion, the Eucharist, and saints who were martyred for their faith, mirroring Christ’s sacrifice.
Beyond its biblical links with sacrifice, red has also signified Christ’s love, passion, and the Holy Spirit in various Christian traditions. While not as universally connected to Christ as white, red remains an important symbolic color in Christianity.
Purple
Purple is less commonly associated with Christ but still carries important symbolism linked to His divine kingship and authority. In the Roman era, purple dye was rare and expensive, worn by nobility and rulers. Thus, purple garments began to signify high social status and wealth.
In the Gospel accounts of Christ’s Passion, the Roman soldiers mock Jesus as “King of the Jews” by clothing Him in a purple robe and crown of thorns (Mark 15:17, John 19:2-3). Though done as ridicule, the purple robe unintentionally points to Christ’s true kingship that’s spiritual rather than political.
Later in Christian tradition, purple retained its royal symbolism, and became a color worn by bishops to show their authority and connection to Christ. Purple vestments and decorations used during Advent and Lent also symbolize Christ’s sovereignty over these important liturgical seasons.
So while perhaps not as ubiquitous as a signature color for Christ, purple often signals His majesty as King, a fulfillment of the biblical prophecy that Isaiah made about the Messiah: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Blue
Unlike red or white, blue has no obvious biblical basis for association with Christ, and developed more from artistic tradition.
In medieval religious art, blue became a common color used for depictions of Jesus’ mother Mary, holy figures, and events with spiritual significance. This extensive use of blue to signify holiness and importance led to it being adopted for representations of Christ as well.
Blue also came to represent heaven, eternity, and divine majesty. With these symbolic meanings, it was fitting for conveying the spiritual nature of Jesus and His divine purpose on Earth.
Through continued use across centuries of Christian art and culture, blue grew into a standard color associated with Jesus along with white and red. While perhaps not as strongly scriptural-based as other Christ colors, blue has become indelibly linked with portrayals of the Savior.
Conclusion
While Jesus Christ is never explicitly described as wearing any particular color in the Bible, artistic and symbolic traditions established powerful color associations that remain to this day. White represents His holiness, purity and resurrection. Red signals His sacrifice and bloodshed to save humanity. Purple relates to His divine kingship and authority. And blue conveys spiritual significance and heavenly origins.
Together, these four colors form a palette indelibly linked with Christ in the minds of Christians worldwide. Their rich symbolic meanings help convey different facets of Jesus’ identity and purpose as told throughout the Scriptures. Whenever we see depictions of our Lord swathed in white, blue, purple or red, these colors help tell the story of Christ and reflect the hope He gives all believers.
References
[1] Nguyen, M. (2019). The symbolism of colors in Christianity. Medium. https://medium.com/@mariahmnguyen/the-symbolism-of-colors-in-christianity-4eac9b5ef17b
[2] Fortea, J.L. (2021). The symbolism of colors in Christian liturgy. Catholic Stand. https://www.catholicstand.com/the-symbolism-of-colors-in-christian-liturgy/
[3] BibleStudyTools. (2020). What do the colors mean in the Bible? https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-do-the-colors-mean-in-the-bible.html
[4] Dixon, L. (2018). Color symbolism in Christianity. Owlcation. https://owlcation.com/humanities/Christian-Color-Symbolism
[5] Murray, J. (2022). The symbolism of blue in Christianity. Synonym. https://classroom.synonym.com/the-symbolism-of-blue-in-christianity-12081863.html
[6] Zuffi, S. (2012). Gospel figures in art. Getty Publications.
| Color | Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|
| White | Holiness, purity, glory, resurrection |
| Red | Sacrifice, blood, love, passion |
| Purple | Kingship, authority |
| Blue | Heaven, eternity, majesty |