The colors red and green have become iconic symbols of Christmas in many parts of the world. But where did these festive hues come from and what do they represent?
The History of Red and Green for Christmas
The use of red and green as Christmas colors is deeply rooted in ancient winter solstice celebrations. In pre-Christian Europe, people decorated their homes with evergreens like holly, ivy, and mistletoe to symbolize life during the cold winter months. These plants maintained their green colors when most other vegetation died off. The color red also had significance as it represented the berries that grew on these winter plants.
When Christianity began to spread throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, these plants and colors continued to be used in Christmas celebrations. Red symbolized the blood of Christ and green depicted eternal life. These colors were often used together to represent the nativity story – green for the palms that greeted Jesus and red for the blood he shed on the cross.
By the Victorian era in the 19th century, the use of red and green for Christmas was well established. The Victorians took inspiration from older solstice traditions, medieval artwork, and the growing popularity of Christmas cards featuring red and green motifs. Red poinsettias also became a popular Christmas plant during this period.
Modern Associations of Red and Green
Today, red and green remain the most traditional and widely recognized colors of Christmas in Western culture. Here are some of the common modern associations with red and green holiday decor:
- Green Christmas trees – Evergreens trees decorated with lights and ornaments are centerpieces of Christmas today. The tradition of decorating pine and fir trees began in 16th century Germany, and the trees are now a ubiquitous Christmas symbol.
- Red poinsettias – Named after Joel Poinsett, who introduced them to the United States from Mexico in the 19th century, vibrant red poinsettia flowers have become a popular Christmas plant.
- Red and green Christmas lights – Strings of electric lights in red and green are used extensively to decorate homes, trees, wreaths and public spaces like shops and town squares.
- Red and green wrapping paper – Presents stacked under the Christmas tree are part of holiday tradition. Wrapping paper with red and green patterns or solids is commonly used.
- Red and green ornaments – Christmas trees are adorned with spherical glass ornaments in red, green, gold and other colors. Red and green are often used together.
- Red Santa suits – Santa Claus is pictured in a red suit with white fur trim as a key figure of Christmas. Red represents the warmth and joy Santa brings.
- Red and green candy canes – Candy canes with red and white striped patterns first appeared in the 1900s and are now a popular Christmas treat.
Meanings Behind the Colors
So what exactly do red and green represent in Christmas celebrations today? Here are some of the common symbolic meanings:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Love, passion, warmth, the blood of Christ |
| Green | Life, rebirth, nature, the eternal |
More specifically:
- Red symbolizes the love of God, the passion of Christ, and warmth, comfort and good cheer.
- Green represents the eternal life promised by Christ’s death and resurrection, as well as the new life experienced through faith in God.
- Together, red and green depict the message of Christmas – the birth of Jesus and the new life he offers.
Red and Green in Other Holiday Decor
Red and green are most strongly associated with Christmas, but they can also be incorporated into other winter holiday decorations:
- Hanukkah – Blue is the traditional color, but red and green can complement blue decorations.
- Kwanzaa – Red, green and black are the symbolic Kwanzaa colors representing struggle, hope and unity.
- New Year’s Eve – Red and green can accent classic black, gold and silver New Year’s decor.
For these holidays, red and green still symbolize joy, hope and renewal when used appropriately.
Red and Green in Other Cultures
While red and green are considered the customary Christmas colors in the United States and Europe, other parts of the world have different color palettes for holiday celebrations:
- Latin America – Red, green and white are popular Christmas colors.
- China – Red and gold are symbolic Chinese New Year colors.
- Japan – White and silver are commonly used for New Year celebrations.
- Hawaii – Pink, purple, red, silver and gold decorate Hawaiian Christmas decor.
So while red and green are the most widespread Christmas colors, beautiful holiday decor certainly doesn’t have to follow any color “rules”!
Creative Uses of Red and Green
When decking the halls this holiday season, feel free to get creative with red and green schemes:
- Showcase one color more prominently than the other.
- Incorporate red and green with metallics like gold and silver.
- Use red and green alongside wintery colors like white, blue and silver.
- Play with shades and tints by using darker reds or lighter greens.
- Add red berries or flowers as accents in a mainly green winter display.
- Use red only in small doses to make it pop against neutral backgrounds.
The options are endless for giving timeless red and green colors a unique new look!
Red and Green Gifts
Red and green make great color choices for Christmas gifts as well. Here are some fun ideas for presents in festive red and green:
- Home decor – Think red or green candles, Christmas pillows or blankets, holiday kitchen towels.
- Clothing and accessories – Consider red or green scarves, mittens, sweaters, ties, or jewelry.
- Food gifts- Make red and green part of the presentation with cookies, candy, or Christmas tea.
- Toys and games – Look for red and green colors in toy cars, stuffed animals, playing cards, or game pieces.
- Stationery – Choose red or green notebooks, pens, stickers, or notecards.
A gift is sure to feel special and seasonal when wrapped in red or green paper or styled with a touch of red or green ribbon or bow.
Conclusion
Red and green have symbolized the holiday spirit for generations and remain cherished Christmas colors today. Whether displayed through traditional decorations like evergreens and poinsettias or incorporated more creatively into other color schemes, red and green retain strong associations with the joy, hope, comfort and renewal of the Christmas season. So consider using these classic colors when decorating, entertaining and exchanging gifts this year – and spread the timeless holiday magic of red and green!
