Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an important Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE. One of the most recognizable symbols of Hanukkah is the prevalence of the color blue used in decorations. From blue dreidels to blue candles in the menorah, blue is an extremely common color theme. But why is everything associated with Hanukkah blue? There are a few origins and meanings behind this tradition.
History of Blue in Judaism
The color blue has long been associated with Judaism and Jewish culture. In the Torah, the Israelites are commanded to include a blue colored fringe on the corners of their garments, known as tzitzit. This was to remind them of God’s commandments. The dye for this blue color historically came from a marine snail called the hillazon. As the biblical blue color became associated with holiness and God’s presence, it naturally became incorporated into other Jewish rituals and traditions. The color blue in Judaism is linked to concepts like divinity, purity, and immutability.
Blue on the Hanukkah Menorah
When lighting the Hanukkah menorah, known as the hanukkiah, it is customary to have one blue colored candle in the middle in addition to the 8 candles or oil cups for each night. This blue candle is called the shamash and is used to light the other candles. The blue shamash is different from the main Hanukkah candles which are usually white. Rabbinic literature explains that the blue shamash represents the purity and sanctity of the holiday. Blue also reminds us of the beautiful blue skies and oceans that are part of God’s creation.
Origin of Blue Dreidels
Dreidels are spinning tops that are played with during Hanukkah, especially by children. They normally have four sides, each with a Hebrew letter representing “a great miracle happened there”. A lesser known fact is that many dreidels are blue in coloration. This may have arisen to emulate the blue tekhelet dye used in tzitzit fringes. As dreidels represent Jewish identity and connection to history, the blue hue links back to the biblical blue color. Some rabbis also say that blue dreidels are a reminder of the blue sky that God created.
| Hebrew Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nun | Nes (miracle) |
| Gimel | Gadol (great) |
| Hey | Haya (happened) |
| Shin | Sham (there) |
Blue and White Hanukkah Decorations
For holiday decorations like tablecloths, banners, garlands, and wall hangings, blue and white are extremely common color schemes. This echoes the blue and white colors of the Israeli flag and connects Hanukkah back to its historical origins in Israel. As Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees in establishing religious freedom in Israel, blue and white decor is a callback to Israel as the Jewish homeland. The white can represent the purity of the holiday while the blue represents divine presence.
Blue in Ashkenazi Hanukkah Traditions
For Ashkenazi Jewish communities originating in Eastern Europe, blue and silver are customary Hanukkah colors. Silver and blue decorations, clothing, and housewares for Ashkenazi Hanukkah traditions arose in the 19th and 20th centuries. This may have been influenced by the blue and silver colors associated with aristocracy in Europe. Using blue and silver was seen as an elevation of the status of Hanukkah to an equally important holiday as the blue-accented Passover seder. The color blue in Ashkenazi Hanukkah traditions connects the holiday to broader European aesthetic values.
A Mystical Meaning
In mystical Kabbalistic and Hasidic traditions, the prevalence of blue also has symbolic meaning. The color blue represents chedva, which means joy and happiness in Hebrew. The color blue can energize and uplift people from feelings of sadness and despair. Since Hanukkah occurs during the dark and cold months of winter, the color blue brings necessary hope and happiness. The mystical meaning thus ties into the overall theme of Hanukkah as a celebration of staying hopeful despite difficult circumstances.
Blue in Modern Hanukkah Celebrations
While historically there were religious and cultural meanings behind the blue color, in modern times it has also become a way to express Jewish identity. Hanukkah falling close to the Christmas holiday means that blue decorations help distinguish Jewish celebrations from Christmas red and green decor. So using blue serves to establish Hanukkah as a distinct holiday representing Jewish values. The blue color also connects diverse Jewish communities all celebrating the same holiday.
Variations in Hanukkah Colors
While blue is probably the most common Hanukkah color, there are some variations:
- Silver is also very common along with blue in ashkenazi traditions or on its own in sephardic traditions.
- Purple is sometimes seen as it was historically associated with royalty and nobility.
- Red, orange, and yellow can appear as they connect to the flames of the menorah.
- Pink and multicolor rainbow themes have emerged in modern times.
So in summary, while blue is the conventional Hanukkah color, the holiday decor has started to include more color diversity in recent decades. The significance of blue remains, but there is more flexibility in making the aesthetic fit different tastes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the tradition of blue as the representative color for Hanukkah has its origins in Jewish history, mystical philosophy, and cultural identity. The many shades of blue contain diverse meanings related to the heavens, purity, nobility, visibility, hope, and Judaism itself. While originally a set tradition, Hanukkah color palettes have expanded to contain more variance in contemporary times. Regardless of the color, they all serve to capture the holiday spirit and religious significance for Jewish communities around the world. So even as Hanukkah evolves, the blue tradition continues to be an anchor bringing us back to the origins and essential themes of the Festival of Lights.