With Christmas chimes already ringing high, the environment is filled with enthusiasm and oneness. Sparkling rows of red and green lights indicate the festival's onset. Everywhere we find various things in stores in shades of red, be it clothing range, home decor articles, or even edible items that wear the Christmas colors. We often have an implication, or to put it more correctly, we associate each tangible and intangible thing with different colors. For example, when we talk about love, compassion color red flashes in our mind, or red strawberries look so tempting. The color red also symbolizes the color of Christmas eve. Apart from red, the colors related to Christmas are gold, blue, green, and white.
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What is the reason that we relate everything to colors.
Colors are the fastest way to remember things as they control our conscious and subconscious minds. We are subconsciously associated with colors as we are surrounded by colorful nature. The blue sky, green leaves, and beautiful colors of a butterfly. Colors indicate different emotions and signify traditions and characteristics. Colors control how we think and act, as our mind is trained in that manner.
When we know the importance of colors, let's seek the answer to the question as to why Christmas colors are always red and green and what these Xmas colors on the palette signify?
The association of colors varies widely based on the culture and history of a particular place. The color combinations dated back to ancient times and were closely matched with shades of nature.
Historical significance of Christmas colors:
Centuries ago, it became a practice of commemorating different colors with different holidays like
Spring & Easter: Pastel shades
Valentine's Day: Pink & Red
St. Patrick's Day: Green
Autumn festivities: orange and black
How the use of red and green started for Christmas?
According to a belief of ancient European culture, the bright red and green colored holly plant was considered sacred and a symbol of fertility and eternal life. When all the other plants wilted in winter, the foliage of evergreen holly remained lush green, loaded with bright red berries. The earth looked beautiful and full of life during harsh winters when everything seemed dull and white with snow. So, they welcomed the winter solstice by decorating their homes with holly plants, believing they bring good health and good luck in the coming year. This centuries-old practice was one of the reasons for the use of red and green for Christmas.
According to another belief, the holly plant is symbolic of Jesus Christ. The red berries represent the blood Jesus shed on the day of crucifixion, while the pointed green leaves symbolize the crown of thorns encircling the head of Jesus Christ before he died on the cross.
Why our mighty Santa adorns the red attire?
A long time ago, Santa still needed a specific rendition until Haddon Sundblom designed one for the Coca-Cola magazine ads in 1931. Sundblom, an American artist, was hired by coca cola to design Santa for their magazine ads. He gave Santa the jolly look, bearded face, wearing a red-colored outfit bordered with thick white fur, standing amidst the green trees. Sundblom used the color red to match the red coca cola logo. His ads were appreciated the most, and people instantly connected with his imagination of Santa. Till Date, we love to see our Santa in bright red robes distributing gifts and presents to all.
What do other Christmas colors signify?
Apart from red and green, the next in line of the Christmas color palette sits gold, blue, and white. They all symbolize the happy holiday season time of the year. They also hold religious significance; gold represents the gift from the biblical Magi, blue instantly connects us with the blue robes adorned by Mother Mary as a symbol of wealth, and white is revered as the purity of Jesus and peace.
So now we know why our Christmas decorations combine red and green.
Let the magic of Christmas colors spread its positive aura everywhere and bless us all with love, prosperity, good health, and peacefulness.
We wish u all Merry Christmas and a happy new year!!!
Can Santa Claus exchange gifts? Read short humor fiction titled 'Story of misplaced gifts by Santa Claus'.
I was aware of the Coca-Cola version of the modern Santa but not aware that the red berries and the hollyhock stood for the blood of Jesus and the Crown of thorns. Thanks for sharing !
ReplyDeleteI never realy thought of the relevance of the color. Its your post that made me think of it that actually there would be some relevance to it. Great info shared
ReplyDeleteI knew the other meaning of Red and green that you have mentioned in this post. Good to know a new meaning of it. When we know the reason behind the rituals, it gives a new perspective to our celebration.
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting, I know about the interpretation of red in other areas, but didnt know about its connection with christmas or that the 'form' is actually a coca cola ad creation - like wow!
ReplyDeleteThe fact is that every color resemble something or other in our lives, festivals and every activities and emotions we have in life. Great to know the importance and connection of color Red with Christmas
ReplyDeleteAha! So that's the story behind these christmassy colours. Red and green certainly bring cheer and and that festive look. In fact, colors red and green are almost synonymous with Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting, though Red is the color is celebrations but still have never given so much though about it. now reading this post, i am realising all the festive colors. indeed a great way to look at Christmas now on
ReplyDeleteI really didn't knew about it and never ever got a thought that what is the significance if the colour red ?and why does Santa wears red ?..very informative pozt
ReplyDeleteWow! So that's why we see red and green everywhere during Christmas—they just scream festive vibes. I knew red had meanings in other places, but learning about its Christmas connection is pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteRed is such a vibrant colour. Though we all know that Christmas is associated with red, and Santa Claus is one iconic example of this, I was not aware of the real significance. Thanks for enlightening on this aspect.
ReplyDeleteWow! I never knew the deep meanings behind Christmas colors. This was an eye-opener about how traditions and nature intertwined beautifully. Wishing everyone a vibrant and blessed Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteWoww we keep using the Christmas colours for amny things, little did I know it holds so much signifinace and importance, the red berries represent the blood Jesus was definitely I had no idea. Quite an informative blog
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of this and never made an attempt to know about it. I now can tell my kids from your post about the significance of the color now. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI didnt know a lot of things in in here. Your post on the special significance of the color red at Christmas is enlightening. The historical and cultural context provided adds depth to the festive symbolism. I appreciate your concise yet informative approach.
ReplyDeleteAmazing..I never knew Santa got his dress from a coke advertisement. In Mexico red and green poinsettias are placed like a carpet everywhere.
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