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Buddhist Art
Colors in Christianity
In Christianity, color symbolism is primarily used in liturgical decorations (banners, vestments, etc.) and to a lesser degree in Christian art. Symbolic colors are rarely used in the Bible. See our articles on specific colors for details.
Colors in Buddhism
Color symbolism is used in a wide variety of fascinating ways in Buddhist art and ritual. In Buddhism, especially in Tibetan Buddhism, each of five colors (pancha-varna) symbolizes a state of mind, a celestial buddha, a part of the body, a part of the mantra word Hum, or a natural element. (Blue and black are sometimes interchangeable.)
It is believed that by meditating on the individual colors, which contain their respective essences and are associated with a particular buddha or bodhisattva, spiritual transformations can be achieved.
Following is a table summarizing the meaning of the main color symbols in Buddhism. Click on the color name for a full article and examples of that color.
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Five Colors of Buddhism
Buddhism includes the concept of five colors (pancha-varna in Sanskrit). These colors are white, yellow, red, blue and green. In the Chandamaharosana Tantra: - Black symbolizes killing and anger - White denotes rest and thinking - Yellow stands for restraining and nourishing - Red for subjugation and summoning - Green means exorcism The enumeration of the colors may change but the number remains five... full article → -
Gold in Religious Art and Symbolism
Gold in Buddhism symbolizes the sun, or fire. The most valuable of metals, it is accorded a sacred status through its association with Surya, the sun god of the Hindu pantheon... full article → -
Symbolism of the (Non-)Color Black
Black, the absence of color, is most often symbolic of death. It can also represent the darkness of sin and hate. ## Black in Christianity In Christianity, black is the liturgical color for Good Friday, which commemorates the death of Christ... full article → -
Symbolism of the Color Blue
Blue, the color of the sky, appears in many religious traditions as the symbol of heaven, sky gods, eternity and spiritual life. Blue is the coolest, most detached and least "material" of all hues... full article → -
Symbolism of the Color Gray
Gray is the color of ash, so in Christianity it is sometimes used to represent repentance and may be used during Lent. full article → -
Symbolism of the Color Green
Green is the color of plant life, abundant in spring. Green is also in the middle of the visible, seven-color spectrum and thus epitomizes the qualities of balance and harmony... full article → -
Symbolism of the Color Purple
In Christianity, purple is the color for penitence and mourning, and is thus the liturgical color for Lent. It is also the color of royalty, and the liturgical color of Advent. full article → -
Symbolism of the Color Red
Red is the color of blood and fire. Throughout the development of civilization, red has had connotations with life and those things considered sacred in some way... full article → -
Symbolism of the Color White
White is occurs when the whole spectrum of light is seen together or when red, yellow and blue colors are mixed. Everything is present in white; nothing is hidden, secret or undifferentiated... full article → -
Symbolism of the Color Yellow
Yellow is the color of daylight, but may also represent corruption or humility. ## Yellow in Christianity As the color of light, yellow may be used to represent divinity in Christian art... full article →
Sources
- Kumar, Nitin. “Color Symbolism in Buddhist Art.” Exotic India Art. 1 Feb. 2002. Web. Accessed 20 Nov. 2016. Excerpts reprinted with permission of the author.