The colors we associate with Christmas today actually have a long history and interesting symbolism behind them. While Christmas is ostensibly a Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, many of the traditions and symbols have origins that pre-date Christianity or have secular ties. The three colors most associated with Christmas in modern times are green, red, and gold. But how did these festive hues come to represent the Yuletide season? Let’s take a look at the history behind the colors of Christmas.
The Color Green
Green has long been a symbol of life, rebirth, and the natural world. In pre-Christian Europe, evergreen plants like holly, ivy, and mistletoe were used to decorate homes during the winter solstice, a pagan festival celebrating the renewal of light and life. Ancient Romans decorated their homes with evergreens during the festival of Saturnalia in honor of their god of agriculture Saturn. Evergreen boughs symbolized the promise that plants would grow again when the sun god recovered his strength in the spring. Early Christians adopted some of these solstice traditions and gave them Christian meanings. The evergreen became a symbol of eternal life with God, and holly and ivy were incorporated into Christmas decorations.
| Origin | Significance |
|---|---|
| Pagan solstice traditions | Symbol of life and rebirth during winter |
| Ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia | Honored agricultural god Saturn |
| Adopted by early Christians | Symbol of eternal life with God |
So while green did not originate as a Christian symbol, it came to represent the eternal hope of rebirth and life granted by faith in Jesus Christ. That’s why evergreen Christmas trees covered with glittering lights and decorations remain one of the most iconic symbols of the holiday to this day.
The Color Red
Red is the color of fire, blood, passion, and human warmth. It has long been associated with love, sexuality, power, courage, and vitality across many cultures. In ancient Rome, red symbolized military strength and valor. Chinese brides traditionally wore red as a symbol of love and prosperity.
| Origin | Significance |
|---|---|
| Ancient Rome | Military strength, valor |
| China | Love, prosperity |
Early Christians adopted red as the color of Christ’s blood sacrificed for humankind. Red also came to symbolize the apples on the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the burning bush from which God spoke to Moses, charity, and the Pentecostal fire of the Holy Spirit.
| Christian Symbolism | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Christ’s blood | Sacrifice |
| Apples on the tree of knowledge | Original sin |
| Burning bush | God speaking to Moses |
| Pentecostal fire | The Holy Spirit |
Red poinsettias, Santa Claus’s red suit, and red Christmas cards convey a feeling of comfort, festivity, and belonging during the Christmas season.
The Color Gold
The tradition of gold as a Christmas color comes from its ancient association with wealth, status, and royalty. In Biblical times, gold symbolized virtue, wisdom, and immortality. Early artistic depictions of Jesus showed him in golden robes to indicate his heavenly status as the son of God.
| Ancient Symbolism | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wealth, status, royalty | Divine wisdom, virtue, immortality |
Gold was one of the gifts presented to the Christ child by the three wise men, indicating that Jesus was a king. So gold took on a special meaning relating to the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of the Messiah.
| Religious Meaning | Significance |
|---|---|
| One of the three gifts from the Magi | Symbol that Jesus was a king |
The sparkle and luster of gold reflects the light of God and his grace. Gold ornaments, garland, and tinsel brighten up Christmas trees and homes with the warm glow of enlightenment and divine love.
Modern Christmas Color Traditions
While the symbolic origins of these colors are ancient, some more recent trends have shaped their prevalence as Christmas colors today:
| Color | Modern Association |
|---|---|
| Green | Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, mistletoe, holly |
| Red | Santa Claus’s suit, Christmas cards, poinsettias |
| Gold | Ornaments, tinsel, angel hair, bells |
Coca-Cola’s 1930s advertising campaigns established Santa Claus’s red suit and white beard as the accepted visual depiction of Old Saint Nick. Retailers capitalized on the growing commercialization of Christmas by using colored holiday imagery in their marketing. Gold bells and wreaths beckoned shoppers into department stores to purchase gifts for their families.
Media and popular culture have reinforced these color associations over the decades through Christmas cards, movies, songs, and advertisements. Marketers know that red, green, and gold Christmas packaging will psychologically prime consumers to buy products. It’s common to see everything from soft drinks to smartphones adorned with red, green, and gold accents come December.
Psychological Impact
The prevalent Christmas colors influence us emotionally and psychologically:
| Color | Psychological Effect |
|---|---|
| Green | Balanced, refreshed, harmony |
| Red | Excited, energetic, cheerful |
| Gold | Uplifted, illuminated, prosperous |
Green has a balancing, renewing effect and brings thoughts of nature and the outdoors. Red stimulates cheerfulness, action, and enthusiasm. Gold uplifts our spirits and makes us feel bright. The vibrancy of these colors elicits a childlike excitement and joy during the Christmas season. They remind us of growth, passion, and enlightenment.
Regional and Cultural Variations
While red, green, and gold dominate Christmas in the Western world, other regions have their own traditional Christmas colors based on local culture:
| Country | Christmas Colors |
|---|---|
| Ukraine | Blue, yellow, white |
| Lebanon | Red, green, silver |
| Philippines | Gold, red, green |
In Ukraine, blue represents the sky, yellow symbolizes wheat fields, and white recalls snowfall. Lebanon incorporates red, green, and silver, the colors of its flag. The Philippines uses the traditional gold, red, and green, but blue is also common due to its cooler climate.
Some African nations such as Congo and Kenya use more black, silver, blue, and purple in Christmas decorations since red and green are not as easy to come by. So while the trifecta of red, green and gold reigns in the Americas and Europe, other parts of the world have put their own local spin on Christmas hues.
Conclusion
While now considered traditional Christmas colors, green, red, and gold actually have ancient origins and symbolism relating to life, love, and light. These colors bring to mind bountiful nature, the sacrificial blood of Christ, and the glowing star that announced his holy birth. Their psychological effects elicit cheer, energy, and uplifted spirits during the Christmas season. So the next time you see a verdant Christmas wreath, Crimson Santa hat, or glittering golden garland, consider the rich history and meaning behind these joyful Christmas color traditions.