In
India, colours play a very important role in religion and cultures,
showing a very deep significance that transcends purely decorative
values. Artists use color on the deities and their dresses signifying
their qualities. Proper use of colors creates an environment, which
should keep a person cheerful. Some of the main colors used in religious
ceremonies are red, yellow (turmeric), green from leaves, white from
wheat flour. etc. The main color that most Eastern religions and cultures use is Saffron.
Hinduism:
If there is any colour that symbolizes all aspects of
Hinduism, it is Saffron – the colour of Agni or fire. Fire burns away
the darkness and brings light and it is symbolic of knowledge burning
ignorance. Fire also shows the spirit of Yagna (Ritual of the sacred
fire) which is important to Self knowledge. As such, the fire altar is
regarded as a distinct symbol of ancient Vedic rites.
A colour of purity, it represents religious abstinence, purging and
resultant purity. It is the colour of saints and ascetics, those who
have renounced the world. Wearing saffron colour symbolizes the quest
for Knowledge of Godhead.
In symbolism, Saffron comprises of the colours of Sun, Mars and Jupiter that relates to:
Driving the Desire (Mars) for Truth or Moksha, liberation (Sun) with the help of knowledge and one who dispels it (Jupiter).
When sages moved from one ashram to another, it was customary to
carry fire along. The inconvenience to carry a burning substance over
long distances may have given rise to the symbol of a saffron flag.
Triangular and often forked saffron flags are seen fluttering atop most
Sikh and Hindu temples.
It is the color of holy men and ascetics who have renounced the
world. Wearing the color symbolizes the quest for light. It is the
battle color of the Rajputs, the warrior caste.
Buddhism:
In
Buddhism, Saffron is the color of illumination, the highest state of
perfection. The saffron colors of robes to be worn by monks were defined
by the Buddha himself and his followers in the 5th century B.C. The
robe and its color is a sign of renunciation of the outside world and
commitment to the order. The candidate monk, with his master, first
appears before the monks of the monastery in his own clothes, with his
new robe under his arm and asks to enter the order. He then takes his
vows, puts on the robes, and with his begging bowl, goes out to the
world. Thereafter, he spends his mornings begging and his afternoons in
contemplation and study, either in a forest, garden, or in the
monastery.
Sikhism:
In Sikhism, orange or saffron appears in the form of
Nishan Sahibs (the Sikh flag), the cholas (warrior attire) worn by Panj
Pyaray and Sikh turbans. This is the colour of deep joy and bliss. It
absorbs shocks, nasty experiences and trauma. It’s about letting go of
what holds us back or what is not helpful. Orange is the colour of
connection, a sense of community, belonging and social aspects of being.
Orange is also the colour of second mediation Chakra - Sacral
Chakra/ Hara / or Swadhisthana chakra. This Chakra holds the energy that
gives pleasures of life (Swad-histhana) ... everything from taste and
pleasure of food, relationships, worldly possessions, money, property,
sexual energy etc. Everything that gives the taste of life! Those who
wear saffron clothes, symbolically say that they have mastered the
Swadhisthana chakra - or they have raised above the worldly pleasures.
Saffron is also one of the three colours in the Indian flag,
signifying courage and selflessness. India has a history of brave and
loyal freedom fighters. Saffron indicates the strength of this nation
and its will to give away all for the benefit of its people.
Akshit Kapoor
