Easter Colors: Facts You Need to Know!

easter colors

These are the colors that give meaning to any celebration. As you know, there are certain colors in every celebration. So that celebration is known by those colors. The celebration of Christian Easter is no exception to this rule!

In fact, this religious celebration of Christ’s resurrection is intertwined with beautiful traditions. From painting eggs to hunting for eggs stolen by the Easter rabbit.

But how did the colors give meaning to this celebration? What colors are important for Easter? Let’s find the answers to the questions!

History of Easter

The first Christians first celebrated the Resurrection on the 14th of Nisan, which is today March-April. This date coincides with the Jewish Passover celebration. So Jesus held his last supper on the night of Passover, and was crucified the next day on Passover.

So the origin of Easter was the celebration of the early Christians for Passover. Of course, non-Jewish Christians consider the origin of Easter to be the first Sunday close to Passover. Because they believe that Jesus was resurrected on a Sunday.

Finally, Constantine, who wanted to separate Christianity from Judaism, did not want to celebrate Easter on Jewish Passover. As a result, it was decided that Easter would be an annual Sunday after the first full month after the vernal equinox. While the date of the vernal equinox varies from year to year, each year the date of Easter may be earlier than the previous Easter. In fact, this is the method used to determine Easter today.

an image of a wooden cross sunk into the ground covered with red velvet cloth.

What does Easter mean?

Sixth century author, St. Bede the Venerable, believes that the word Easter is derived from the word Eostre or Eostrae, which means the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. Others, of course, believe that the word Easter is derived from the Latin word “Albis.” Because this phrase is composed of “alba” which means “dawn”. In fact, “dawn” in Old German, which is a prefix to modern English, means “Eostarum”.

What are the customs of Easter?

Easter, like other important Christian holidays such as Christmas, has many customs. Customs such as:

Easter lamb

In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as the Lamb (“behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world,” John 1:29). In ancient times, Christians also placed lamb under the altar to bless its meat and then ate it at Easter. Today, they celebrate with foods such as bread, sweets, eggs, ham and cheese.

picture of a small white lamb on a farm

Painted Easter eggs

For the first time in the 13th century, egg-painting rituals were performed at Easter. At that time, the church forbade eating eggs during Holy Week. So people painted the eggs that the hens laid during the week. On the other hand, the egg itself is a symbol of resurrection. In the Orthodox tradition, the color of the eggs is changed to red to symbolize the blood shed from Jesus.

a picture of a basket full of gray and blue pastel eggs on a wooden table with a white cloth next to it and a branch with small white leaves.

Easter rabbit

In Protestant Europe in the 17th century, Easter rabbits developed an interest in decorating, stealing, and hiding Easter eggs. In the United States, it is customary for an Easter bunny to place a basket full of chocolates, candy, and toys for children on Easter day.

picture of a fat white rabbit in the forest.

What are the colors of Easter and their meanings?

Indeed, there are several colors associated with Easter, each of which has different and symbolic meanings. These colors are also very important for this celebration.

In the following, we will better understand the meaning of Easter colors:

The green meaning of Easter

As you know, green is a symbol of rebirth and growth. Easter is also a holiday that is celebrated by passing the cold season of winter and reaching spring. So without a doubt, green should be the color that is used in Easter.

In addition, at Easter, there are issues such as resurrection, a new beginning, and a new life, which is not so irrelevant as green.

two statues of velvet green rabbits Easter next to colored eggs

The yellow meaning of Easter

Yellow is a symbol of the sun. So it represents energy and happiness. Using this color on Easter lifts people’s spirits and conveys a good feeling to others.

yellow rabbit-painted eggs next to a small doll of a chicken on a piece of wood next to a white vase

The red meaning of Easter

Red is a symbol of the blood of Christ. In fact, the blood shed by Christ for the sake of humanity.  Red is also a symbol of love, sacrifice and suffering. Although most Easter colors are pastel colors, you can use red and its shades.

several red eggs with a picture of a cross painted on them in a glass jar

The pink meaning of Easter

Pink is also a light shade of red. This beautiful color is a symbol of love, happiness, hope and a happy beginning. As at dawn and the beginning of a new day, the morning sky turns pink.

aring made of pink pastel eggs and a rabbit doll with a pink bow tie on the gray door of a house for easter

The purple meaning of Easter

Easter purple is a symbol of repentance, spiritual strength and privilege. This color also indicates lent. In fact, it is a tribute to the suffering that Jesus endured. From dark purple to light purple like lilac can be used on Easter.

a purple easter egg on the table next to a white vase with purple lavender flowers

The white meaning of Easter

Naturally, white is a symbol of purity, innocence and grace. In fact, the color white represents the culmination of the joy of this feast, which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

white easter  eggs with a rabbit's face painted on a white cloth with black spots

The golden meaning of Easter

The golden color is a sign of victory, wealth and glory. Especially the use of this color at Easter refers to the resurrection and victory of Jesus over death.

small golden easter rabbit statue in a bowl full of orange and pink eggs and pink flowers

The black meaning of Easter

As a rule, black is a symbol of mourning and death. This color is commonly used in fasting, mercy, and Easter penance.

black and white easter eggs painted on a white woolen cloth

Why are Easter colors pastel?

Because pastel colors are more like spring colors. Easter is also a celebration that takes place in spring. That’s why most Easter colors are pastel.

If you want to know more about pastel colors, see here!

several blue, orange and pink easter pastel eggs in a wooden basket on the grass

Easter colors outfit

Well, in this beautiful celebration, everyone, including women, men and children, wear their colorful and beautiful clothes so that they can participate in egg hunting.

In the following, I have prepared color palettes for you that if you want to get ideas from them and you can choose the best colors to wear for Easter.

Let’s see them:

Picture of two girls with easter color outfit 1
Picture of two girls with easter color outfit 2
Picture of two kids with easter color outfit 1
Picture of two kids with easter color outfit 2
Picture of two men with easter color outfit 1
Picture of two men with easter color outfit 2

The last word

I will be surprised if I find out that no one likes Easter ?! This celebration is full of beautiful and colorful events.

Things like Easter baskets filled with chocolate rabbits, eating delicious food, wearing colorful and beautiful clothes and finally finding stolen eggs.

Now that you know the meaning of the colors used in Easter, you may celebrate this day with more pleasure!

Now tell me, how do you celebrate Easter?

Posted by
Nazanin

It's Nazanin. For me who loves the rainbow after the rain. What could be more beautiful than writing about colors ?! Well, I'm here now, in Dopely, to share my writings about colors with you and take you with me to the world of colors!

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