Here at Peacock Powder, spring is our favorite time of year. It’s when all the beautiful Holi festivals take place, and people of all backgrounds get together and enjoy this colorful Hindu tradition.
There are many different colors of powder that are used during Holi festivals. While they’re all beautiful to look at, these colors have different meanings and significance in relation to the holiday. Before you attend your Holi festivals this year, read up on what all the vibrant colors represent, and keep that in mind as you enjoy your festival!
Red
Red holi powder symbolizes love, passion, and fertility. At weddings, it’s common to see brides wearing red, as the color also symbolizes marriage and wishes of good fortune. Aside from weddings, red also represents well wishes for strength, wealth, and protection.
Orange
Orange represents strength, sacrifice, and courage. It is one of India’s most prominent colors, with ‘Men of God’, such as Yogis and Gurus, wearing dark orange (or saffron) robes with bright orange turbans. Orange also represents the sacral chakra, one of the important ‘energy centers’ in the body.
Yellow
Yellow represents turmeric, a powerful spice used in Indian culture that’s powers aren’t just limited to cooking. Turmeric has been used for centuries as medicine, and has been hailed as having special healing properties. The color yellow also represents sunshine, meditation, happiness, and peace.
Green
Green symbolizes happiness and new beginnings when used in Holi festivals. It is used to represent manifestation of divinity, and, in conjunction with the time of year, represents spring and harvest. You can also see green being worn by brides at weddings in central India, to honor Prince Rama, a major deity in Hinduism.
Blue
The color blue represents calmness, serenity, and determination, as it is meant to mimic the ocean and sky. Blue also represents the Hindu God Krishna, who, as the legend goes, was born with blue skin. To honor him, blue Holi powder is thrown.
Krishna is also responsible for the tradition of smearing paint or powder on loved ones' faces. The legend continues to say that, after expressing disdain for his wife, Rhadha, and her fair skin, his mother suggested he smear his wife with colored paint. This brought about a popular Holi activity that is used extensively in modern day, which is covering your loved ones in colored powder during the festival.
Purple
Purple combines the tranquility of blue with the fiery passion of red. It represents wisdom, peace, but also is meant to bring about royalty, wealth, and powder. It’s the color of the crown chakra, which is another energy center as described earlier.
Pink
Finally, pink is meant to represent joy and youthfulness. Like yellow, it’s meant to represent good health and happiness, and those who use it hope to bring that to their own lives. Pink is a favorite among female Holi go-ers, with its beautiful vibrance bringing a playful, energetic energy to the festival.
Holi is a beautiful and sacred celebration, celebrated by millions across the world. No matter how you celebrate Holy this year, make sure to remember the origins and the symbols of the colors you’ll be using. Still in need of powder for your celebration? Head over to Peacock Powder for high quality, affordable Holi powder to use for Holi festivals, fun runs, color runs, and more!
