The Hidden Symbolism
of Colors in Western Art
For
painters of the
Byzantine,
Gothic and
Early Renaissance
periods, fruit was part
of a rich visual
language.
Art-works exhibited in
public, mostly in
churches and
courthouses, were a
stern proclamation that
everyone could readily
understand. William
H. Hunt once wrote "When
language was not
transcendental enough to
complete the meaning of
a revelation, symbols
were relied upon for
heavenly teaching, and
familiar images, chosen
from the known, were
made to mirror the
unknown spiritual
truth." Paintings, with their
layer upon layer of
vivid symbolism, served
as a grim reminder to
anyone harboring lustful
thoughts or indulging in
carnal pleasures.
They
warned the viewer that
death was just around
the corner and Satan was
at the ready with his
pitchfork. Paintings
throughout Western
history have been used
as guides in
illuminating the divine
mysteries of Gods Holy
Word. Byzantine,
Gothic and Early
Renaissance paintings
are rich in
philosophical and
Christian symbolism
regarding the Colors.
The symbolic
interpretation of Colors
used in Byzantine,
Gothic and Renaissance
Painting
Blue -
symbolizes purity; The
Virgin Mary; Virgin and
Child; The Immaculate
Conception.
Purple -
symbolizes
Christ in Majesty,
In
Byzantine Style
painting
Important Holy
figures wear purple
robes, outlined in red.
Red- a symbol
of greediness and lust.
Denotes sin; sins of
mankind, original sin;
temptation, Judas,
Harrowing of Hell, The
Fiery Furnace, Slaughter
of the Innocents,
Apocalypse
Green -
symbolizes the
Resurrection, the
Ascension, Baptism
White - is a
sign of innocence;
Birth, Youth, Betrothal
and Marriage;
The Virgin
Mary; Virgin and Child;
The Immaculate
Conception, The Holy
Family
Grey/Black/Dark
Brown - symbolic of
the Entombment,
Crosses, Crucifixes
Yellow -
symbolizes a remembrance
of the spiritual world ;
miracles, harmony,
sustenance of the soul
Pink -
symbolizes eternal
innocence; The Virgin
Mary; Virgin and Child;
The Immaculate
Conception
Orange - a
symbol of materialism
and desire for worldly
goods in favor of
spiritual health.
Denotes indulgence;
carnal desires, original
sin; corruption, Judas
the betrayer of Christ.