Holi 2023: Significance And Association Of Holi Colours With Hindu Gods

Every colour has a significant religious meaning in Hinduism. Hindus put colours on deities and their “aasan”. Using specific colours creates an environment that keeps one cheerful. Like, coloured water and gulals make the occasion euphoric and joyful. Some of the primary colours used to celebrate Holi include red, yellow, blue, and green. 

Holi splash is a festival of colours, celebrated primarily in India and Nepal. It is a joyous occasion that marks the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. The festival is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and water at each other, dancing, and feasting. Holi is celebrated on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Phalguna, which usually falls in February or March.

Significance of Colors in Holi 

The significance of colours in Holi roots in Hindu mythology and the legends associated with the festival. Holi is celebrated at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, and the colours used during the festival represent the colours of spring. It is a way of welcoming the arrival of spring and celebrating the new life and growth that comes with it. Holi has religious significance for Hindus, and the use of colours during the festival associates with various Hindu myths and legends. 

For example, red during Holi associates with the love between Radha and Krishna, and blue associates with the Hindu god Vishnu. The use of colours is a way of breaking down barriers and promoting unity and harmony among people. The colours are used to bring people together, irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion.

Holi Colors Meaning: 

The following are the meanings and significance and association of Holi colours with Hindu gods: 

• Red 

Next on the list of significance and association of Holi colours with Hindu gods is red. Red is a colour of love, fertility, and passion. It is associated with the Hindu goddess Radha, who is considered the Holi symbol of love and is often depicted wearing red clothes. Red also associates with the colour of the spring season and represents new beginnings and prosperity.

In Hindu mythology, the colour red associates with the fierce goddess Durga and Kali. Goddess Durga wears the colour red, which represents her power. On the other hand, the goddess Kali wears red clothing, which means her fierceness and strength. 

• Yellow 

The next Holi colour theme is yellow. Yellow is a colour of happiness, knowledge, and learning. It is the colour of turmeric, which is an auspicious ingredient in Hindu mythology. Yellow also represents the colour of the sun, which is the source of energy and life. During Holi, people wear yellow clothes, apply turmeric paste on their bodies and offer yellow flowers to the deities. 

Also, in Hindu mythology, yellow is the favourite colour of the goddess of knowledge, aka Saraswati. Along with the goddess Saraswati, the colour yellow associates with the god Vishnu. 

• Green 

Let us hop on to the next colour on the list of Green is nature’s colour, representing harmony and new beginnings. Lord Krishna, who is the principal deity of the Holi festival and wore green clothes. Green Holi also represents fertility and prosperity, which is why people offer green leaves and branches to the deities during the colourful Holi celebrations. However, only people know that the colour green is associates with Lord Shiva since it represents his connection with nature and wilderness. Along with the festival Holi, the colour green associates with another Hindu festival Onam. 

• Blue 

Blue is the colour of the Hindu god Krishna, who is one of the principal deities of the Holi festival. Lord Krishna have blue skin and wears blue clothes, and blue represents the infinite and the sky. Blue is also the colour of peace, calmness, and stability, and it is often used to decorate temples during the Holi celebrations. In Hindu mythology, the colour blue associates with Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna had blue skin. The colour blue represents his divine nature as well as his connection to the infinite and the universe. 

• Pink 

Pink is the colour of joy, happiness, and love. It represents the love between Lord Krishna and Radha, who are considered the Holi symbol of eternal love in Hindu mythology. Pink is also the colour of spring flowers, which adds to the beauty of the festival.

• Purple 

Last on our list of Holi colour theme is purple. Purple is the colour of luxury, power, and elegance. It represents the divine power and the richness of the universe. It often associates with the upper caste and royalty and brings good luck and fortune.

Conclusion: 

The colours used during Holi are not just a means of celebration but also hold a more profound spiritual significance. They represent the diversity and unity of India and remind people to celebrate and respect differences. The festival encourages people to come together, forget past differences, and enjoy the joy of life. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. Why is Holi celebrated with colours?

There are several interpretations of why Holi is celebrated with colours. One of them relates with Lord Krishna and Radha Rani. Once, Lord Krishna was upset about why he is dark skinned and Radha Rani was fair-skinned. So, playfully, Lord Krishna started applying different colours on Radha Rani and other gopis to make all of them look the same. Since then, the tradition of using colours during Holi began. 

2. What are the different traditional Indian colours of Holi? 

Holi is the “Festival of Colors” because of the use of various colours during celebrations. Traditionally, the Holi colours were made from natural materials like flowers and herbs. The traditional Indian colours used in the Holi celebration are red, green, yellow, blue, pink and much more. 

3. What is the story behind Holi? 

There was once a demon king Hiranyakashipu, who was granted a boon by Lord Brahma that made him almost invincible. The king became arrogant and demanded that everyone worship him as a god. However, his son Prahlad was a follower of Lord Vishnu and refused to honour his father.

The king was furious and tried to kill his son, but Lord Vishnu always saved him. Finally, Hiranyakashipu’s sister, Holika, who had a special power to remain unharmed by fire, offered to help her brother by luring Prahlad into a bonfire. Prahlad prayed to Lord Vishnu for protection; Holika was burnt to death while Prahlad emerged unharmed.

The legend of Holika and Prahlad signifies the triumph of good over evil and the power of faith and devotion. 

4. How many types of Holi are there? 

Holi is a colourful and vibrant festival celebrated all over India, but how it is celebrated can vary depending on the region and culture. Some of the different types of colourful Holi celebrations are Hola Mohalla, Lathmar Holi, Dol Purnima, Rang Panchmi and so on. 

5. Who gave Holi its name? 

The word “Holi” derives from the Sanskrit word “Holika”. In Hindu mythology, Holika was a demoness who Lord Vishnu killed. The legend of Holika and her death on Holi’s day is also related to the festival’s origin story. 

6. What is the first day of Holi called? 

The first day of Holi is “Choti Holi” or “Holika Dehan”. On this day, people light bonfires to symbolise the burning of evil and the triumph of good over evil.

Also Read: Significance And Association Of Holi Colours With Hindu Gods

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