Traditionally speaking Christmas colors are red and green. Some folks associate the colors with white and/or gold as well, and every now and then, blue. But how did these colors come to be the most linked to Christmas?
In addition to specializing in painting, L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc. are also expert color consultants and will address how Christmas colors originated!
– Green Color: Evergreen plants have been widely used throughout the centuries, even before Christmas was celebrated. Ivy, mistletoe and holly have been especially used to adorn the dark drab buildings during the long winter months. Hanging these beauties also was a reminder that spring wasn’t too far off and gave the people a needed boost to withstand the freezing weather. In January, as a wish for good luck, the Romans would exchange evergreen branches. In the middle ages, throughout various parts of Europe, Paradise plays were joyfully performed on Christmas Eve. Relating many Bible’s stories that the majority of the people were unable to read. For the Garden of Eden rendition, the Paradise Tree was designed with a pine tree with red apples adorning the branches. Now a days we continue to enjoy Holly and Mistletoe, along with our Christmas Trees. We still strongly associate green with Christmas.
– Red Color: Coming from the red apples from the Paradise Tree reenactment, red represents the fall of Adam. Along with the red on the Holly berries, it also represents the blood spilled from Christ.
– Gold Color: Being that one of the Wise Men used gold as a gift for baby Jesus, many Christians impose gold within the traditional colors at Christmas time. A deeper meaning is gold is a faction of light, glowing from the Sun and depicted more often than not with the Star the Wise Men used to locate the baby Jesus. Jesus is believed to be the light and feeds the people with hope and guidance in the darkness. Some also use the gold and silver together to represent the treasures past around.
– Blue Color: Blue has become traditionally used upon Mary’s robes. During the Medieval period, blue dye was even more expensive than gold. Only royalty and upper class nobles could afford the prestigious blue-colored clothing. To signify Mary’s importance and her role, she is often wrapped in blue. Blue is also the color of the sky and utilizing blue within Christmas decor is a symbol of heaven.
– White Color: In many cultures, white symbolizes peace and purity. The winter also delivers snow, which is white. Along with the apple used to decorate the Paradise Trees for the plays, white wafers where also placed upon the branches to signify the bread eaten at the Last Supper to symbolize Christ’s body. These wafers are continued to be eaten in many Christian faiths to remember the sacrifice Jesus did for the people. Thus, white is often seen with religious ceremonies and decor, and is also used in Christmas themes.
Professional Color Consultants, Interior & Exterior House Painters in Amagansett, East Hampton, Southampton, Wainscott, Bridgehampton, Montauk, Sag Harbor, Shelter Island, Watermill, Westhampton & The Hamptons New York
There are quite a few people in the world who enjoy Christmas, the meaning of the celebration, the kindness others give, the excitement the season has to offer, as a result, they have a room devoted for Christmas all the year long. The room is tastefully painted in the traditional Christmas colors with beautiful trimming and accents. If you find this to be right up your alley, but need help painting a charming Christmas colored room (or any other room or whole building), call L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc today to help get your professionally painted in elegant Christmas colors.