There are several colors which are traditionally associated with Christmas. This site uses Red, Green and Gold. But why do we have them and what do the colors represent?
Most the colors and their meanings come from the western/northern European traditions and customs, when Christmas is in the middle of winter and it's dark and cold.
Green
Evergreen plants, like Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and that winter wouldn't last forever!
The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid winter festivals.
In many parts of Europe during the middle ages, Paradise plays were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. The 'Paradise Tree' in the garden of eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it.
Now the most common use of green at Christmas are Christmas Trees.
Red
As mentioned above, an early use of red at Christmas were the apples on the paradise tree. They represented the fall of Adam in the plays.
Red is also the color of Holly berries, which is said to represent the blood of Jesus when he died on the cross.
Red is also the color of Bishops robes. These would have been worn by St. Nicholas and then also became Santa's uniform!
Gold
Gold is the color of the Sun and light - both very important in the dark winter. And both red and gold are the colors of fire that you need to keep you warm.
Gold was also one of the presents brought to the baby Jesus by one of the wise men and traditionally it's the color used to show the star that the wise men followed.
Silver is sometimes used instead of (or with) gold. But gold is a 'warmer' color.
White
White is often associated with purity and peace in western cultures. The snow of winter is also very white!
White paper wafers were also sometimes used to decorate paradise trees. The wafers represented the bread eaten during Christian Communion or Mass, when Christians remember that Jesus died for them.
White is used by most churches as the color of Christmas, when the altar is covered with a white cloth (in the Russian Orthodox Church Gold is used for Christmas).
Blue
The color blue is often associated with Mary, the mother of Jesus. In medieval times blue dye and paint was more expensive than gold! So it would only be worn by Royal families and very rich people. Mary was often painted wearing blue to show she was very important.
Blue can also represent the color of the sky and heaven.
Purple
During Advent, purple and sometimes blue is used in most churches for the color of the altar cloth (in the Russian Orthodox Church red is used for advent).
FAQs
Why are red and green the traditional Christmas colors, and when were they first used to signify the holidays? Red and green might be best known for their association with Christmas, but as it turns out, they were first linked to a different holiday: the winter solstice.
What are the colors of the Christmas festival? ›
Why are red and green the traditional Christmas colors, and when were they first used to signify the holidays? Red and green might be best known for their association with Christmas, but as it turns out, they were first linked to a different holiday: the winter solstice.
What are the 3 main Christmas colors? ›
The top 3 Christmas colors are red, green, and white. But there are many other colors that you can add to bring sparkle to your Christmas decorations. Each color has a special meaning and plays an important role in representing what this holiday is all about.
What is the color scheme for Christmas this year? ›
Red, green, and gold are the colors of the holiday season. Red is associated with Christmas, green is associated with St. Patrick's Day, and gold is associated with New Year's. Each color has a special meaning and tradition associated with it.
What are the two traditional colors of Christmas Why? ›
Eckstut says, "It solidified in our collective imaginations the red of Santa's robes with the green of fir trees and holly and pointsettia that we already had in our minds. ... This particular shade of red and green came to signify Christmas."
What are the four popular Christmas colors? ›
The four most popular Christmas colors are red, green, gold and silver, respectively.
What is the best color code for Christmas? ›
Red and green are the perfect Christmas colors.
What is the best color combination for a Christmas tree? ›
Red is complementary with green and while gold is complementary with blue. So if you have a room with a blue or green colour scheme, red and gold might be best for your Christmas tree.
What is the color of Christmas 2023? ›
Lavender. Both specialists and the online world, are beginning to wonder which color will be the next trend color of the year 22/23. The forecast for 2023 is the use of lavender color, whether in design or interior design.
What color nail polish for Christmas? ›
Deep reds are just perfect for the colder months. You can't go wrong matching your nails to your Christmas stocking (or your glass of Merlot). Reds look great on all nails and you can find a deep red that compliments your skin tone.
Green, for example, represents the eternal life of Jesus Christ, just as evergreen trees remain green the whole winter long. Likewise, red represents the blood shed by Jesus Christ during his crucifixion.
Why do we decorate with red and green at Christmas? ›
An Ancient Roman Winter Festival
Homes were decorated with candles and evergreens including holly. The red berries and green leaves became associated with Saturnalia celebrations, and many of these traditions were absorbed into Christmas celebrations in Europe with the advent of Christianity.
What color outfits look best on Christmas? ›
For those who don't enjoy decorating or dressing in the classic red and green Christmas colors, gold, silver, and/or white are often the go-to. Metallic shades of gold are perfect for any fancy event, although you can dress it down a little for more casual gatherings.
How many colors should be on a Christmas tree? ›
For a Christmas tree with colored lights, a good rule of thumb is to stick with no more than three to four base colors. If some of your Christmas tree decorations match the colors of the lights, even better. Once you've chosen your color palette, you can mix and match your ornaments.
What is the most popular color of Christmas tree lights? ›
The most popular LED Christmas light colors are warm white or cool white and the decision for many people simply comes down to preference and color scheme. Cozy and Inviting: Warm White led lights illuminate indoor spaces with a soft glow that is most often associated with traditional mini lights.
What is December 2023 lucky color? ›
The lucky color for 2023 is based on the element that rules the sign of the year -it's a color that promises to bring luck, prosperity, and health and can be used to bring those feelings into your interior design project. Forest green is the lucky color for 2023, a color that can represent both – earth and water.
What is the lucky color for Christmas tree 2023? ›
Green and blue are the most popular lucky colors for 2023, while pink and red are also very lucky colors for 2023.
What is the exact color of the year 2023? ›
Pantone recently announced its 2023 Color of the Year: Viva Magenta.
What are 2 popular Christmas colors? ›
Christmas is all about bright, sparkling colors lighting up the long winter nights. Red and green, in particular, are two Christmas symbols that are instantly recognizable—and can instantly put you in the holiday spirit.
Why is Santa red and white? ›
Many people will tell you that the modern Santa is dressed to match the red-and-white colours of a can of co*ke, and was popularised by Coca Cola's advertising in the 1930s.
Christmas trees lit in assorted colors. One common belief is that red represents passion, green represents vitality, yellow represents brilliance, white represents purity and blue represents a generosity of spirit.
Why is Hanukkah blue and white? ›
But, while blue and white decorations are largely an American phenomenon and not part of the holiday's celebration elsewhere, the most common reason cited for the color choice is an international one: blue and white are the colors of Israel's flag.
