by Donna Cosmato

Created on: March 02, 2009   Last Updated: June 08, 2011

The Easter season is a stunning showcase of rainbow colors. Do you remember hunting for colorful pink, purple and blue eggs? Easter can be a time of wearing exquisitely beautiful, pastel-colored new Easter outfits and hats.

Fresh green foliage peeking through the soil is a welcome sight, and clear, blue skies overhead signal an end to the grayness of winter. Lemon-yellow baby chicks, brilliant orange ducklings, and fluffy, white bunnies abound during this season. Now is the time to bring out those favorite recipes and make colorful cookies and desserts. For many, the pastel shades of the Easter season are one sign of the approach of spring.

There is a color palette that is commonly associated with the Easter season and religious tradition. These colors have religious significance and meaning that has been passed down throughout the history of the church.

For the church, Easter is a time to focus on the cross, the suffering, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus. The purple, black, white, green, and other colors provide a visual link to reinforce the message of the cross. Green symbolizes the palm fronds waved by the crowds as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Red, the symbol of blood and pain, is present in Easter tradition. Rich, deep shades of purple are draped around crosses during Lent. Purple is the symbol of royalty and suffering. On Good Friday, the purple cloth is replaced with black. The symbol of sin, death and darkness, black tells us that there is an end to life. As a finishing touch, white (representing purity) transforms the cross on Easter morning. The black color of sin is replaced by the bright color of white, signifying the passage from darkness to light. Gold is symbolic of majesty, while yellow stands for light and renewal. These are some of the colors that are historically connected with Easter and religion.

Research shows that people respond emotionally to colors. Brighter colors energize us, while muted shades are calming and relaxing. Unfortunately, yellow may tempt one to eat too many Peeps marshmallow chicks!  

The soft pastels of secular Easter are symbols of peace, the cycle of life, and a gentle assurance of better things to come. The traditional, vivid colors of religion lead us to think of suffering, sin and the hope of forgiveness and salvation. Surround yourself with your favorite Easter colors this year and celebrate life.

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