29 Out India in 9 colors
I visited India early this year with my wife and had a great overall experience with fantastic highlights of espiritual and inner meditation.
As a tribute to the sub-continent unique display of contrasts and colors, i would like to share some thoughts on nine colors – relating to the Nine Divine Nights celebrated each Autumn during the indian Navrati.
Navadurga ( Devanagari:नवदुर्गा), which literally means Nine forms of Goddess Durga, constitute, according to Hindu mythology, the manifestation of Goddess Durga in nine different forms. These nine forms of manifestation are worshipped during the Navratri (Nine Divine Nights) celebration in Autumn each year. @Wikipedia
White
The absence of color, and is the only color widows are allowed to wear. It is the acceptable color at funerals and ceremonies that mark death in the family. It reflects the basic quality of the color itself, in principle; white, as a color, repels all light and colors and therefore, when a widow wears white, she disconnects herself from the pleasures and luxuries of active and normal participation in society and life around her.
Red
Red is dynamic and constantly breathing fire in the eyes of the beholder. It incites fear and is the color associated with one of the most revered goddesses in Hindu mythology – Durga. Her fiery image is enhanced by her red tongue and almost red eyes. Red also stands for purity and is the preferred color for a bride’s garment.
Turmeric
While being used for cooking in both the north and the south, is also used in ceremonies offering prayers and marriages. Turmeric (or yellow) symbolises sanctity and is an essential herbal ingredient applied on the body and face by women in the sub continent. In a country steeped in religious beliefs, the origin of most colors lies in the powers and mythical lives of its gods.
Blue
Associated with Lord Krishna, perhaps one of the most favored gods in India.
Saffron
On of the most important colors in India, deep saffron (or orange) is one of the country’s flag colors and symbolic to Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who later became India’s first Vice President and second President, described the its significance as follows:
Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation or disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and dedicate themselves to work. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan @Wikipedia
Pink
Pink is the color of happiness and is sometimes seen as lighthearted. For women who are often overworked and overburdened, an attraction to pink may speak of a desire for the more carefree days of childhood.
Green
Obvious for any agricultural economy, green symbolizes a new beginning, harvest, and happiness. It is also the revered color of Islam, a large religious presence in India.
Purple
The color purple is associated with the 7th chakra, the crown. It is associated with spiritual connection, understanding, knowing, bliss, and God.
Black
Connotations with lack of desirability, evil, negativity, and inertia. It represents anger and darkness and is associated with the absence of energy, barrenness, and death. Black is used as a representation of evil and is often used to ward off evil. This can be found in an age old custom amongst Indians where an infant or, for that matter, anyone looking really spectacular is often traditionally blessed with a little black dot on the chin or under the ear to ward off the evil eye.
Read more at:
http://www.sensationalcolor.com
http://www.ecoquette.wordpress.com
All images © Luis Caria except cover © http://allpicts.in


