Significance of Orange Colour

Here is my entry for this week’s The Daily Post -Orange, Aren’t you glad it is photo time  https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/orange/

 ORANGE – A SYMBOL OF SUN AND FIRE 

Orange, is a warm colour. Have you ever been fortunate to watch a beautiful sunrise? Probably while sitting on the banks of a river or doing yoga on the beach front would be an idyllic place to witness the sky lit up gradually. A change of colour from a dark night to the first hues of pink and orange, and then the rising of the Sun lights up almost a Fire in the sky! Orange twilight. A heavenly gift ! Orange is also the colour of Fire. The base of the fire is a red, bright orange and streaks of yellow radiate forth from it. Here is a photo of the Homam or sacred fire during a prayer. The Sun and Fire have been worshipped by many ancient civilizations and religions. Orange is the main colour in both. Fire destroys or burns everything into ash, symbolically denoted by ignorance or darkness. In Hinduism  and Buddhism, Saffron or bhagwa, as orange is known, therefore is the revered colour, denoting renunciation, removal of ignorance and tyaga – shedding of worldly, materialistic pleasures to attain a Higher knowledge. Thus it is a preferred colour by Hindu priests and Buddhist monks, they wear Orange robes and use orange cloth for temple decorations.

Temple priest wearing orange robes

Floor decoration or Rangoli done at doorsteps and temple altar generally use auspicious colours : Red, orange and green.

Colourful Rangoli floor design

Bright orange marigold or zhendu, as known locally in India, are often the most sought after flowers for decorating temple altars, door entrances and wedding mandap or seating. Once again, orange is the auspicious and revered colour most preferred in Hindu functions.

Marigold garlands

My garden pots have just begun to bloom with Orange Marigolds, just in time isnt’ it. These are handy for daily prayers.

Marigold flower – Orange blooms