Easter today is a special holiday celebrated by many people around the world. It brings together traditions from both ancient times and modern Christianity, creating a unique blend of customs and beliefs.
Long ago, before Christianity, many cultures celebrated the arrival of spring with festivals honoring fertility and rebirth. These celebrations often involved symbols like eggs, rabbits, and flowers, which represented new life and growth. When Christianity spread, these pagan traditions gradually became intertwined with the Christian celebration of Easter.
Nowadays, Easter incorporates elements from both pagan and Christian traditions. For example, the egg hunts and decorating eggs are ancient practices that symbolize new beginnings and the resurrection of Jesus in Christian beliefs. Similarly, the Easter bunny, originally a symbol of fertility, has become a beloved figure associated with the holiday.
5 Springtime Colors & Their Meanings
Here are the 5 Easter / Ostara Colors to reflect and decorate in your home to connect to the spirit of the season:
- Lavender (Purple) - Holds deep religious significance during Easter as it symbolizes penance, humility, and preparation. In the Christian tradition, Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter, is a time of reflection, repentance, and spiritual growth. Lavender, historically a color associated with royalty, is used to signify the solemnity of this period and the need for introspection and self-examination. It reminds believers of Jesus Christ's sacrifice and the journey towards redemption and renewal. In pagan traditions, Lavender symbolizes spirituality, wisdom, and royalty. It was often associated with rituals and ceremonies honoring deities or marking significant transitions, such as the changing seasons. During Ostara, the celebration of the spring equinox, Lavender may represent the balance between light and dark, as well as the awakening of your third eye chakra after the darkness of winter.
- Crimson (Red) - Prominently featured during Easter, particularly on Palm Sunday, to symbolize the blood of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds laid palm branches and cloaks before him. The color crimson signifies the shedding of Christ's blood for the salvation of humanity, underscoring the central theme of sacrifice and redemption in the Christian faith. Traditionally and in The Color Mage Oracle, red is linked to vitality, passion, and life force. In pagan rituals, red may symbolize the energy of the sun and the fertility of the earth. During Ostara, red could represent the warmth and vitality returning to the land as the days grow longer and the earth begins to awaken from its winter slumber.
- Midnight (Black) - Associated with Good Friday, the day of Jesus Christ's crucifixion, as it represents mourning, solemnity, and the darkness of sin. Good Friday is a time of deep reflection on the suffering and death of Jesus, and midnight serves as a visual reminder of the gravity of this event. It symbolizes the grief and sorrow felt by believers as they contemplate the ultimate sacrifice made by Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Black is often associated with mystery, transformation, and the cycles of life and death. In pagan symbolism, black may represent the fertile darkness from which new life emerges, as well as the unseen forces of nature. During Ostara, black could symbolize the dark fertile soil waiting to sprout new growth and the potential for transformation and renewal under a blanket of black ice.
- Aurum (Gold) - Aurum carries significant religious symbolism on Easter, representing divinity, resurrection, and the glory of God. In Christian tradition, Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, signifying victory over sin and death. Aurum is used to adorn churches, religious artifacts, and Easter decorations as a symbol of the radiant joy and eternal life brought about by Christ's resurrection. Gold holds significance in many pagan traditions as a symbol of the sun, prosperity, and abundance. It represents the life-giving energy of the sun and the promise of a bountiful harvest. During Ostara, gold may symbolize the increasing strength of the sun as it brings warmth and light back to the earth after the cold winter months.
- Sorbet Shades (Pastels) - Delicate postmodern colors such as soft strawberry, sky blue, mint green, and lemon yellow, are commonly associated with Easter due to their symbolic representation of spring, renewal, and new life. As Easter coincides with the arrival of spring in many parts of the world, sorbet hues reflect the vibrancy and cleanliness of blooming flowers, budding trees, and the awakening of nature after winter. These gentle and light tones evoke a sense of freshness, hope, and optimism, aligning with the themes of rebirth and spiritual rejuvenation central to the agnostic and spiritual Easter Spring season.
Don't Pass Over Pastel
The word "pastel" has a rich history and etymology that dates back to ancient times. It originates from the Italian word "pasticcio," meaning "mixture" or "paste." In the 17th century, this term evolved into "pastello" in Italian, which referred to a type of crayon made from a powdered pigment mixed with a binding agent, such as gum or wax.
The use of pastels as an artistic medium became popular during the Renaissance period, particularly in Italy and France. Pastel colors were valued for their soft, delicate appearance and their ability to create subtle, nuanced effects in artwork.
The term "pastel" was later adopted into English in the 17th century to describe both the medium itself and the colors produced with it. Over time, "pastel" came to refer more broadly to any light, soft color resembling those created with pastel crayons.
Today, "pastel" is commonly used to describe a range of soft, pale colors, including shades of pink, blue, green, yellow, and lavender. These colors are often associated with springtime, renewal, and freshness, making them popular choices for various applications, from fashion and interior design to art and graphic design.
This synergy of pagan roots and Christian practices in Easter/Ostara showcases how cultures evolve and adapt over time. It also highlights the universal themes of renewal, hope, and new life that resonate across different beliefs and traditions. So, whether you celebrate Easter, Ostara, or Spring in general, know that the wheel of time continues to turn, so you might as well have fun coloring while you're here.