Why Are the Christmas Colors Red and Green?
- ️@readersdigest
- ️Fri Dec 20 2024
Christmas is a magical time bursting with beloved traditions like caroling, writing letters to Santa and sharing festive joy through gift-giving. But one of the true highlights of the season? Decorating your home with beautiful Christmas colors that fill every corner with the holiday spirit.
We all know red and green are the classic Christmas colors, but do you know the history behind them? If you’re curious, we’ve got the inside scoop from plant color expert Angelo Randaci and art historian Spike Bucklow, who explain the meaning behind these iconic hues. Of course, red and green aren’t the only colors that can brighten your Christmas festivities. Keep reading to discover all the Christmas colors that can make your holiday even more vibrant and memorable.
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Why do we have Christmas colors?
Many holidays have signature colors. One reason is that people find meaning in certain colors. In fact, colors alone can evoke particular feelings or memories, says Randaci. For instance, just seeing a red and green poinsettia may bring back vivid memories of Christmas Eve at your grandmother’s home and all the happy feelings you experienced there.
There may also be an economic reason: Signature colors help with marketing and branding products related to a holiday. You may already own a door wreath, but buying a new one decorated with red and green will show your Christmas spirit (especially according to the company that makes the holiday wreath).
Why are red and green Christmas colors?
The classic color combo goes back to an artist in the 1920s. No, wait—it traces back to Victorian Christmas cards in the 1800s. Or is it from painted medieval church panels? The truth is, Christmas colors stem from all this, and the history goes back even further, according to Bucklow, who has done extensive research on this topic. “We associate Christmas with red and green because that’s the way we’ve always done it,” he explains. “But one can trace the roots of this color coding back through the centuries, to a time when the colors themselves had symbolic meaning, possibly as a way of accentuating a significant division or a boundary.”
Centuries ago, ancient Celtic peoples revered red- and green-colored holly plants for being evergreen, and they believed holly was meant to keep the Earth beautiful during the dead of winter. They used the bright plant as a symbol of protection and prosperity in their midwinter celebrations.
After that, red and green were a common pairing used on religious screens, called roods, in medieval churches. It was likely due to the availability of ink pigments at the time, but it solidified the color combo and associated it with Jesus. People during the Victorian era continued those color themes through their Christmas decorations and in their cards, combining both the winter and religious symbolism.
You can thank Coca-Cola for popularizing the Christmas colors in Americana. Their advertising in the early 1900s featured a grandfatherly man with rosy cheeks, a white beard and red clothing with green accents. It was so popular that it became the default image of Santa and branded red and green as Christmas colors in marketing.
What are all of the Christmas colors, and what do they mean?
Red and green are the classic Christmas colors, but they’re not the only hues associated with the holiday—and each one has its own special meaning, says Randaci. It’s definitely something to keep in mind when choosing Christmas ornaments and other assorted holiday decor.
Red
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This deep hue symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ, the person whose birth the holiday celebrates. It is also associated with Santa Claus and his distinctive outfit. In general, red is often used to represent love, courage and romance, other popular holiday themes.
Green
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Evergreen plants like holly and mistletoe are used at Christmastime to represent Christ’s life and eternal nature. In pagan times, they were a powerful reminder that nature keeps growing, even through the cold times. Green often symbolizes money, good luck and health through the holidays and into the new year.
Gold
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Bright gold is an oft-used representation of the sun and the son (meaning the son of God) and is used at Christmastime to bring light into the darkness. The beautiful metal was also one of the gifts the wise men brought to the baby Jesus and is still a popular holiday gift. Gold is used to convey wealth, prosperity and glamour.
White
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What is more Christmasy than a blanket of fresh white snow? (At least in the Northern Hemisphere!) White also hearkens back to pagan winter solstice festivals. It represents purity and the triumph of good over evil, two powerful themes at Christmastime.
Purple
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This rich shade may not be at the top of your list when you think of Christmas colors, but it is the main color of Advent, the period before Christmas, when Christians fast and repent in anticipation of Christ’s birth. Purple symbolizes royalty, luxury and a sense of magic or whimsy.
FAQs
Is pink a Christmas color?
Yes, pink is officially a Christmas color! In fact, it’s so popular that many now call it “Pinkmas.” Pink adds a fresh, playful twist to holiday decor, and it’s more than just trendy—it symbolizes love and affection, which makes it perfect for the Christmas season.
Is orange a Christmas color?
If you’re a fan of this hue, we hate to break it to you: Orange isn’t considered a traditional Christmas color. But that doesn’t mean it can’t add flair to your holiday decor! Use orange as an accent by adding vibrant orange ornaments to your Christmas tree or wreaths for a bold, festive twist. It’s the perfect way to make your decorations stand out while still keeping that holiday spirit alive.
About the experts
- Angelo Randaci is the horticulturist at Earth’s Ally, a company that sells insecticides and disease- and weed-control products. Randaci has more than 30 years of experience working with plants, with his passion leading him to explore the different areas of horticulture, including the history of plant colors. He also serves as the director of horticulture and education for the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati and helped develop the first master gardener program in the city.
- Spike Bucklow, PhD, is the senior research scientist from the University of Cambridge’s Hamilton Kerr Institute’s Fitzwilliam Museum. Bucklow’s first degree was in chemistry, but after exploring his interest in art, he began making special effects for TV and film, including Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Bucklow has taught the conservation of paintings for 20 years and is the author of numerous critically acclaimed books, including The Alchemy of Paint, The Riddle of the Image and The Anatomy of Riches. He
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on Christmas colors, we spoke with plant color expert Angelo Randaci and art historian Spike Bucklow. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Angelo Randaci, expert in the symbolism of plant colors and master gardener and horticulturist at Earth’s Ally
- Spike Bucklow, PhD, art historian and senior research scientist from the University of Cambridge’s Hamilton Kerr Institute
- Coca-Cola: “Does Santa Claus traditionally wear red because it’s the colour of Coca-Cola?”