CONTEXT

1.Introduction to orange colour

2.Significance of orange

3.Culture and history t

4.How orange is related to Hindu

INTRODUCTION
The orange colour of many fruits and vegetables,
such as carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and
oranges, comes from carotenes, a type of photo-
synthetic pigment. These pigments convert the
light energy that the plants absorb from the Sun
into chemical energy for the plants’ growth. Simi-
larly, the hues of autumn leaves are from the same
pigment after chlorophyll is removed.

In Europe and America, surveys show that orange

is the colour most associated with amusement, the
unconventional, extroversion, warmth, fire, ener-
gy, activity, danger, taste and aroma, the autumn
and Allhallowtide seasons, as well as having long
been the national colour of the Netherlands and
the House of Orange. It also serves as the political
colour of the Christian democracy political ideolo-
gy and most Christian democratic political parties.
[4] In Asia, it is an important symbolic colour in
Buddhism and Hinduism.
]
SIGNIFIANCE OF ORANGE
 HISTORY OF ORANGE

Ancient Egyptian artists used an orange

mineral pigment called realgar for tomb
paintings. This soft, sectile mineral
occurs in monoclinic crystals, which
can form into large clusters of scarlet,
semi-precious gemstones. The same
pigment was later used for colouring
manuscripts by medieval artists.
ART
 Why orange color is used?
In India, colours play a very important role
in religion and cultures, showing a very deep
significance that transcends purely decorative
values. Artists use color on the deities and
their dresses signifying their qualities. Proper
use of colors creates an environment, which
should keep a person cheerful. Some of the
main colors used in religious ceremonies are
red, yellow (turmeric), green from leaves,
white from wheat flour. etc. The main color
that most Eastern religions and cultures use is
Saffron.
Hinduism:
If there is any colour that symbolizes all as-
pects of Hinduism, it is Saffron – the colour of
Agni or fire. Fire burns away the darkness and
brings light and it is symbolic of knowledge
burning ignorance. Fire also shows the spirit
of Yagna (Ritual of the sacred fire) which is
important to Self knowledge. As such, the fire
altar is regarded as a distinct symbol of an-
cient Vedic rites.
A colour of purity, it represents religious
abstinence, purging and resultant purity. It is
the colour of saints and ascetics, those who
have renounced the world. Wearing saffron
Saffron (orange like) color represents the color of fire. It repres
in fire and wears the saffron cloth to constantly remind himsel
of the Vraja Homam ceremony that a person embracing sanya

Sanyas is the loftiest ideal of Hinduism. “Tyage naike Amritatv

attained”) says Kaivalya Upanishad. Often, saffron is touted as
significance. When we look at it spiritually, the colour resonate
of the sunrise/sunset (sandhya) and of fire (agni). The Sun and
significant powers. But, as it is a world that is raged by science
hind saints wearing the colour saffron in India? Though the re
they wear it, was there any reasoning behind it being so in the
psycho neurobics, to understand the science behind this choic
Saffron or orange became the symbolic sacred color of Hindus
with bright saffron turbans. Saffron is also the color of the Hin
party. The color features dominantly in the Indian flag. Saffron
 sents renunciation. A sanyasin burns all his desires and duties
lf and others of his sacrifice and renunciation. In fact, as part
as has to do, he conducts a death ceremony for himself!

va manasu” (“only through renunciation, deathlessness is

s nothing more than a religious colour that holds mythological
es with two auspicious things in Hindu mythology - the colour
d the Fire are two of the most important elements that hold
e today, we can’t help but ask if there is a scientific reason be-
eason may not be exactly what resonates in their minds when
first place? We talked to Dr BK Chandrashekhar, an expert in
ce of colour and he has interesting scientific insights to share.
s. Yogis, gurus, and ‘men of God’ wear saffron robes paired
ndu fundamentalist political parties and the current ruling
n color in the Indian flag symbolizes courage and renunciation
KANIKA CHATURVEDI
UBER - C