Weddings are very different worldwide, reflecting the various cultures and religious traditions throughout various regions. While many Western weddings feature a lot of white with a few select colors for effect, traditional Hindu weddings are an incredibly colorful affair. And these weddings are known to be especially lively and vibrant, featuring elaborate ceremonies and after-parties.
Color often takes center stage in Hindu weddings, contributing to the vibrancy but also to the spirituality of the Hindus. The following colors have important significance in Hindu weddings.
- Red: Red is at the top of every list that discusses Hindu weddings. It is the most popular color for these weddings and is often used in the wedding décor. Red is linked to the Goddess Durga and the planet Mars, which is the astrological planet for marriages. It is also usually the featured color for the bride’s dress, and red sindoor is put on the bride’s forehead to signify fortune and prosperity. In fact, red is so popular in Hindu traditions that contrary to the Western tradition in which it is a faux pas for any guest to wear white as that is the color reserved for the bride, many Hindu wedding guests also wear red, as it is a color that will not offend anyone in attendance. The color red has many positive connotations, as it is associated with new beginnings, passion, feminine power, and prosperity. Therefore, it is considered lucky to wear red, which is why we see it as the most dominant color in Hindu weddings. Red is often featured heavily in the attire, décor, and even small details, such as wedding menus, may incorporate red.
- Cream/Champagne: The color white is typically avoided in Hindu weddings since this is the color that most people wear to funerals. However, cream is a popular color in many weddings, particularly for the bride’s attire. The combination of red and cream is very appealing since red is a vibrant and deep color while cream is a neutral color, symbolizing peace, calm, and relaxation.
- Yellow/Gold: The color yellow or gold has optimistic and cheerful meanings. It also signifies prosperity and opulence. In fact, yellow is the dominant color in the Haldi ceremony, a pre-wedding ritual for the engaged couple in which yellow turmeric paste is applied to both the bride and groom. The natural cleanser gives them a ‘glow’ during the ceremony. And selecting yellow as a wedding color is a way to bring cheer and festiveness to any Hindu wedding. Hindu brides and their bridal parties are often also laden with gold jewelry, although the exact type of jewelry may vary depending on the couple’s preference. Gold may be featured prominently in wedding decorations as a symbol to usher in prosperity for the couple. For example, yellow marigolds are a very common wedding flower.
- Green: Green is another very prominent color in Hindu weddings, as it symbolizes life, rebirth, fertility, harmony, and freshness. Most weddings use lighter variations of green, although this may vary. Many brides also wear green bangles and sarees, which symbolize a new beginning for the bride. Similar to red, the color green is thought to bring good fortune. As the color of henna, green is also featured in the Mehndi ceremony, where the bride’s hands are decorated with henna, which also signifies prosperity for the couple. Wedding décor may incorporate green mango leaves.
- Pink: While most Hindu weddings favor robust colors that are deep, rich, or jewel-toned, pink is becoming more common. Many venues combine it with white for decoration to provide a beautiful and pristine backdrop for any wedding. And many modern Hindu brides prefer a pastel pink for their lehenga, or bridal skirt, which is acceptable since it is in the same color family as red. Pink symbolizes affection, harmony, friendship, and peace – all essential for a lasting marriage. Guests frequently also choose pink as their color of choice as attendees. A darker pink, such as fuschia, is a great option for brides that are going for a more dramatic look.
- Orange/Saffron: As one of the brightest and boldest colors in the spectrum, it should be no surprise that orange is a popular color for Hindu weddings. It is the ideal combination of happiness (symbolized in yellow) and vibrant energy (symbolized in red), which explains why it is becoming a more popular color for bridal attire. Orange can be found in several places in the wedding. Most commonly, it is used as the color of the priests’ robes who perform the marriage ceremony as it symbolizes purity and sacrifices.
- Peach: Peach is a very subtle color also found in the same color family as red. And it is becoming a popular option with modern couples. Peach is a warm color indicating friendship, which is the foundation of a happy and long marriage. And this color often brings out embellishments on the bride, making it a popular choice for modern Hindu weddings. It is often combined with dusty blue since these colors are complementary and form an understated but elegant look for any wedding.
- Blue: While blue isn’t usually heavily featured in Hindu weddings, it is the dominant color of nature and the color of many Hindu gods. For these reasons, many grooms will select blue for their wedding attire since it represents determination, resilience, bravery, and a clear mind. Generally speaking, light blue colors are favored since dark shades of blue can be mistaken for black, which is not generally used in marriage ceremonies.
- Purple: The color purple has long been associated with royalty and nobility across many cultures. It is also symbolic of power, luxury, opulence, and grandeur in the Hindu culture. The color combination of purple and gold is often used in weddings that want to create a luxurious atmosphere for the wedding.
Undoubtedly, bright, bold colors are a hallmark of Indian wedding traditions, but they aren’t chosen randomly. These vibrant colors all have meaning deeply rooted in Hindu traditions. And they often enhance the festivity of the joyous occasion.
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