Green is the color of nature, growth, the fields, hope and spring. At Christmas time, as during ancient winter festivals, green indicates our hope that spring will return and reign victorious over winter. Green spring brings life, but eternal frost and winter brings death. Green signifies the abundant providence of nature in the woods and in the fields. It brings us joy, love, and tranquillity. It is the color of women and the planet earth in their roles of bringing forth children and plants. On His way to the cross, Jesus warns the women of Jerusalem, "Do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. . . For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Luke 23:28-31).
Green is also the color of water, especially the depths. It therefore represents the depths of the subconscious and of mysteries, but only as perceived by the initiate. Those who are "green" are considered inexperienced. It is the color of Epiphany both for the Gentile Magi who are initiated into the mysteries of the Jewish Messiah, and of the Christ Child who, in spite of being the all-knowing God, is initiated into the life of man.
Green indicates hope in and contentment with God's providence for his people, both in this world and in the next (Ps 23:1-3). Its association with the tall evergreens makes it the color of triumph, longevity, and immortality. The Celts called their island heaven "Green Erin" - a nickname eventually bestowed upon Ireland. The ever-provident Holy Grail was carved from a green emerald. Venus, also known as "the morning star," is thought to be green. Christ, our hope, calls Himself "The Morning Star" (Rev 22:16).
During the Roman winter festival of Saturnalia, Romans decorated with and gave gifts of green plants, such as holly, for good luck. Green is also considered lucky in the Islamic tradition where green gifts may be given on any morning to wish someone a lucky day. Green has also been associated with justice, freedom, kindness, sympathy, charity, gaiety, and peace.
In spite of its connotations of life and good health, green is also symbolic of death, sickness, corpses and putrefication. The Egyptian god of the dead, Osiris, was painted with green - some say for slime; others say for eternal youth and vigor. (Black was their color for resurrection and immortality.) Satan is sometimes depicted as green.
The One sitting on heaven's throne sparkles like green jasper and red carnelian (Rev 4:2-3). An emerald rainbow surrounds His throne, reminding Him of the covenant He made with the earth - that He would never again send a flood to "destroy all flesh" (Gen 9:13-15).
Unless otherwise indicated all scripture quotes are from the NKJV Bible.
Comments© 1997 by Suzetta Tucker
To cite this page:
Tucker, Suzetta. "ChristStory Christmas Symbols - The Color
Green." ChristStory Christian Bestiary. 1997. http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/green.htm
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