During the Christmas season, which is celebrated to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, you find red and green colours everywhere.
From the twinkle of Christmas lights to Santa’s suit and the decorations that fill our homes, you wonder why the read and green colours, out of all the possibilities, became the official symbols of Christmas.
The story behind the red and green color is more than just tradition; it’s a journey through ancient customs, religious significance, artistic influence, and even a clever marketing campaign that cemented their place in holiday history.
Here is an illustration of how red and green became the official colours of Christmas
Ancient Beginnings
Red and green were associated with winter celebrations long before Christmas was observed. The winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—was a significant event in antiquity. Longer days and the prospect of fresh life were welcomed. These festivities were centered around evergreen plants, like as ivy and holly, which maintained their greenness even when everything else appeared to be dead and parched.
During these celebrations, holly, with its vivid red berries and glossy green leaves, had a special position. Holly was used to adorn houses and temples during the Roman Saturnalia festival, which honored Saturn, the agricultural god. It was thought to bring luck and fight off evil spirits. These interpretations persisted and had an impact on early Christian customs.
The Christian Connection
Christianity did not eradicate pre-existing customs as it spread. Rather, it provided them with new significance. As an example, Holly became a potent symbol in Christian doctrine. It was believed that the spiky green leaves represented the crown of thorns that Jesus wore during his crucifixion, while the red berries represented his blood.
Green, the color of evergreens, also acquired a deeper significance in Christian theology, representing eternal life. As a result of this connection, red and green became integral parts of Christmas art and decorations.
Medieval Art and Christmas Scenes
By the Middle Ages, the colors red and green became prominent in Nativity scenes. Mary was frequently shown by artists wearing red robes and surrounded by greenery as a sign of sacrifice and life. These hues were used in stained glass windows in churches to provide worshippers with vivid, significant imagery. The combination got so entrenched that it began to influence the way that people thought about Christmas.
The Victorian Touch
Red and green’s status as Christmas colors was further solidified during the Victorian era. Many of the customs we now associate with Christmas, such as decorating with evergreens and holly, were made popular by Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.
Christmas cards also became popular at this time, and many of them had holly and other natural motifs in red and green. The hues became widely recognized as the official Christmas palette thanks to these cards.
Santa and Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola gave Christmas a new redesign in the 20th century. Santa Claus in a brilliant red costume, created by artist Haddon Sundblom, was a staple of their advertising campaigns during the 1930s. Santa had previously been seen in red, but Coca-Cola’s advertisements made him popular all over the world.
These ads’ green backgrounds went well with Santa’s red attire, making the red-and-green combination the quintessential Christmas aesthetic.
Modern-Day Christmas
Red and green are used in Christmas decorations, gift wrapping, clothing, and even cuisine these days. Advertisers and brands use these hues to arouse sentiments of warmth, joy, and nostalgia because they understand how strongly they connect with consumers.
A Celebration of Culture and Tradition
It was no coincidence that red and green became the colors of Christmas. They are a synthesis of contemporary society, religious symbolism, artistic expression, and old customs. Think about the origins and significance of these festive colors the next time you see a holly wreath or a red and green Christmas tree.
Therefore, keep in mind that these hues have centuries’ worth of meanings, from ancient Rome to contemporary Nigeria, when you’re decorating your house or choosing your Christmas attire.
Source: Vanguard
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