We have so many beautiful colors in nature. Yet we use artificial colors for fabric and other items. These dyes are destroying our rivers, which in turn go into the oceans. The blue used for denim is toxic and children are working in the factories to make the denim that we all find so practical to wear.
I visited a weaving village in Mexico called Teotitlan. This village is renowned for its weaving wares since pre-Hispanic times. The village had to pay tributes of cloth to the Aztecs. These clothes were made from natural dyes extracted from cochineal, indigo, tarragon and moss. I saw the process; it was so wonderful as nothing artificial was used and the weavers gave back to mother earth without harming it. From cochineal, red is derived. Yellow is derived from tarragon and turmeric. Blue is derived from indigo which comes from the Anil (blue) plant. Moss is used for green. The colors are combined to make other colors. Black is derived from charcoal and iron minerals.
The colors have their own language
Red, yellow and orange are known as warm colors. Red indicated sensuality and purity. Blue, purple and green are calming colors. In Hinduism, yellow (turmeric), red, green from leaves and white from wheat flour are considered auspicious.
Red is of most importance as it is used for marriage, birth of a child, festivals and a red mark is put on the forehead for important occasions. Women put red powder made from turmeric and lemon juice in their parting after they are married. Red is also the color of Shakti and a red cloth is put on deities who are charitable, protective and save us from harm. On the death of a married woman, she is wrapped in a red cloth.
Saffron is another important color; it typifies fire, and all impurities are burnt from fire. It also is the color for abstinence and the color for battle.
Green characterizes life and happiness.
Yellow is the color for knowledge and learning. It also works on mental development.
White is a mixture of seven colors and therefore it represents the best of every color. It depicts wisdom and spiritual rebirth. A Hindu widow wears white.
Blue is a color which represents protection and destruction of evil.
Black portrays grossness and purity. Black comes from absence of light.
We have all the colors of nature around us and yet we want more. Hence the acrylic colors, which are so brilliant. Our paintings were originally made from natural colors and ground precious stones. Those paintings are still luminous and exquisite. The artificial colors fade.
“Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions”. – Pablo Picasso.
“Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night”. – Rainer Maria Rilke.
Pay more heed to colors, and apply it in your life. Be organic and love Mother Earth. Revel in the beauty of the colors of the cosmos. Feel the vibrations, and the harmony.
Aim Hrim Klim
