You’ve seen it. That specific, almost jarring shade of lilac that hits every grocery store aisle the second Valentine’s Day candy goes on clearance. It’s followed by a wave of mint green, pale yellow, and that weirdly bright fake grass. But have you ever stopped to wonder why colors of easter are so predictably pastels? Or why, if you walk into a liturgical church on Good Friday, the whole place looks like a funeral home draped in black or deep scarlet?
It’s not just a marketing gimmick by Big Candy.
Honestly, the palette we associate with the holiday is a messy, beautiful collision of ancient religious mandates and the simple reality of Northern Hemisphere biology. We’re talking about a holiday that piggybacks on Ostara and Passover while trying to tell a story of execution and rebirth. That’s a lot of emotional heavy lifting for a few shades of dye.
The Royal Purple and the Bruise of Lent
Let’s start with the heavy hitter: Purple.
If you grew up in a traditional church, purple is the color of the weeks leading up to the big day. It’s the color of Lent. Historically, purple was the most expensive dye on the planet, harvested from the mucus of sea snails. Because it was so pricey, it became the color of emperors and kings.
The irony here is deliberate.
Biblical accounts in the Gospels of Mark and John mention that the Roman soldiers mocked Jesus by draping a purple robe over him, calling him the "King of the Jews" before the crucifixion. It was meant to be a joke—a high-status color on a man they were about to kill. Today, the church uses it to represent both that mockery and the "royalty" of the deity they’re worshiping. It’s a somber, reflective color. It’s the color of a bruise.
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But then, everything shifts.
Why White and Gold Take Over on Sunday
When Easter Sunday finally hits, the purple vanishes. It’s replaced by white and gold. This isn't just about looking "clean." In the context of colors of easter, white represents the absolute absence of sin and the presence of light. According to the Manual of Episcopal Etiquette and various Catholic liturgical guides, white is the color of joy and purity.
It’s the "victory" color.
Gold is often used alongside white to signify something precious. We aren't just talking about shiny foil on a chocolate bunny here. We’re talking about the "Golden Legend" (Legenda Aurea) vibes—the idea that the resurrection is the most valuable event in the Christian calendar. Gold doesn't tarnish. It lasts.
The Pink Anomaly (Gaudete and Laetare)
Ever notice that one random Sunday where the priest wears pink? Or maybe you call it "rose."
It happens twice a year, once in Advent and once in Lent (Laetare Sunday). It’s basically a "hang in there" sign. It’s a brief break from the dark purple of penance, a literal lightening of the mood as we get closer to the feast. It’s a transition color. It’s the dawn.
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The Science of Spring Pastels
Away from the pews, the colors of easter move into the realm of nature and, frankly, commercialism. Why are we so obsessed with robin’s egg blue and pale yellow?
- The Equinox Factor. Easter is a moveable feast. It’s tied to the paschal full moon. This means it always lands right when the earth is waking up.
- The Pigment of New Life. Pale yellow represents the sun returning and, more literally, the yolk of an egg. Eggs have been a symbol of the "sealed tomb" since at least the early Mesopotamian Christians, who dyed them red to represent the blood of Christ.
- The Green Growth. Green is the most obvious one. It’s the grass coming back. It’s the end of the brown, dead winter. In some traditions, green is also the color of "Ordinary Time," but for Easter, it’s all about the rebirth of the garden.
Basically, our brains are hardwired to see these desaturated colors as "new." A bright, neon red feels aggressive and old; a soft pink feels like a bud that’s just about to open.
Red: The Color Nobody Expects
In Eastern Orthodox traditions, you won’t find nearly as many pastels. You’ll find red. Lots of it.
Specifically, hard-boiled eggs dyed a deep, blood red.
There’s a famous legend involving Mary Magdalene. The story goes that she went to the Emperor of Rome to tell him about the resurrection. He laughed and said a man could no more rise from the dead than the egg in her hand could turn red. According to the tale, the egg immediately turned scarlet. Whether you believe the legend or not, it’s why red remains one of the most vital colors of easter for millions of people in Greece, Russia, and the Balkans. It’s the color of sacrifice. You can't have the joy of the white lily without the red of the Friday before.
How to Use This Knowledge Today
If you’re decorating or just trying to understand the visual language around you, don't feel like you have to stick to the "Target Aisle" palette.
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Mix the moods. If you want a more "authentic" feel to your Easter table, mix the deep purples with the bright whites. It tells a more complete story than just mint green and plastic yellow. Use real linens.
Look at the flowers. The Easter Lily is white for a reason—it’s the "trumpeter" of spring. But the tulips and hyacinths provide those purples and pinks naturally. They are the original sources of these traditions.
Think about the light. The shift from dark colors to light colors is meant to mimic the transition from night to day. If you’re hosting, start with a dimmer, more "purple" vibe for a Friday or Saturday gathering and blow the doors open with light and gold on Sunday.
Check the labels.
When buying dyes for eggs, look for the "Natural" kits that use beets (red), turmeric (yellow), and red cabbage (which surprisingly makes blue). This gets you closer to how these colors were actually achieved for the last two thousand years.
Understanding the colors of easter isn't just about aesthetics. It’s about a visual code that has survived through centuries of tradition, art, and even the rise of modern retail. It’s a way of signaling hope, mourning, and eventual celebration without saying a single word.
Next time you see those pastel M&Ms, remember: you’re looking at a history that spans from the palaces of Roman emperors to the muddy gardens of a changing season.
Actionable Steps for Your Easter Palette
- Audit your decorations: Move away from purely synthetic neons. Incorporate deep violets and rich creams to add depth and historical context to your home.
- Dye eggs naturally: Use red onion skins for a rich maroon or spinach for a muted, earthy green. This connects the holiday back to its biological roots.
- Layer your table: Start with a white base (purity/joy) and accent with gold (value/victory) and touches of purple (the history of the season).
- Educate the kids: Instead of just "pink is pretty," tell the story of the "hang in there" rose color or the red egg legend. It makes the tradition stick.
By focusing on the "why" behind the hues, the season feels less like a commercial obligation and more like a bridge between the natural world and ancient history.