Colors of Yoga
8th Jul 2021 | Author - Viraj Malik
Life is made of different colors and as per science each matter when reflecting external energy from light is perceived as color and each color has a particular significance, Yogis knew the significance of colors even before science provided characteristics of different colors.
By scientifically establishing our visible spectrum (the colors we see in a rainbow), Newton laid the path for others to experiment with color scientifically. His work led to breakthroughs in optics, physics, chemistry, perception, and the study of color in nature.
Aristotle developed the first known theory of color believing it was sent by God from heaven through celestial rays of light. He suggested that all colors came from white and black (lightness and darkness) and related them to the four elements – water, air, earth, and fire. Aristotle’s beliefs on color were widely held for over 2000 years until being replaced by those of Newton.
Opticks, one of the great works in the history of science, documents Newton’s discoveries from his experiments passing light through a prism. He identified the ROYGBIV colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) that make up the visible spectrum.
The visible spectrum is the narrow portion within the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen by the human eye. Other forms of electromagnetic radiation, waves of energy, that we cannot see include radio, gamma, and microwaves. The cells in our eyes called cones are sensitive to the wavelengths found in the visible spectrum. They allow us to see all the colors of the rainbow.
There has been further refinement to Newton’s views on color, arguing that color was not simply a scientific measurement, but a subjective experience perceived differently by each viewer.
Vedantic and Yogic are quite aligned to the scientific approach however the only difference being the method to conclude. Yogis use intuitive power to know while science focuses on experiments and observation to conclude.
In Yogic tradition, there is a big emphasis on color and like science and color black is considered to absorb the energy from the environment so if someone wears black clothes, he is more likely to absorb energies from surrounding and one would need to be careful of the people you are with if you wear black as the mood and emotions will have an impact.
Color white is reflective and provides maximum immunity to absorbing energy from the environment and that's the reason a beginner on the yogic and spiritual path wears white to remain immune to the surrounding energies.
Yoga also believes in the energy center within our body which is called Chakra and out of 114 such chakras there are 7 chakras which are major ones and each one is signified with color and energy associated with the center.
Root chakra (Muladhara ): Red
Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana): Orange
Solar plexus chakra (Manipura) Yellow
Heart Chakra (Anahata) Colour: Green
Throat chakra (Vishuddha) Colour: Blue
Third-eye chakra (Ajna) Indigo/purple
Crown chakra (Sahasara). Color: Purple/violet
As we can see this roughly corresponds to the Vibgyor energy spectrum defined as per science and there is a true union of Yoga and Science in terms of understanding and relevance of energy.
At Utsav, we understand the significance of colors and we chose the color purple to represent us as it aspires all practitioners to the highest level of awareness as the color purple spreads across the Ajna(Third eye) and Sahasrara (Crown) Chakra.
