Liturgical Color Guide: Understanding the Colors & Seasons | Gaspard (2024)

Liturgy is a form of public religious worship within the different denominations of Christianity. During this public worship, colors are worn to signify different feelings and times of year.

How to choose the right colors?

Choosing the right colors should be based on the church’s liturgical calendar, and the colors they prefer to be worn during that specific holiday or time of year. Consult with your church to determine the best color for your needs. At Gaspard, we have vestments and paraments in different colors and patterns, and can even create custom pieces for you. To create a custom piece:

What are the liturgical seasons?

There are many liturgical seasons that different denominations celebrate. During each season, or time of year, specific colors are worn, churches are decorated, and portions of the scripture are read to celebrate. The 8 most common seasons in western Christianity are: Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, Time of the Church or Ordinary Time, Advent, and Christmas.

Liturgical colors, meanings, and seasons

What are liturgical colors?

Liturgical colors within Christian liturgy signify different seasons and times of year. Each season has its own mood, meaning and type of prayer. Each color has its own meaning and feeling, and can be seen worn or hung throughout the church during specific times of year. The primary colors in the liturgical calendar are red, white, gold, violet, green, and black.

What do the colors signify?

Each color in the Liturgical Calendar signifies a different mood and season.

Green - “Ordinary Time”

Green is the color of “Ordinary Time.” Ordinary Time is any time of year between Easter and Advent and between Christmas and Lent. Green symbolizes life, hope, and anticipation.

Red - God’s Love, blood, fire, and celebrations of Martyrs

Red is typically worn during Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Pentecost. This color signifies God’s Love, blood, fire, and celebrations of Martyrs.

White/Gold - Purity, Light, Glory, and Joy

White and/or gold are worn during Christmas and Easter. These colors signify the birth and resurrection of Christ. White symbolizes purity, light, glory, and joy. White is also a color worn by clergymen that perform funeral ceremonies.

Violet/Purple - Penance, Sacrifice, and Preparation

Purple is the color worn during Advent and Lent, but can also be worn for funeral masses. It symbolizes penance, sacrifice, and preparation.

Black - Death and Mourning

Black is the standard color for the clergy’s everyday clothing, but is also sometimes used at funeral masses or the anniversary of the death of loved ones. It symbolizes death and mourning.