Liturgical Color Guide: Understanding the Liturgical Seasons and Colors
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
| Liturgical Season | Time of Year | Color | Meaning |
| Epiphany (sometimes referred to as Time of the Church, or Ordinary Times) | January | Green | Life, hope, anticipation |
| Lent | February-March | Purple or Roman Purple * On the 4th Sunday of Lent they wear Rose | Penance, sacrifice, preparation |
| Holy Week: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday | The week immediately preceding Easter | Red or Roman Purple | Penance, sacrifice, preparation |
| Easter | March or April | White and/or Gold | Purity, light, glory, joy |
| Pentecost | Late May/Early June | Red | God’s love, blood, fire, celebrations of Martyrs |
| Time of the Church or Ordinary Times | After pentecost ends to when Advent starts | Green | Life, hope, anticipation |
| Advent | Early December | Blue and Purple *On the 3rd Sunday of Advent they wear Rose | Penance, sacrifice, preparation |
| Christmas | December | White and/or Gold | Purity, light, glory, joy |
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.
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Example of green vestment for “Ordinary Time” gatherings |
Example of green parament for “Ordinary Time” gatherings |
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.
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Example of red vestment for gatherings during Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and the Pentecost |
Example of red parament for gatherings during Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and the Pentecost |
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.
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Example of a white vestment worn on Christmas and Easter |
Example of a white parament used in the church on Christmas and Easter |
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.
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Example of a purple vestment worn during Advent and Lent |
Example of a purple parament displayed in the church during Advent and Lent |
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.
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Example of a black chasuble worn during funeral masses |
Example of a black parament displayed in the church during funeral masses |
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