Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? Or, as you gaze at the ocean, have you asked yourself why God created it with such a hue? Since the beginning of time, blue has been a popular color choice. Because it is not found in nature, its scarcity is immediately apparent.
Just like red and purple, blue often appears in the Bible. Being one of the primary colors, blue also has the shortest wavelength in the visible light spectrum.
Similar to how numbers may be used to learn about the Almighty God, color symbolism can help us learn about Jesus and His activities. In Hebrew hermeneutics, a “remez” is a tool for interpreting texts. A remez is an allusion to anything under the surface or concealed behind the words. Colors and numbers are both remezes.
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What Is The Meaning Of Blue In The Bible?
There are a total of 51 occurrences of blue in the Bible. Tekhelet[1], a Hebrew term for the animal from whence the dye is extracted, is most often used to describe this shade.
A number of biblical commentaries state that blue dye originated from the fluid of a Mediterranean seashell fish. Pomegranate peels might have been used as an alternative source. Dyeing with it required dipping the fabric into vats of color and then hanging the garments to dry, a procedure that took some time.
This procedure was carried out several times until the correct shade was achieved. As a final stage, the fabric was submerged in a colorfast solution.
Many people have different opinions about what shade of blue or purple the tekhelet actually is. The members of the Biblical Archaeology Society tend to agree that blue best represents the meaning of tekhelet.
However, there is strong evidence that the biblical tekhelet was actually the color of the sky. According to assyriologist Wayne Horowitz, the Sumerian word uqnu (lapis lazuli) was also used to describe various colors of blue.
Sky and blue wool both got the name uqnatu. As with uqnatu, the cuneiform signs for the Hebrew word takiltu (tekhelet) were incorporated into Akkadian when the term was borrowed from the Hebrew language.
It follows that the ancient Mesopotamians equated the color of tekhelet with that of the sky and lapis lazuli. So, what shade was tekhelet in the Scripture? The Ptil Tekhelet Foundation in Jerusalem speculates that the murex dye was responsible for the brilliant blue color.
This organization has been making thousands of blue murex-dyed tzitzit for over twenty-five years. Jewish prayer shawls traditionally have blue tzitzit to symbolize the ocean, the sky, and the throne of God.
What Is The Significance Of The Color Blue?
The color blue has a special significance for depictions of the Virgin Mary in European Renaissance art, where it was often utilized to draw the viewer’s attention. A semi-precious blue stone called “lapis lazuli” was used by medieval painters to create ultramarine (or “true blue”), the most costly color.
According to the Madone des Harpies, ultramarine had to be used on the Virgin Mary’s garments. An original ultramarine once cost more than gold.
Marian Blue is the name given to the blue dye that became synonymous with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Azurite, a less costly mineral, was employed to color Madonna’s clothing in the Byzantine Empire, providing a striking contrast to the gold leaf backdrop.
The painters employed several tones of blue to create depth and dimension. The heavens in Byzantine church mosaics were shown in a pale blue, while Mary and Jesus’ clothes were rendered in a deeper, almost purple-blue.
Blue’s symbolism has been significant in the visual arts; it has also played a crucial role in the theological and spiritual realms. In religious art, the color blue is often associated with divinity, leading some to believe it could have been Jesus’ favorite color.
What Is The Symbolism Of The Color Blue In The Bible?
In Christianity, the biblical meaning of blue is the heavenly realm. Blue is associated with the heavens and serves as a constant reminder of their presence. By reading about what happened when Moses, his three sons—Nadab, Aaron, and Abihu—and the seventy elders of Israel walked up to worship God on Mount Sinai, we get a glimpse of heaven.
Exodus 24:10 says, “And they saw the God of Israel, and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clarity.” Sapphires’ stunningly blue reflections make us think of the heaven beyond the visible blue heaven, the heaven of heavens.
This symbolism is evident in Nehemiah 9:6: “Thou, even thou, art the LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are therein, the seas and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all, and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”
What Are The Other Meanings Of The Color Blue?
Wealth
The upper class, wealth, and regalia were all symbolized by a deeper, more regal blue. Esther describes a garden with white and blue linen hangings, strings of white linen and purple stuff, and silver rings on marble pillars.
The hems of the priestly class’ garments were neatly tied with blue ribbons and tassels. The ‘breastplates of judgment’ worn by High Priests were set with blue sapphires. That’s why it also possesses the spiritual meaning of priesthood and religion. It stood for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we continue to worship God.
Physical Punishment
Punishment by physical means (such as bruises of varying shades of blue) is also said to help purge the body of evil. It might be a metaphor for sin in the inner sense. The blueness of a wound and the stripes on the belly’s inward parts are said to purge evil (Proverbs 20:30, KJV).
Masculinity
Blue is associated with masculinity in modern Western thought. However, in the past, this color was associated with femininity and meant to evoke feelings of innocence and tenderness. The bright red indicated masculinity; it was also the color of Jesus’ garments. Because of the passage of time, the gender roles of the colors have changed. In modern culture, blue represents men, whereas the color red or pink represents women.
God’s Omnipresence
The vastness and inaccessibility of the oceans, sky, and Heavens all have one thing in common: the color blue. The power of blue extends into the void and the far future. The color blue alludes to the infinite and represents particles from beyond our solar system. The blue of the sky is a representation of God’s omnipresence.
God’s Healing Power
The deeper meaning of blue is the restorative power of God. According to the New Testament, Jesus cured a lady who was bleeding by having her touch the hem of His garment, which had a blue fringe. God commanded the Jews to decorate their clothing with blue tassels, as stated in the Mosaic Law.
The secondary colors of the rainbow, which represent God’s oath to humanity, are formed when the basic colors of the rainbow are mixed together. Blue, the third primary color, represents God’s healing power.
God’s Word
Blue also signifies God’s Word in the Bible. Together with red and yellow, blue is one of the primary colors. In this way, the Holy Trinity is represented. Among the Holy Trinity, blue stands for Divine Understanding. Peace and spiritual equilibrium are achieved when it is combined with red and yellow.
Courage And Strength
According to the Bible, Michael, the archangel who rules over all the holy angels, commands the blue angel light. He has tremendous strength and displays tremendous bravery. Michael’s blue angel light ray represents fortitude, safety, and faith in the ultimate triumph of good over evil. It safeguards the populace and keeps them from falling into immorality.
Purity
Blue was significant in the Holy Bible because of its connection to the divine. It’s hardly surprising that it was also an important emblem in Christian church history. How often do you see the virgin Mary dressed in blue in nativity scenes and art?
That’s because, in 431 A.D., the Catholic Church began to assign colors to various saints. Specifically, the blue was bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a result, blue has traditionally represented innocence and purity.
What Are Other Shades Of The Color Blue?
Sapphire
This blue gem is mentioned nine times in the Bible. The sapphire stone has a beautiful sky-blue color that calls to mind both the sky and the heavens.
Indigo
Blue’s energy is amplified and channeled within by indigo, where it may be used to connect with the divine within man. Indigo connects the measurable with the unfathomable. It’s the doorway to mystical knowledge. Indigo is even quicker than blue energy, reaching cosmic velocities. Indigo is the color of enlightenment and psychic power.
Purple
Sometimes “purple” or “violet” is used to translate the Hebrew word for “blue.” Despite being inferior to royal purple, blue dyes continue to command a high price. Since purple was so uncommon in ancient times, it was viewed as a symbol of great status.
According to the Bible, this was the most costly dye available. Purple was the color of royalty in Ancient Rome and bishops in the Christian Church. Somebody from a royal family is indicated by the usage of phrases, including the color purple.
The Byzantine emperor Constantine VII, for instance, was granted the epithet “born of the purple chamber,” which referred to his birthplace. Advent’s official color is purple, while blue is also commonly used.
Violet, the hue of royalty, is created when blue and crimson are mixed together. Jesus’ blood, His human existence, and His activity on Earth are all symbolized by the color red (or scarlet, which also means “earthly”). The Bible explains that the color blue represents Jesus’ heavenly home. A departure from Earth and a return to God are both symbolized by the color purple, which represents man’s departure after earning forgiveness via Jesus’ blood.
In spiritual terms, violet is the hue of enlightenment and power. Because of its position at the rainbow’s extremity, far, far from red, it represents the purest kind of illumination. As a result of being a blend of red and blue, violet helps to ground the stimulating energy of red.
According to the Bible, violet is created when blood red (representing Jesus’ sacrifice) combines with blue (representing the heavens or Mary’s holiness). It represents wholeness and a heightened sense of spirituality. The bluish-purple color inspires hope and creativity.
Turquoise
The New Jerusalem and the Holy River of God are both symbolized by the color turquoise. Also, spiritually speaking, it represents the cleansing and sanctifying power of God.
Green
The color green is produced by combining yellow (trials) and blue (the Word of God). This is why green represents eternal life in the Bible. There will be no wilting of the leaf (Psalm 1:3).
4 Bible Verses About The Color Blue
The Scriptures contain spiritual truths that we can hold on to in our Godly lives. Reflect on these four verses about blue:
“The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: So do stripes the inward parts of the belly.”
— Proverbs 20:30
“The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald.”
— Revelation 21:19
“This blue gem was one of several that God personally placed as ornamentation on Lucifer when he created him.”
— Ezekiel 28:13
“When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold, and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.”
— Esther 8:15
Conclusion
To this day, God still uses symbols to convey his messages. God’s word assigns symbolic meaning to colors as it does to numerical values. Symbolically, they depict the transforming power of Jesus Christ in our lives.
Colors are used symbolically in both the Old Testament and the New Testament to convey biblical meaning. Colors in the Bible have meanings that can shed light on God and His redemptive purposes. A greater appreciation for the symbolic meanings of colors leads to spiritual insight and a deeper understanding of the scriptures.
Blue’s crucial importance in shaping Christian civilization is reaffirmed by its prevalence in religious iconography. The color blue is more than just a color; it permeates Christian rituals, rites, and culture.