The Spiritual Language of Colour: A Case Study of Colour Symbolism in Hindu Community in South Africa

Abstract

This study investigates the symbolism of colour in Hinduism. With a specific focus on the Hindu community in eThekwini, South Africa, the case study employed a qualitative research method to investigate the roles and cultural associations of colour in Hindu religion, and how it has been adopted and integrated into the cultural practices. Two samples of population were selected using a purposive sampling technique: namely, 10 religious leaders from 10 eThekwini Temples and 10 senior citizens (ages 55 and above) in the Hindu community who visit Temples and practise Hinduism on a regular basis. The participants were interviewed using open-ended questions and the collected data was analysed using thematic analysis. Seven themes emerged from the data analysed which include 1) the main colours in Hindu religion; 2) avoided colours; 3) cultural norms of colour in the Hindu community; 4) personal attitude toward colours; 5) benefits of colour therapy; 6) use of chakras; and 7) the healing properties of colours. The findings additionally revealed that colour symbolism is still widely used among Hindu communities in South Africa. Hence, this study creates awareness and promote the application of the symbolism in professional practices, especially in design field.

Keywords

• colour symbolism
• colour therapy
• colour wheel
• semiotic theory
• hinduism