Significance of the nine colors of Navratri 2023

Navratri festivities are filled with vibrant colors that are visible in the decorations, dresses and designs all around you. Have you ever wondered about the significance of these Navratri colors? Yes, there is a pattern and meaning behind each color that dazzles the eye.

Nine colors of Navratri 2023

Every year, while the colors remain the same, the order varies depending on the day Navratri falls. Here is a list of the Navratri colors 2023 in a snapshot:

  • First Day (15th Octoberr) - Pratipada - White
  • Second Day (16th October) - Dwitiya - Red
  • Third-Day (17th October) - Tritiya - Royal Blue
  • Fourth Day (18th October) - Chaturthi - Yellow
  • Fifth Day (19th October) - Panchami - Green
  • Sixth Day (20th October) - Shashti - Orange
  • Seventh Day (21st October) - Saptami - Green/ Blue/ Purple
  • Eighth Day (22nd October) - Ashtami - Red/ Maroon
  • Ninth Day (23rd October) - Navami - White/ Gold

 

Significance of Navratri colors

Each of the nine days of Navratri are dedicated to the nine avatars of Goddess Durga - the Goddess of Shakti or power. Each of the nine colors of Navratri symbolizes the quality of the Devi.

  1. White: The first day of Navratri celebrates the first manifestation of Devi – Shailaputri – daughter of the mountain. She is the original form of Mother Divine and symbolizes purity. The white color represents peace, purity, and innocence.
  2. Red: The second day of Navratri celebrates Goddess Durga as Brahmacharini – the goddess seeking her Lord, Shiva. In this form, Goddess Parvati undertakes severe penance and eventually wins over Shiva who accepts her as his consort. The red color represents action, passion, and perseverance.
  3. Royal Blue: The third manifestation of Devi is Chandraghanta. At the time of the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati, Shiva appears in a fierce form. Mother Parvati also assumes an equally royal form known as Chandraghanta in which she wears a half-moon on her forehead. In this form, Mother Parvati requests Lord Shiva to appear in a pleasant form for the wedding. Shiva then takes a charming form and the wedding happens. Royal blue represents power and authority
  4. Yellow: The fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga is Kushmanda who represents cosmic energy. Kushumanda means a pumpkin. Pumpkin is one of the most prana-rich vegetables as it absorbs and radiates energy. Yellow color represents energy, cheerfulness, and luminosity which manifest with increased prana.
  5. Green: The fifth incarnation of Devi is Skandamata – mother of Skanda or Kartikeya, the War God. The Devi holding her baby in her lap is a symbol of the purity of a mother’s love which is ever-green and never changes.
  6. Orange/ Yellow: The sixth manifestation of Devi is Goddess Katyayani. She is a fierce form of Goddess Durga who annihilated Mahishasura, representing sloth and laziness. The color orange symbolizes action, passion, and creativity, which can help overcome inertia or sloth.
  7. Green/ Blue/ Purple/strong>: The seventh manifestation of Devi is Kaalratri. She is a destructive form of the Goddess also called Kali. In this form of Kalaratri, Devi represents the devastating aspect of nature. But seen from another perspective, Ratri is the time that brings comfort and rest. It is in the darkness of night that the universe is visible in all its magnitude. The green/ blue /purple colors symbolize rest, calmness, and wisdom.
  8. Red/ Maroon: The eighth manifestation of Devi is Mahagauri. She represents fulfillment. The red/ maroon is the color of sacrifice which brings true fulfillment.
  9. White/ Gold: The color white/ gold symbolizes purity, perfection and prosperity. The ninth manifestation of Devi is Siddhidatri. She symbolizes Siddhi or perfection.

Aren’t the various names and forms of the Devi intriguing and fascinating? So, when you attend your celebrations this year keep these color codes in mind and sport a different outfit every day with the accompanying accessories. With knowledge of the significance of the Navratri colors, you can don the appropriate expression with the look.

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