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The Symbolism of Colour
What is it in a flower which makes it take and reflect a certain colour? The scientists say that it is the composition of its atoms but I say that it is the nature of its aspiration.
The Mother
When we study the messages given by the Mother to flowers we find that certain colours correspond to certain planes of consciousness, certain levels of the being. This becomes still clearer when we read the explanation Sri Aurobindo gives to colours seen in visions. Colour alone does not always determine the message of a flower. The shape and size of the flower, its intensity of fragrance can often be as important. Even the time and manner of blossoming is important. In certain plants it may be the inflorescence that is more striking and significant than the individual flower. Often enough, though not always, it is the use of the plant or its nature that is expressed in the flower’s message. For instance, the meaning may coincide with its use in religious ceremonies; it may be determined by the quality of the leaves or fruits or any important characteristic feature and trait of the plant. The following Plates have been designed to indicate the colours of some of the planes of our being and help the reader, as far as possible, to begin to feel these subtle vibrations.
Plate I shows the colours of the Supermind, the mind and the psychic region. For comparison, the colours of Krishna and that of the emotive centre have been included.
Plate II continues with the other parts of the vital and the physical centre which represents the physical body.
In Plate I comes first "Krishna’s Ananda" (Cape plumbago – Plumbago capensis, l.l). Light blue is Krishna’s colour and also that of Sri Aurobindo.
Orange and golden-yellow are the colours of the Supermind and of the
Supramental qualities. For example, "Supramentalised Psychological Perfection" (Champaka, Michelia champaca, 1,2).
Yellow is the colour of mental aspiration-—like the flower "Mind" (Yellow Oleander, Thevetia peruviana I, 3). It is usually greenish yellow, since yellow, shading orange, can also indicate light. The significance of higher mind or intuitive mind may be given to cream-yellow flowers such as "Voice of the Higher Mind" (Anemopaegma paraense, I, 4). Shades of blue may also indicate the mind, especially with Krishna’s influence; see "Krishna’s Light in the Mind" (Clock-vine, Thunbergia grandiflora) I, 5. However, there are exceptions—"Charity" (Commelina) for example, is a large delicate blue flower.
Light pink is the colour of the psychic region. The Plate shows "Psychic Prayer" (Zephyranthes, I, 6). It is sometimes difficult to distinguish the colour of the psychic from that of the emotive centre. The emotive centre is often expressed by light mauve or lilac-pink. For example, "Offering of the Emotions" (Hollyhock, Alcea, I, 7).
In Plate II the darker colours denoting the vital, the physical or matter are shown.
The vital being is usually divided into three layers.
First, the higher vital coloured lavender, deep mauve or deep carmine, as "Power in the Higher Vital" (Shrub Althaea, Hibiscus syriacus, II, 1).
Second, the vital proper which is blue as in "Spiritual Awakening of the Vital" (Coleus, II, 2), or dark red as in "Vital Centre" (Canna, II, 3).
Third, the lower material vital which is denoted by dark blue, violet blue or dark purple as in "Opening of the Material Vital to the Light" (Thunbergia erecta, II, 4).
Red is the colour of the physical, usually a clear bright red—for example, "Aspiration in the Physical for the Divine Love" (Fountain plant, Russelia equisetiformis), II, 5).
Lastly, the colour of matter or the subconscient may be a very dark red, as in "First Response of the Subconscient to the Supramental Action" (Sausage tree, Kigelia pinnata).
The Editor
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