Colours

A wide range of colours are mentioned in Scripture, some being used symbolically.

Colours mentioned in Scripture

White

His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.

Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous— as white as snow.

Blue

Esther 1:6; Ezekiel 27:24 See also Exodus 26:1, Exodus 39:22

Hangings of white and blue linen were fastened with cords of fine white and purple material to silver rings on the marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.

In your marketplace they traded with you fine garments of blue, embroidered work, and multicolored rugs with cords tightly twisted and knotted.

Yellow

Revelation 9:17 See also Leviticus 13:30

Now the horses and riders in my vision looked like this: The riders had breastplates the colors of fire, sapphire, and sulfur. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths proceeded fire, smoke, and sulfur.

Green

Mark 6:39 An indication as to the season; the grass is green in Galilee in spring. Genesis 1:30; Psalm 23:2; Jeremiah 17:8; Revelation 8:7

Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit in groups on the green grass.

Red

2 Kings 3:22; Matthew 16:2 See also Genesis 25:30; Exodus 36:19; Revelation 12:3

When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way.

But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’

Purple

Mark 15:17 Numbers 4:13; Proverbs 31:22; Daniel 5:7; Acts 16:14

They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it on His head.

Scarlet

Isaiah 1:18 See also Genesis 38:28; Exodus 35:23 Purple, scarlet, crimson and red are closely related and sometimes interchangeable in Scripture; Numbers 4:8; Song of Solomon 4:3; Matthew 27:28; Revelation 17:4

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Crimson

Isaiah 63:1 See also 2 Chronicles 2:7

Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”

Black

Song of Solomon 5:11 See also Revelation 6:12

His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven.

The whole spectrum

Ezekiel 1:28 See also Revelation 4:3, Revelation 10:1

The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Colours used symbolically

Revelation 6:2 White here symbolises conquest; Revelation 17:3 See also Revelation 6:4 bloodshed and war; Revelation 6:8 deathRevelation 7:9, Revelation 19:14, Revelation 19:11 Revelation 20:11 holiness

So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.

And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.