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Colors of the day in Thailand
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According to ancient customs in Thailand, there is an astrological rule (which has influence from Hindu mythology) that assigns a color to each day of the week based on the color of the God who protects the day or Navagraha.[1]: 22 For example, the God of Sunday is Surya who has the color red. These colors of the day are traditional Thai birthday colors. As King Bhumibol and his son were born on Mondays, Thailand is decorated with yellow on their birthdays. Thai people often wear clothes corresponding to the color of the day.
| Day | Thai name | Color of the day[2][3] | Celestial Body | God of the day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | วันอาทิตย์ | Red | Sun | Surya |
| Monday | วันจันทร์ | Yellow or Cream | Moon | Chandra |
| Tuesday | วันอังคาร | Pink | Mars | Mangala |
| Wednesday | วันพุธ | Green | Mercury | Budha |
| Thursday | วันพฤหัสบดี | Orange | Jupiter | Brihaspati |
| Friday | วันศุกร์ | Light Blue | Venus | Shukra |
| Saturday | วันเสาร์ | Purple | Saturn | Shani |
In other cultures
[edit]In cultures outside of Thailand, there is also the concept of colors of the seven days, but the colors are not fixed. There are also some cultures that represent the colors of the seven days in the spectral order of the rainbow, such as the lighting ceremony of Taipei 101.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Lee, Tien-Rein (December 2013). "The color we use in our daily life - communicating with color -" (PDF). ประชุมวิชาการ (Proceedings). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2016.
- ^ Segaller, Denis (2005). Thai Ways. Bangkok: Silkworm Books. ISBN 9781628400083.
- ^ "Travel in numbers and colours: Wear pink for luck on Tuesdays in". The Independent. 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
- ^ "Lighting Schedule". Taipei 101.
Colors of the day in Thailand
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Historical Origins
The tradition of colors associated with the days of the week in Thailand traces its roots to the Hindu astrological system of the Navagraha, or nine planetary deities, where each planet governs a day and is linked to a symbolic color derived from Vedic mythology. This framework, emphasizing the influence of celestial bodies on human affairs, was transmitted to Southeast Asia through Indian cultural exchanges, including trade, migration, and the dissemination of religious texts.[4] With the introduction of Buddhism to the region around the 3rd century BCE and the establishment of Theravada Buddhism as the state religion during the Sukhothai Kingdom (1238–1438 CE), these astrological elements were integrated into Thai Buddhist practices, adapting Hindu planetary symbolism to align with Pali scriptures such as the Jatakas and cosmological narratives. In this syncretic context, colors began to represent not only planetary deities but also protective qualities for daily life, reflecting Theravada emphases on merit-making and ethical conduct under celestial influences. The Sukhothai era marked a pivotal transmission point, as Indian-influenced monks and scholars brought refined astrological knowledge that blended with local animist beliefs.[4][5] During the subsequent Ayutthaya period (1351–1767 CE), the color-day associations evolved further and were formalized in royal and religious rituals, where astrologers used them to determine auspicious timings for ceremonies, coronations, and state events. Court figures like Phra Horathibodi, a prominent astrologer under King Prasat Thong (r. 1629–1656), exemplified this integration by applying planetary color symbolism in divination for royal prosperity and protection. This period saw the tradition embedded in elite Thai society, influencing attire and offerings in temple rites and palace functions, thereby establishing it as a cornerstone of cultural astrology.[4][6]Astrological Foundations
The astrological foundations of the colors of the day in Thailand derive from the ancient Indian tradition of assigning each weekday to one of the seven classical planets—Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn—which were transmitted to Thailand during the Hindu-Buddhist era and adapted to local Theravada Buddhist contexts. These planets, known as grahas in Vedic astrology, are believed to exert influence over human affairs, character traits, and fortunes, with colors selected to harmonize with their inherent energies and symbolic attributes. In Thai astrology, this system expands to include nine celestial bodies by incorporating Rahu and Ketu as shadow planets, reflecting a syncretic blend that modifies Indian concepts to emphasize karmic and ethical dimensions while preserving predictive elements.[7][8] Each planet carries profound symbolic meanings that underpin its associated color, drawing from elemental, emotional, and cosmic qualities. The Sun embodies greatness, heat, and vital energy, evoking red as a symbol of fire, power, and life force to channel its radiant influence. The Moon represents gentleness, beauty, and subtle peril, aligning with yellow to convey serenity, nurturing softness, and emotional depth. Mars signifies conflict, courage, and raw intensity, linked to pink tones in Thai tradition that capture its fiery essence of battle and determination, adapting the bolder red of Vedic astrology. Mercury denotes intellect, communication, and adaptability, often tied to green for growth, balance, and clarity of thought. Jupiter symbolizes wisdom, expansion, and benevolence, associated with orange to reflect abundance and protective warmth. Venus evokes love, harmony, and prosperity, corresponding to blue shades that suggest tranquility and aesthetic appeal. Saturn embodies discipline, endurance, and introspection, paired with purple or dark hues to represent stability and transformative depth. These associations prioritize conceptual harmony over rigid rules, allowing colors to serve as conduits for planetary blessings in daily life.[7] In the context of Thai birth astrology, the day of one's birth is believed to confer specific personality traits and fortunes influenced by the ruling celestial body and its color. Sunday, governed by the Sun and red, is associated with leadership, confidence, authority, wisdom, respectability, and popularity, generally considered lucky. Monday, under the Moon and yellow or cream, imparts gentleness, creativity, adaptability, seriousness, and a good memory, promoting calm and positive outcomes. Tuesday, ruled by Mars and pink, fosters bravery, energy, determination, activity, and seriousness, though it may involve assertiveness or conflict. Wednesday daytime, led by Mercury and green, endows intelligence, communication, wit, ambition, fun-loving nature, and sociability, viewed as favorable; Wednesday nighttime, influenced by Rahu and grey or black, brings unpredictability, obstacles, diligence, honesty, and potential inauspiciousness. Thursday, associated with Jupiter and orange, bestows wisdom, prosperity, morality, kindness, peacefulness, and honesty, regarded as the most auspicious day. Friday, governed by Venus and blue, features charm, artistry, relationships, fun-loving disposition, friendliness, and ambition, lucky for happiness and beauty. Saturday, under Saturn and purple, instills diligence, resilience, logic, calmness, and solitude, potentially involving hardships or delays. These birth-related traits inform personal practices, such as choosing amulets or birthstones, to mitigate negative influences and amplify positives.[9][10] The inclusion of Rahu, the eclipse demon or north lunar node, introduces a distinctive duality to Wednesday, distinguishing Thai adaptations from pure Vedic models. Mercury governs the daytime portion, but Rahu rules the nighttime, its shadowy nature symbolizing mystery, bravery, unforeseen change, and cosmic disruption—qualities mirrored in grey, a muted tone evoking the unknown, fear, and nocturnal ambiguity rather than overt vibrancy. As a non-corporeal entity representing eclipses and illusion, Rahu's influence underscores themes of misfortune and transition in Thai astrology, where rituals often invoke it to avert calamity. This split reflects broader Thai modifications, integrating Rahu as a protective yet unpredictable force within the seven-planet framework.[7][11] In Thai culture, these planetary symbolisms extend to sacred objects like yantras—mystical diagrams originating from Brahmanical traditions—and amulets, adapting Indian tantric practices into Buddhist-compatible tools for meditation, protection, and harnessing astrological energies in everyday rituals. This integration highlights Thailand's unique evolution of Indian astrology, prioritizing practical devotion over doctrinal purity.[12][8]Color Associations
Standard Colors by Day
In the traditional Thai system, each day of the week is associated with a specific color derived from Hindu astrological influences, where the seven classical planets govern the days and their symbolic hues. This standardized mapping is the most widely accepted version in contemporary Thai culture, as reflected in educational and cultural resources.[13][14][15] The following table outlines the standard color assignments, including the corresponding planetary ruler, a brief note on the symbolism tied to that planet's attributes in Thai tradition, and birth-related traits associated with individuals born on that day in Thai astrology:| Day | Color | Planet | Symbolism | Birth Traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Red | Sun | Vitality, power, and leadership, evoking the sun's radiant energy.[16] | Leadership, confidence, authority—generally lucky.[9][17] |
| Monday | Yellow | Moon | Calmness, prosperity, and emotional balance, reflecting the moon's soothing light.[16] | Gentleness, creativity, adaptability—calm and positive.[9][17] |
| Tuesday | Pink | Mars | Energy, courage, and blood, symbolizing Mars' fiery and combative nature in a softer hue.[16] | Bravery, energy, determination—can include assertiveness or conflict.[9][17] |
| Wednesday | Green | Mercury | Intellect, growth, and communication, akin to Mercury's role in wisdom and commerce.[16] | Intelligence, communication, wit—favorable (daytime; nighttime under Rahu may differ).[9][17][7] |
| Thursday | Orange | Jupiter | Wisdom, expansion, and abundance, representing Jupiter's benevolent and expansive influence.[16] | Wisdom, prosperity, morality—most auspicious.[9][17] |
| Friday | Blue | Venus | Beauty, harmony, and love, mirroring Venus' association with aesthetics and relationships.[16] | Charm, artistry, relationships—lucky for happiness and beauty.[9][17] |
| Saturday | Purple | Saturn | Discipline, protection, and introspection, embodying Saturn's stern yet safeguarding qualities.[16] | Diligence, resilience—may involve hardships or delays.[9][17] |