Color symbolism

Color symbolism in Madara varies by context. It's strongly influenced not just by cultural ideals, but by practical concerns, such as the availability of certain pigments. Some associations are stronger than others. For example, each of the three Disciples has a color associated with them, but the association of red as Ariel's color is much more prevalent than the other two. This is partly because red is also used for the flag of the Kingdom of Koth, and often in uniforms of high-ranking military officers.
Black - military associations. Stark black cloth is hard to maintain, because exposure to sunlight causes the color to fade into dirty gray.
Red - military associations, but also patriotic associations in Koth in particular. Red dyes are divided into cheap and costly, depending on the specific shade.
Gold - true cloth-of-gold is subject to sumptuary laws, quite aside from being very pricey.
White - whitewash is commonly used on both private and public buildings. White and silver is sometimes associated with archaic lunar rituals, but white alone is rarely worn in high society, and never by working people.
Blue - nominally associated with Alum. Blue pigments are common enough that they're used for common people's clothing, as well as painting buildings and vehicles, staining furniture and dishware, rugs, etc. etc. Dark blues are associated with winter, and light blues with summer.
Green - nominally associated with Atarah, and still occasionally used by some theater troupes. True, deep green shades are difficult to achieve. Symbolically associated with spring and winter. In some very old folk tales, linked to witchcraft or the uncanny.
Violet - rare and expensive in all forms.
Yellow - bright shades of yellow are easy to achieve but not long-lasting. Common in mosaics and other forms of public buildings' ornamentation. Tigan artisans are known for producing distinctive, amber-colored glassware. Sometimes associated with autumn and harvest.
Gray and brown - generally a product of other dyes or stains that have faded over time. No particular association, other than wear and age.
Orange - actual oranges have been cultivated in Madara for almost a thousand years, and are an inseparable part of the peninsula's ecosystem. Henna dye, which is reddish-orange, is commonly used by people of all genders and ages on their hair and beards. Among the moneyed classes, it's used in pattern staining to demonstrate that the wearer keeps their hands clean of manual labor.

Primary Related Location

Madara Peninsula