Coloured Crosses

When a colour is applied to a cross, the form is usually a basic Latin or Greek cross. The form bears no particular religious significance - simply easy to draw, easy to recognise, and doesn't detract the eye from the additional message given by the colour. When we see a red cross for example, we see either the colour red, or we see a sign of the humanitarian organisation. What we don't see, is a cross.

Coloured crosses are used for many different purposes and organisations. The Orange Cross for example, is used by several commercial ambulances and healthcare providers, and also political groups. Often these are seen as Lapel Pins. We haven't attempted to explain all the uses for each cross; the description given has been selected quite arbitrarily.

The Christian Church has developed a colour-code which, whilst not universal, can be used in priestly vestments and other decorations to set the theme of the liturgical season or the Feast being celebrated. (The following describes western conventions; Orthodox Churches have a different coding system.)

Purple¹ has traditionally been reserved for royalty and majesty (due to the expense of the dye) and as such, the colour is used for Advent and Lent.
Pink or Rose is an alternative (less sombre) colour to purple.
Red is another alternative to purple for the last week of Lent and for Pentecost Sunday. Red is also the colour of martyrdom.
White² for Christmas, Easter, baptisms, weddings and funerals. The New Testament many times uses white when describing angels and the Resurrection.
Ivory or Gold are alternatives to white.
Blue is invariably worn by the Virgin Mary. This sky colour is appropriate for the Queen of Heaven.
Green is for general occasions. It is the colour of nature and therefore the colour of life - the hope of life eternal.