Lesson 11: Colors in Dreams and Visions

Ezekiel 1:28

As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

Revelations 4:3

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

When it comes to colors, most dreams symbols dictionaries have it wrong because the authors do not understand the divine principles behind the meanings of colors. Hennie van Niekerk and his prophetic team’s view on the meanings of colors are the most profound and most sensible of all explanations that I have heard. His views are also supported by Scripture.

This is how Hennie explains it in his book, “Dreams & Visions”:

Colors are a form of a parable. The color spectrum is neither demonic nor of the New Age, as many people assume. There are several references in the Bible to the color spectrum (rainbow), which clearly shows that this is a revelation of the glory of God…

It is true that the rainbow is used by the New Age movement as one of their symbols. It is, however, noteworthy that the rainbow of the New Age movement normally consists of only five or six colors and not seven colors…

God uses the colors of the rainbow to reveal the works of the flesh, the flow of the Holy Spirit and also the works of the enemy.

The color spectrum has been created in a specific order. It starts with red and ends with purple; red having the longest wavelength and purple the shortest. It is interesting to note that the colors red, orange and yellow have been found to attract more attention than the colors blue, scarlet or purple. This fact is often exploited by the advertising industry.

In the tabernacle of Moses, the colors blue, scarlet and purple were used. Wherever red was used in the tabernacle it represented the blood that needed to be shed for the remission of sins.

The color green lies in the middle of the color spectrum. On the one side are the three colors purple, scarlet and blue, symbolizing the manifestations of the Holy Spirit as discussed above. On the other side the three colors yellow, orange and red, symbolizing the workings of the flesh.

In the same way as the spirit of man is associated with the colors purple, blue and Indigo, and the body with the colors yellow, orange and red, so the soul is associated with the color green. The color green therefore represents the soul of a human being, which consists of the mind (intellect), emotions and the will.

Hennie van Niekerk

It is important to notice that colors represent the attitude or work of either the Holy Spirit or man’s spirit or man’s flesh (the body or soul). Colors do not represent any other thing except what is mentioned here. If we always follow these guidelines we will not be in error when interpreting colors in dreams and visions. Please take note that colors that are not represented in the color spectrum are created through the mixing of the colors of the color spectrum in the rainbow. The meanings of those colors will be influenced by the meanings of the base colors. For instance, when blue, red and orange are mixed the color brown is created. Brown is also associated with the workings of the flesh just like red and orange.

Manifestations (Spiritually in terms of the colors in dreams and visions)

Purple, Scarlet, blue, indigo or white: These colors represent God. A broad spectrum of these colors is often noticed in dreams and visions and it speaks of the workings of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the spirit man.

Yellow, orange, red, pink, brown and black: These colors represent man and evil. A broad spectrum of these colors is often noticed in dreams and visions and it represents the workings of the fleshly man and of evil spirits.

Positive and negative colors:

Colors with a positive meaning that are usually observed in dreams and visions are the following: Silver, gold, white, purple, green, amethyst, and blue.

Colors with a negative meaning that are usually observed in dreams and visions are the following: Brown, orange, black, pink, yellow, green, pale green, gray, very dark colors, and red.

The color green can be a bit confusing for it can, in a positive sense, symbolize prosperity or financial or spiritual blessings or, in a negative sense, symbolize soulish or fleshly intellectual reasoning.

Please check the meanings of the following colors:

Amber (color of fire)

Amber in dreams and visions symbolizes the glory of God in judgment. When God judges with fire, it usually means that it is his final judgment in a situation. Fire is synonymous with hell. An oven is also synonymous with hell and with fire. In a dream, fire or the color of fire, or fire in an oven, or a similar object symbolizes the judgment of God. We see this judgment in real life being carried out through war, sickness and diseases, plagues, natural disasters and so forth. In reality, it is the fire or judgment of God being carried out by God and/or his angels.

People also carry out judgment. This type of judgment can be legal or illegal. It always leads to destruction and it can also be symbolized by fire or the color of fire which is also carried out through war, imprisonment, murder, and death.

The color of amber is in the yellow-orange color range. Therefore jealousy, hate, sorrow, resentment, and irritation are also associated with the color amber.

Amethyst (light purple)

The color amethyst in dreams and visions symbolized the royal priesthood. Light purple is created by mixing purple and white. The purple speaks of royal glory and the white of righteousness. In dreams, it symbolizes a person of royal status. As kings of the eternal King and priests of the eternal Priest, we, the followers of Christ are also part of the royal priesthood of Christ. We, as husbands and also as heads of our families represent God. That is why we are called priests and kings of our God.

Black

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Revelations 6:5-6

5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

Jeremiah 14:1-2

1 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.

2 Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

Lamentations 5:10

Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.

The color black in dreams and visions symbolizes unbelief or depression or fear or evil or separation from God.

Black also symbolizes evil or demonic activities. Sometimes our dreams play out in darkness or in the absence of bright light, almost like in the darker scenes in a movie. This usually indicates that evil plays a part and this fact should be taken into consideration when interpreting the dream or vision. These dreams are not demonic of nature or from satan.

In dreams like these God is actually warning us against evil strategies and demonic attacks and situations in our lives. It is from God and we should act appropriately to defend ourselves against such attacks or situations in our lives.

Black also symbolizes spiritual famine or spiritual death. People symbolized by this are without God and they do not have the enlightening word of God.

See “Snakes” for more information on how we should handle demonic activities and attacks.

Blue

Exodus 39:1

And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the Lord commanded Moses.

Isaiah 11:2-3

2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears…

Exodus 24:10

And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone (darkish blue), and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.

Ezekiel 1:26

And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.

Ezekiel 10:1

Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

The color blue in dreams and visions (the color of a sapphire stone) is a symbol of Heaven and the authority of God. It symbolizes divine authority and the revelation of the Holy Spirit or revelation knowledge.

Brass/bronze

Revelation 1:15

And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Daniel 4:24

This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king…

Deuteronomy 28:22-23

22 The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.

23 And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.

Brass or bronze represents the judgment of God over sin and unrighteousness.

Brown

The color brown relates to the fleshly colors yellow, orphanage and red. The color brown in dreams and visions, therefore, symbolizes selfish ambitions or fleshly desires or striving or sin. It is the same color as mud. A pig likes to roll around in the mud. It really does not care to get dirty. A person with fleshly desires and ambitions is like a pig.

Dark

Luke 1:79

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Dark colors in dreams and visions symbolize evil or demonic activities. It symbolizes unbelief or sin or separation from God when it refers to people. These dreams are not demonic of nature or from satan. In dreams like these God is actually warning us against evil strategies and demonic attacks and situations in our lives. It is from God and we should act appropriately to defend ourselves against such attacks or situations in our lives.

See “Snakes” for more information on how we should handle demonic activities and attacks.

Darkness

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

When you dream of a “dusky” place, a place full of shadows or a “darkish” color it all symbolizes unbelief, separation from God or sin and satanic influences in a person’s life or regarding certain circumstances or situations in his life. These dreams are not demonic of nature or from satan. In dreams like these God is actually warning us against evil strategies and demonic attacks and situations in our lives. It is from God and we should act appropriately to defend ourselves against such attacks or situations in our lives.

See “Snakes” for more information on how we should handle demonic activities and attacks.

Green

Psalm 23:2

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Exodus 10:5

And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field.

Genesis 1:30

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

The color green is a symbol of prosperity, growth, and life. It speaks of safety and peace of mind. Green symbolizes the peace of God. The peace of God is nothing but spiritual (soul and spirit), physical (health) and material (financial) blessings. The color green therefore speaks of a prosperous financial situation and other spiritual blessings. To say “it is well with my soul” can only be true when you have salvation, enjoy financial prosperity and when you are healthy. Real peace (peace of mind): Nothing broken, nothing lacking and nothing missing!

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

In another sense, green symbolizes nature. It speaks of a natural person (unsaved). It also speaks of a fleshly peace of mind (intellect or emotions or will or reasoning or comfort). It also speaks of the false revelations from the soul. false revelations are doctrines created by the soul of man by means of intellectual pondering and processes. It is not from God.

Green (Pale)

Job 15:31-32

31 Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.

32 It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green.

Deuteronomy 12:2

Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree.

Revelation 6:7-8

7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Deuteronomy 8:18

But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

A pale green or a grayish-green in dreams and visions speak of a person trusting in finances rather than in God for provision. A grayish (skin color) person in a dream speaks of God’s judgment on such a person because of him or her trusting in futile things instead of in God.

Gray (Color of hair)

Proverbs 16:31

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Gray hair in dreams and visions symbolizes the dignity, honor and wisdom of spiritually mature people.

Gray (Color of paint)

Gray is a negative color. It is white (victory, holiness, faith, and purity) mixed with black (unbelief, depression, negativity, and fear). Gray, therefore, speaks of a person who is divided between two contradictory views. It speaks of a person or a situation where a person cannot or does not make up his mind.

Gold

Exodus 28:36

And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, Holiness To The Lord.

The color gold in dreams and visions symbolizes holiness and purified faith or steadfast faith. Raw gold only reaches its true precious metal status or characteristics when it is purified. Gold, therefore, symbolizes the character of God.

Indigo

The color indigo lies between blue and purple on the color spectrum. Blue symbolizes revelation and purple symbolizes the love of God and the revelation of the Person and the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Taken this into consideration the color Indigo symbolizes the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Maroon

When red, yellow and blue are mixed, the color maroon is created. Therefore, the color maroon in dreams and visions symbolizes emotions like conflict and jealousy because of the revelations of Jesus Christ.

Orange

The color orange in dreams and visions symbolizes emotions like sorrow, resentment, irritation, and people being indignant.

The color of fire (almost orange – sometimes observed as orange but in fact fire) symbolizes the purification and the zeal of the Holy Spirit. It also symbolizes the power of God. When people are baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire like the apostles were on the day of Pentecost, they become powerful witnesses for God.

Pale

Pale symbolizes death or famine.

Pink

The color pink is close to the color orange and in the same category. It symbolizes emotions like sentimental affections. Sentimental affections are not really a spiritual virtue. Pink is usually or most of the time a negative or fleshly color but it can sometimes, although fleshly, speak of positive emotion. For instance, a person I know once had a dream of pink balloons with white letters displaying his thankful praises toward God. He had this dream after he had been healed of cancer after a long period of time of trusting and relying on God for his healing. This speaks of the person attaching sentimental value and experiencing sentimental emotions after his healing that he, for so long, trusted God for. When he gathered all his friends and family to testify of the goodness of God, and to celebrate God for his healing, he attached sentimental value to the victory, which he promised his family for a very long time will breakthrough for him.

Purple

Exodus 39:1

And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the Lord commanded Moses.

John 19:2

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe…

Luke 16:19

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.

Judges 8:26

And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.

Song of Solomon 3:10

He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.

When red and blue are mixed the color purple is created. Jesus Christ, the revelation (blue) from Heaven or from God the Father, brought reconciliation between man by his blood (red) and therefore the Person and the Spirit of Jesus Christ are symbolized by the color purple. That speaks of the act of love of God the Father. For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son. The color purple speaks of the Person or the Spirit of Jesus. The color purple, therefore, symbolizes God’s love. In most cases, in dreams and visions, the color purple symbolizes the love of God and of Christ in particular.

In another sense, the color purple symbolizes royalty, wealth and prosperity. It speaks of people being financially or spiritually wealthy.

Red

Isaiah 63:2-4

2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

Revelation 6:4

And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

Revelation 9:12

One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

Revelation 12:3

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

Nahum 2:3

The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.

The color red most often symbolizes a person who has an attitude of conflict, anger, vengeance, hate, and fury. There are a few exceptions as prescribed below but as I said, most of the time the color red symbolizes conflict, hate, anger, disunity, fury, hate and vengeance.

Red (Blood)

Romans 6:32

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blood red speaks of the penalty of sin which is death. This color was used inside the tabernacle and it speaks of the blood of Christ who became death for us so that we can live.

Red (Crimson)

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Crimson symbolizes sin, suffering or the sacrifice of sin.

Red (Rosy)

Song of Solomon 5:10

My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.

Rosy red speaks of a love relationship or an expression of love. The word “ruddy” above describes a rosy red complexion. Even the offering of the red heifer, which was a sacrifice of love is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ who was slain for us being a sacrifice of love.

Red (Scarlet)

Exodus 39:1

And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the Lord commanded Moses.

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Scarlet symbolizes sin, suffering or the sacrifice of sin.

Silver

Psalm 12:6

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

The color silver in dreams and visions speaks of redemption or deliverance or purification from sins.

White

Revelations 3:5

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

The color white in dreams and visions symbolizes victory or holiness or righteousness or faith.

Yellow

Revelations 13:2,5

2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

The color yellow in dreams and visions symbolizes hatred or jealousy or blasphemy or rebellion. Christians can also experience jealousy and hate in their lives because of the flesh (fleshly emotions) in our hearts.

Numbers 12:10

And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

Leviticus 13:30

Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scall, even a leprosy upon the head or beard.

Yellow also symbolizes blasphemy or rebellion against God or the Holy Spirit and Christians. The yellow color of a leopard’s spots is closely related to this. Leopards symbolize blasphemy and rebellion against the Holy Spirit and God’s children.

We read in Numbers how Miriam and Aaron rebelled against Moses. Miriam was struck with leprosy and leprosy is associated with the color yellow.

What are the underlying rules and principles when it comes to applying the meanings of colors in dreams and visions?

Many people are confused when it comes to this aspect of dreams and visions interpretation. The reason for the confusion is because the meanings of colors need to be ignored in certain scenarios or circumstances in dreams and visions and not in others. In some cases, we do not apply the meanings of the different colors but we apply the natural characteristics or abilities of the objects.

Nobody can deny that colors play a very important role in dreams and visions. The meanings of countless dreams and visions are influenced by the colors of the different objects in these dreams or visions. So colors are important and I did mention many times before that there is no insignificant detail in dreams and visions. Every symbol (everything that you see or observe in a dream or a vision) is important and always has to be taken into consideration.

These statements that I made above may sound contradictory but as soon as you understand this principle, you will be able to deal with colors successfully.

When do we apply the meaning of colors in dreams and visions and when not?

Take note of the following statement: All objects (symbols) in its natural state symbolize or represent something particular irrespective of its color. For instance, in certain situations, a lion in dreams and visions symbolize Jesus Christ. So when we see a natural lion in a dream (when the lion symbolizes Jesus Christ) the color of the lion should not be regarded. A lion is usually sandy-brown or orange-brown or yellowish-brown. As we all know, these colors do not have positive meanings.

The color brown relates to the fleshly colors yellow, orphanage and red. The color brown in dreams and visions, therefore, symbolizes selfish ambitions or fleshly desires or striving or sin.

The color orange in dreams and visions symbolizes emotions like sorrow, resentment, irritation, and people being indignant.

The color yellow in dreams and visions symbolizes hatred or jealousy. Christians can also experience jealousy and hate in their lives because of the flesh (fleshly emotions) in our hearts.

Yellow also symbolizes blasphemy or rebellion against God or the Holy Spirit and Christians. The yellow color of a leopard’s spots is closely related to this. Leopards symbolize blasphemy and rebellion against the Holy Spirit and God’s children.

So although the color of a lion in dreams has negative meanings, these meanings need to be ignored when the lion, in its natural state in the dream or vision represents Jesus Christ. The reason for this is because of this principle: “Natural objects in its natural state in dreams and visions may represent something with the emphasis on its characteristics and natural abilities irrespective of its color.” It means that the characteristics and the ability of such a symbol need to be taken into the equation and not it’s color.

Another example is the sun. We know that the sun symbolizes God the Father. We know that orange or yellow has negative meanings but when the sun represents God the father, the meanings of these colors need to be ignored. This means that the object itself represents something important irrespective it’s color. It is usually its nature or its power or its abilities that define its meaning in such cases. Not its color. There are numerous examples of such objects or symbols in nature.

However, the meanings of such an object should be applied in some cases. For instance, I once had a dream of the sun positioned at about 15:00 in the afternoon. In the dream, I looked up at the sun. At that stage in the dream, the sun was completely natural (representing God the Father) but then it suddenly changed to a bright sapphire-blue color and it looked a lot like the light of a huge traffic light. When that happened in the dream, that blue light changed the meaning of the sun. Although it still represented God the father, it brought two other aspects into the equation, “light” and the color “blue”

The color “blue” in dreams and visions (the color of a sapphire stone) is a symbol of Heaven and the authority of God. It symbolizes divine authority and revelation knowledge.

“Light” in dreams and visions symbolizes God, Jesus Christ and the believers (the church). God is light, He gave that light to us (it shines in our hearts) and we can, therefore, be a light in this world just like Jesus is. Light is all over this world because of the saints. We possess light. It is our inheritance and one of our spiritual belongings (light is life).

In another sense, light symbolizes the word of God. It shines on our path so that we do not have to walk in darkness.

So in my dream, God emphasized these two aspects about himself in the particular situation that triggered that dream on that particular night.

The same happened to me regarding the symbol of a lion. I once had a dream of a particularly golden lion and I instantly knew that the color “gold” needed to be taken into consideration.

This does not mean that lions in its natural state do not represent something else like demons. I have noticed that when natural lions are darkish in color in dreams and visions they do represent demons.

So it is usually better to ignore the colors of objects in its natural state unless you are convinced that it needs to be taken into consideration.

This principle is easy to understand when we see natural or God-created objects in dreams and visions. This includes animals, insects, plants, water, the sea, mountains and the rest of nature.

However, man-made objects are different. When we see vehicles and clothes and balloons and buildings and bicycles and almost anything that we can imagine, the meanings of colors almost always need to be taken into consideration. I cannot think of a situation when it is not to be taken into consideration.

Assessment: Lesson 11

Test yourself on the following:

  • Explain two of the most important factors that dreams and visions interpreters need to consider when applying meanings to natural objects or symbols in dreams and visions.
  • How does this principle differ from man-made objects or symbols?
  • Name and explain the 3 most important groups of the color spectrum that we find in the rainbow.
  • Explain the different variations of the color green.
  • Explain the different variations of the color orange and the color of fire.
  • Explain the different variations of the color red.

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Lesson 12