International Color Guide - Iran

In Iran, Color and Its Associations Are Taken very Seriously, as They Are Firmly Tied Into Religious Traditions.

Green, red and white are three special colors in Islam, and they have come to be found on the country's flag. White is believed to be the main color worn by the Prophet Mohammed; red represents the red of sunset; and green, the most sacred, is the color of the Prophet's turban.

The central device of the Iranian flag is a sword and four crescents. The crescents stand for the word "Allah," as they resemble the Arab writing of the word. The five parts of the flag symbolize the five principles of Islam.

Color must be used with care in Iran, as it stirs strong emotional and political feelings among the country's citizens. Iran's flag and religion are tied together by color and history: The emotion behind each is unmistakable.

Color also has a strong traditional presence in Iran: For example, in Parsi religious ceremonies, a tray of seven multi-color herbs are used to guard people against evil. Black poppy seeds break spells and ward off witchcraft; brown wild rice, grayish-green angelica, white salt and green leaves remove the evil eye; and milky-white frankincense to burn evil spirits.

The connection with the natural and spiritual worlds are unmistakable.

	White is a sacred color, believed to be the main color worn by the Prophet Mohammed. White is also symbolic of peace.
	Black is a mourning color in Iran. The wearing of black clothing during mourning is strictly dictated.
	Red and reddish-yellow are favorable colors, signalling good fortune. Red is also symbolic of courage.
	Yellow is an inauspicious color; it can signal disgrace. Some believe a yellow-tinged rainbow is a foreboding of illness.
	As it is believed by some to protect from the "evil eye," blue is a favorable color.
	The most sacred color of Islam, green signals joy. It was the color of the Prophet Mohammed.
	Traditionally, purple is a color of what is to come. A sun or moon that looks purple during an eclipse is an omen of bloodshed within the year
	The combination of these two colors represents the religious and cultural identity of the people of Iran.
	This mix of colors stirs nationalistic feelings in Iran.