54 PICTOGRAPHS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 



tbe modern popular fancies on this subject, some illustrations from 

 antiquity may be useful for comparison. 



The Babylonians represented the sun and its sphere of motion by 

 gold, tbe moon by silver. Saturn by black, Jupiter by orange, Mars by 

 red. Venus by pale yellow, and Mercury by deep blue. Red was an- 

 ciently and generally connected with divinity and power both priestly 

 aud royal. The tabernacle of the Israelites was covered with skins 

 dyed red and the gods and images of Egypl and < 'ha Idea were noticeably 

 of that color, which to this day is the one distinguishing the Roman 

 Pontiff aud the cardinals. 



In ancient art each color had a mystic sense or symbolism, and its 

 proper use was an important consideration and carefully studied. ^\*i tli 

 regard to early Christian art, the following extract is given from Mrs. 

 Clement's Handbook of Legendary and Mythologic Art, Boston, 18S3. 

 The associations with the several colors therein mentioned differ widely 

 from those in modern folk-lore — for instance, those with green and yel- 

 low, from the same colors stigmatized in the song produced by Mr. Black 

 in his Three Feathers, exhibiting the belief in Cornwall that "green's 

 forsaken and yellow's forsworn." 



White is worn by the Saviour after his resurrection, by the Virgin in representations 

 of the Assumption; i>\ women as the emblem of chastity; by rich men to indicate 

 humility, and by the judge as the symbol of integrity. It is represented sometimes 

 by silver or the diamond, aud its sentiment is purity, virginity, innocence, faith, joy. 

 and light. 



Red, the color of the ruby, speaks of royalty, fire, divine love, the holy spirit, ere 

 ative power, and heat. In an opposite sense it symbolized blood, war, and hatred. 

 Red and black combined were the colors of Satan, purgatory, and evil spirits. Red 

 and white roses are emblems of love and innocence, or love and wisdom, as in the 

 garland of St. Cecilia. 



Blue, that of the sapphire, signified heaven, heavenly love and truth, constancy 

 and fidelity. Christ and the Virgin Mary wear the blue mantle, St. John a blue tunic. 



Green, the emerald, the color of spring, expressed hope and victory. 



Yellow or gold was t he emblem of the sun. the goodness of God, marriage and fruit- 

 fulness. St. Joseph and Sr. Peter wear yellow. Yellow has also a bad signification 

 when it has a dirty, dingy hue, such as the usual dress of .Judas, and then signifies 

 jealousy, inconc 4 uev, and deceit. 



Violet or amethyst signified passion and suffering, or love and truth. Penitents, as 

 the Magdalene, wear it. The Madonna wears it after the crucifixion, and Christ after 

 the resurrection. 



Gray is the color of penance, mourning, humility, or accused innocence. 



Black with white signified humility, mourning, and puritj of life. Alone, it spoke 

 of darkness, wickedness, and death, and belonged to Satan. In pictures of the Temp- 

 tation Jesus sometimes wears black. 



It is probable that, at one time, the several colors, at least in the same 

 Indian tribe, had each special significance. This general significance 

 was, however, modified by specific positions of the colors. 



Colors are generally applied at this day according to fancy and with- 

 out regard to special signification. The warriors make a distinction 

 when on the warpath, and when mouruing a deceased relative or en- 



