For the Huichol, who live in Mexico and call themselves Wixarika, life and religion are intertwined. Their deities are honored in their ceremonies, represented in their art and are part of daily life. As Carl Lumholtz, the original ethnographer and explorer who studied the Huichol society, said, “All phases of their lives are prayer – the planting, harvesting, peyote pilgrimages – all art, weaving, bead work, face painting, and yarn paintings embody prayer within symbols.” They ask the deities for rain and sun for the crops, successful deer hunts, healthy children and protection from natural and supernatural dangers. Here we introduce the five colors, red, blue, green, orange and yellow.
Huichol Use of Color
Traditional Huichol art is full of colors and they have meaning. Through the ritual consumption of peyote, colors can be experienced as language and song. Thus stories are revealed. Their art captures these stories and colorful visions. During its creation color is used intentionally as it’s integral to the stories.
Red
Represents the East, the Fire God Tatawari and masculinity.
Blue
Represents the South, the Pacific Ocean, water, rain and femininity.
Green
Represents the Earth, Grandfather, the heavens, healing, growth and heart. This bowl displays a green double headed eagle.
Orange
Orange represents Wirikuta, which is the homeland where life began. It is the sacred area where peyote is found. Peyote allows communication with the Gods.
Yellow
A special root, called Uxa (pronounced Urra) found in Wirikuta, the sacred homeland. It used for yellow face paint done before ceremonies. This is a young pilgrim in Wirikuta, the sacred homeland.
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