If you’re looking to install stained glass in your home or office, you might be wondering what the colors mean. What do different colors in a stained glass window represent? It’s true that most of the time, color is used for decorative purposes. However, it doesn’t always have to be that way.
Samples of Rainbow Colored Glass
Rainbow Colored Glass Meaning
Rainbow colored glass is a combination of different colors. That’s right, different colors. The stained glass artist wants to make sure the lighting in the room shines through at just the right time and that the light is blocked out in just the right areas so you can see the art work on the other side. It’s a delicate balance of color and light.
The first thing that comes to mind when you think about rainbows are also color spectrums, but those aren’t actually rainbows. Instead, they’re examples of something called interference. Interference is what happens when two waves overlap and either add together or cancel each other out. That’s why colors like purple happen at the edges of rainbows — where red and violet overlap — whereas in the spectrum, red and violet are next to each other on opposite sides of blue.
The colors in rainbow stained glass windows may look random, but they actually have a very specific meaning. In fact, they represent something far more beautiful than any rainbow ever could: God’s love for us! And since each color represents part of that love, there’s an interesting story behind each one:
Red – First Love: Red symbolizes God
A stained glass window is an amazingly rich and intricate work of art. The combination of the colors, the textures, and the intricate designs that are used to create this beautiful piece of art are truly stunning.
Treating stained glass like a canvas, each color has its own purpose. Each color can represent light, dark, or something else entirely. Each color also represents a different message behind the scenes.
The colors you choose for your stained glass project will speak volumes about what you are trying to say or express. The colors you use can represent your feelings or symbolize a specific religion.
Here’s what each color means in stained glass:
Red – Represents the Blood of Christ, passion, and anger. It also represents courage, strength and action.*
Black – Represents death and grief but it can also represent power, mystery and elegance.*
Blue – Represents faith and loyalty as well as knowledge and depth. Blue can also represent wisdom and tranquility.*
Gold – Represents wisdom and royalty while yellow represents joyfulness and hope.*
Green – Represents fertility and growth. Green is also closely associated with luck.*
Purple – Represents royalty as well as devotion. Purple can also represent magic and spirituality.*
Pink – Rep
The colors in stained glass windows have specific meanings and have traditionally been used to represent the qualities of each saint. For instance, blue is the color of faith, so it is often found in windows dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Queen of Heaven. Red signifies martyrdom and is often used to depict Saint Andrew who was crucified on a cross; it is also the color of fire and symbolizes Christ’s passion.
Learn more about stained glass art here
Stained glass is one of the most popular forms of art, and thousands of years old. It is used in both religious and secular settings and often takes a central role in the architecture itself.
Tints
Tints are colors that are created by adding white to the main color. Tints make the colors appear brighter, more delicate and lighter than they actually are.
Adding blue to red makes a tint of red, sometimes referred to as Rose Tinted Glass. Adding blue to yellow makes a tint of yellow often described as green or Jade Glass. The addition of white to any color produces a tint. The amount of white added determines how light or dark the tint will be. The addition of black produces a shade, which decreases the intensity of the original color.”
Stained glass has been used for centuries as a way to add color to churches and other public buildings. Because stained glass is made of glass, it can be easily broken, making it desirable to have a protective covering over the windows. The protective covering can range from a simple screen to an elaborate frame designed to draw attention to the beauty of the stained glass.
Tints and shades in stained glass windows are achieved by using different minerals that are added into the molten glass batch. It is this type of coloring that creates stained glass’s unique vibrancy.
Color names in stained glass are assigned according to how each color is created, rather than what shade of color it actually is. This may seem confusing at first, but once you know how proper names for colors are derived, you will find it easier to understand why some colors have two names: one for its actual hue and another for how it was created.
When shopping for stained glass supplies online or at craft stores, it will be helpful to know how these colors are named so that you can get the exact shades you want. Just remember the saying “the more you know…” and you’ll be able to make your selections with ease!
Each section below will have a picture of the color with its name underneath
The artist of these stained glass pieces are referred to as “stained glass artists.” The term can be used to refer to anyone who works with the medium, but it most often refers to those working with leaded or painted glass.
Truly, there is no limit to what one can create with stained glass. Although stained glass dates back to the ninth century and was primarily used in church buildings, its use has expanded over the years. Today, stained glass works may be found in places such as hotels, restaurants and even private homes.
Expert stained glass artists work with a wide variety of techniques. Artists may create their own designs or use existing drawings and paintings for inspiration. The majority of leaded designs are created using traditional methods, but many contemporary artists also work with a range of more innovative styles.
Stonework and woodwork have been used for centuries to create stained glass artworks. Traditionally, these pieces were made using wooden laths that form a grid pattern. The design is then drawn onto each piece before being cut out and fitted into place on the windowpane. Stonework is also commonly used by modern artists; however, many choose to use rigid foam sheets instead of stone because they are lighter and easier to work with.*
