A bit about the Moroccan colour Palette.
Moroccans love saturated colours although neutrals are used here and there colour is embraced as source of happiness, good taste, beauty and is visually stimulating. The use of colour is evident from the small villages to the big cities this has been consistent from the ancient times to the here and now. In Morocco colour starts from the front door, often blue (as it is used to ward of the evil eye as a form of protection) or another vibrant colour which makes every entry and exit a memorable experience. Colour doesn’t stop their its on walls, carpets floors and clothes, simply everywhere.
The Moroccan colour palette can be optimistic and lively as well as glamorous and moody depending on the colours used. Generally Moroccans tend to use warm, rich colours such as reds and ochres and are fond of bright and vibrant colours like bright yellows or electric blues, rather than pale, as opposed to cold, pale or pastel colours.
Although there is a large variety of colours that are used throughout Moroccan interiors and fashion, certain colours have traditionally been more in demand such as, blues, oranges, yellows, reds, greens beiges and blacks. In addition to these beautiful, bold colours, metallic colours are also used such as silver and gold. These colours tend to be woven in to fabrics, stamped on leather or used on pottery to add shimmer, glow and depth to colour making it more desirable.
A few colours from the Moroccan colour palette and the meanings...
The red colour range includes, rosy pink, fuchsia, apple red, brick red and violet, these are commonly used in pottery and are often used in the city of Marrakesh this city is known as the red city due the salmon pink painted walls that glow a richer colour before sunset. Within the Moroccan culture the red colour range symbolises female sexuality, marriage, fertility, childbirth and happiness. These colours are connected with henna which is mainly used on brides before the wedding which is thought to contain great blessings.
The yellow and orange colour range include, gold, dark yellow and orange, these are an important element of Moroccan textiles and are often used as trims. These colours symbolise, the sun in Moroccan culture. These colours are associated with gold and spiritual wealth. These colours are often believed to be able to ward off evil.
The blue colour range includes, fresh fez blue, electric Majorelle blue and inky dark and light indigos. These are often used on walls and tiles amongst other things. In Moroccan culture these colours symbolise the sky, heaven and water and are also often thought to protect you from evil eye (is a curse believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when they are unaware. Many cultures believe that receiving the evil eye will cause misfortune or injury). This is why its used on doors and also small pendants worn around the neck. Historically in morocco indigo which a major ingredient in blue dyes was believed to have a cosmetic benefit. Some Moroccan women believe that indigo improves their complexion and conditions the skin.
Natural and Synthetic Dyes.
Before the early 1900's colours used for textiles were mainly created from natural, plant based dyes like bright green from wild mint leaves to vivid pink of a fuchsia plant. Colour palettes varied from flowers grown in each region. But after the World War I, the Europeans introduced synthetic dyes to Morocco, which were affordable allowing the people of Morocco to experiment and create a wide range of colours. Now both natural and synthetic dyes are used throughout morocco, although natural dyes have an advantage over synthetic dyes as they are colourfast. Synthetic colour can sometimes run but has the advantage of being in every colour you could possibly imagine.
Moroccan Pattern & Symbols
Moroccan patterns are mostly found in architecture, tiles and fabrics, and have many different influences, main one being an Islamic influence. Islamic design influences are mainly seen in tiles and fountains. These designs are usually a mixture of floral and geometric patterns, the reason these type of shapes are used, Islam does not encourage the portrayal of human and animal figures. As a result geometric and floral patterns emerged prominently in Morocco. The repeat geometric pattern is a symbol of eternity and is said to prompt meditation.
Other Moroccan patterns can be found on carpets and rugs, these patterns are symbols and each pattern has its on cultural meaning, adding mystery and character. Many debate precise meanings of these symbols, these are a few of the most common;
Bee: family happiness.
Bird: go-between for heaven and earth.
Diamond: a mirror or eye, for protection against evil.
Nested Diamonds: motherhood.
Series of Triangles: the four seasons.
Vertical Chain of Diamonds: birth.
ZigZag: a saw, seen as protection from evil.
Sometimes rugs and carpets look incomplete as some of the symbols on rugs and carpets can be cut off at the ends. This is often referred as "infinite Rapport" where the rug/carpet only shows part of the design but the design continues in the imagination infinitely.
A bit about the Moroccan colour Palette.
Moroccans love saturated colours although neutrals are used here and there colour is embraced as source of happiness, good taste, beauty and is visually stimulating. The use of colour is evident from the small villages to the big cities this has been consistent from the ancient times to the here and now. In Morocco colour starts from the front door, often blue (as it is used to ward of the evil eye as a form of protection) or another vibrant colour which makes every entry and exit a memorable experience. Colour doesn’t stop their its on walls, carpets floors and clothes, simply everywhere.
The Moroccan colour palette can be optimistic and lively as well as glamorous and moody depending on the colours used. Generally Moroccans tend to use warm, rich colours such as reds and ochres and are fond of bright and vibrant colours like bright yellows or electric blues, rather than pale, as opposed to cold, pale or pastel colours.
Although there is a large variety of colours that are used throughout Moroccan interiors and fashion, certain colours have traditionally been more in demand such as, blues, oranges, yellows, reds, greens beiges and blacks. In addition to these beautiful, bold colours, metallic colours are also used such as silver and gold. These colours tend to be woven in to fabrics, stamped on leather or used on pottery to add shimmer, glow and depth to colour making it more desirable.
A few colours from the Moroccan colour palette and the meanings...
The red colour range includes, rosy pink, fuchsia, apple red, brick red and violet, these are commonly used in pottery and are often used in the city of Marrakesh this city is known as the red city due the salmon pink painted walls that glow a richer colour before sunset. Within the Moroccan culture the red colour range symbolises female sexuality, marriage, fertility, childbirth and happiness. These colours are connected with henna which is mainly used on brides before the wedding which is thought to contain great blessings.
The yellow and orange colour range include, gold, dark yellow and orange, these are an important element of Moroccan textiles and are often used as trims. These colours symbolise, the sun in Moroccan culture. These colours are associated with gold and spiritual wealth. These colours are often believed to be able to ward off evil.
The blue colour range includes, fresh fez blue, electric Majorelle blue and inky dark and light indigos. These are often used on walls and tiles amongst other things. In Moroccan culture these colours symbolise the sky, heaven and water and are also often thought to protect you from evil eye (is a curse believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when they are unaware. Many cultures believe that receiving the evil eye will cause misfortune or injury). This is why its used on doors and also small pendants worn around the neck. Historically in morocco indigo which a major ingredient in blue dyes was believed to have a cosmetic benefit. Some Moroccan women believe that indigo improves their complexion and conditions the skin.
Natural and Synthetic Dyes.
Before the early 1900's colours used for textiles were mainly created from natural, plant based dyes like bright green from wild mint leaves to vivid pink of a fuchsia plant. Colour palettes varied from flowers grown in each region. But after the World War I, the Europeans introduced synthetic dyes to Morocco, which were affordable allowing the people of Morocco to experiment and create a wide range of colours. Now both natural and synthetic dyes are used throughout morocco, although natural dyes have an advantage over synthetic dyes as they are colourfast. Synthetic colour can sometimes run but has the advantage of being in every colour you could possibly imagine.
Moroccan Pattern & Symbols
Moroccan patterns are mostly found in architecture, tiles and fabrics, and have many different influences, main one being an Islamic influence. Islamic design influences are mainly seen in tiles and fountains. These designs are usually a mixture of floral and geometric patterns, the reason these type of shapes are used, Islam does not encourage the portrayal of human and animal figures. As a result geometric and floral patterns emerged prominently in Morocco. The repeat geometric pattern is a symbol of eternity and is said to prompt meditation.
Other Moroccan patterns can be found on carpets and rugs, these patterns are symbols and each pattern has its on cultural meaning, adding mystery and character. Many debate precise meanings of these symbols, these are a few of the most common;
Bee: family happiness.
Bird: go-between for heaven and earth.
Diamond: a mirror or eye, for protection against evil.
Nested Diamonds: motherhood.
Series of Triangles: the four seasons.
Vertical Chain of Diamonds: birth.
ZigZag: a saw, seen as protection from evil.
Sometimes rugs and carpets look incomplete as some of the symbols on rugs and carpets can be cut off at the ends. This is often referred as "infinite Rapport" where the rug/carpet only shows part of the design but the design continues in the imagination infinitely.
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