Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Strange it is, the way we make associations. For example, orange and black are colors we often associate with Halloween. I suppose it’s reasonable since orange shows up in pumpkins and fall leaves around that time of year, but I’m not sure where to look for the inclusion of black in that palate. But there has to be more to the symbolism than just color connectedness. I can’t think of anyone who associates the orange and black orioles of the northern parts of North America with October 31, probably because these colorful birds have long before that headed southward to warmer climes so they aren’t around to watch the trick-or-treaters making their yearly rounds.
The male Orange Minivet sports similar colors in the tropical and subtropical forests of the Indian subcontinent, but somehow their demeanor doesn’t seem to align with the sinister either. Maybe their bouncing flight through the canopy of the forest just doesn’t seem to match up well with dismal thoughts of the underworld. Whatever the reason, even using its alternate name, the Flame Minivet, doesn’t seem to relegate it to ominous reminders of fire and brimstone. Its beauty and sociable behavior just paint too happy a picture to be demoted to the macabre.
Perhaps the biggest factor we bring to any association is our own outlook on life. At least that seems to be what Paul is inferring in Titus 1:15: “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.” (NIV) So, feel free to enjoy the almost endless palate of colors God has employed to paint our world.