Have you ever noticed how the Watchtower Organization, also known as JW.org, color code christ in their literature? As a child or at death, JW.org depict Jesus Christ wearing white in their literature. At all other times, Christ is always depicted wearing a white gown but the scarf or robe he is wearing is always of a single, but varied color. You are sure to see it in the colors of Yellow, blue, aquamarine, green, brown or red.

Examples of how JW.org Color Code christ

Jesus as a baby, as a child and at death

Jesus as an Adult

Why JW.org Color Code Christ

In the October 1st 2013 Watchtower, pages 14-15 JW.org published an article entitled “How Does Color Affect You?“. In that article they describe the emotional impact of color and also how it can be used as a memory tool.  With that article, some of the colors used in Jesus robes can be explained.

RED has very high visibility. Red has often been associated with energy, war,and danger. It is an emotionally intense color and can enhance human metabolism, increase respiration rate, and raise blood pressure.
The Watchtower, Oct 1st 2013, p.14

If Red is associated with “energy, war, and danger”, does that mean then that when Jesus is wearing a red robe/scarf that we should consider those he is talking to with hostility?  This might make sense when you consider the fact that the woman he is talking to in the image “Jesus in Red” is a prostitute.  Although Jehovah’s Witnesses like to think that they “imitate Christ”, JW.org through the use of color, move their readers not to imitate Christ in dealing with wrong-doers but instead treat them with hostility.

GREEN prompts a reaction opposite to that of red, for it slows metabolism and produces a calming effect. Green is a restful color and is often associated with tranquillity.
The Watchtower, Oct 1st 2013, p.14

In the images of “Jesus as a Child” and “Jesus in Green”, we see that there is nothing threatening about Jesus.  There he is being treated warmly by his parents in the first image and he is talking consolingly to his disciples in the second image. This is obviously what JW.org wants their readers to feel when seeing these images.

WHITE is often associated with light, safety, and cleanness. It is also connected with the qualities of goodness, innocence, and purity. White is the color most often mentioned in the Bible. In visions, humans and angels are shown dressed in white, emphasizing righteousness and spiritual cleanness.
The Watchtower, Oct 1st 2013, p.14

If White is associated with innocence and purity, is it no wonder then that Jesus is always shown in white robes when as a baby or surrounded by children in JW.org literature? If it’s also associated with cleanness, it’s perfectly understandable to see Jesus in White in all images he is depicted in within Watchtower’s literature. Interestingly too, Jesus is always wearing white in JW.org images of him dead. Rarely, if ever, do you see Jesus shown in Watchtower literature with a purple/scarlet cloak as described in the gospels (Matt 27:28, Mark 15:17 & John 19:2).

In the March 1st 2012 Watchtower, pages 26-29, JW.org published another article entitled “A Look At Colors and Fabrics In Bible Times“. In there they make mention of Blue, purple and crimson and make this observation about those colours:

The Israelites were commanded to put “a blue string above the fringed edge” of their garments as a reminder of their special relationship with their God, Jehovah. (Numbers 15:38-40). The Hebrew words tekhe’leth, a shade of blue, and ‘argaman’, usually translated “purple,” are the colors associated with the high priest’s garments and other decorative items in the tabernacle and temple.
The Watchtower, Mar 1st 2012, p. 28

If blues and purples are associated with high priest’s garments or special relationships with God, it is clear then that these colors are placed on Jesus in JW.org literature when highlighting Jesus special relationsip with God, for example when he rides into town on a donkey being hailed as King of the Jews.

In the images above, you’ll notice too that Jesus is depicted in other colors too: almond/peach, brown and yellow/gold. Is there meaning behind these colors? Indeed there is.

 Brown is found only in a description of sheep – Ge 30:32, 33, 35, 40
Insight Vol 1, p.488

If Brown is found only in the description of sheep in the bible, it’s often that you will see Jesus wearing brown when he is preaching or teaching his followers (sheep) in JW.org literature.

In the tabernacle built by Moses, gold was used in the enclosed compartments—the Holy Place, where the priests entered and performed duties, and the Most Holy, entered only by the high priest. Since the Most Holy with its golden ark of the covenant represented heaven, God’s dwelling place, and since priests, but not ordinary Israelites, could enter the Holy Place, these things would logically represent things having to do with the heavens of God and with his “royal priesthood,” that is, those with the heavenly calling, and their activity and duties toward God.
Insight Vol 1, p.983

It’s most likely that “things having to do with the heavens of God”, Jesus is almost always shown wearing yellow/gold scarf or robe when depicted in a heavenly position.

The Hebrew name Shaqedh’ [for almond] means, literally, “awakening one,” … where the Hebrew word for “almond tree” (shaqedh’) is followed by the expression “keeping awake” (shoqedh’).
Insight, Vol. 1, p. 79

Notice in the image “Jesus in Peach”, Christ is “awakening” a man from his blindness. Coincidence? You decide.

Understanding Color Code Christ

The next time you read an article by JW.org that has a depiction of Jesus in it, you’ll know that there is a reason for the colors used in Jesus’ garments. JW.org have applied a science to their depictions of Jesus: