BLACK ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS Black, the color of death and mourning, represents both the brevity of life and our sinful nature. It is the liturgical colour used for rememberances of those who have gone before us and reminds us that we live in a fallen world and need Christ to bring light to our lives. Black, when paired with any other colour, tempers our joy, our hope, and our fire because we know that, without God, we cannot attain his gifts.

RED ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS Red is the colour used to represent both fire and blood. It symbolizes Christ's Passion and the shedding of his life's blood to atone for the sins of mankind. Red also represents the fire and burning of the Holy Spirit. In the church it is used on the feast days of the Holy Spirit and on days commemorating the Christian martyrs. Red is also used for confirmations and ordinations where the Holy Spirit is moving and present.

ROSE or PINK ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS Rose or pink is used to symbolize rejoicing. It is the color used for the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent when these traditional seasons of repentence and introspection are lightened with the anticipated arrival of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. During Advent we remember Mary's joy at Jesus's expected birth and, today, our joy as we await his coming again. During Lent we reflect on Christ's sacrifice, but also rest in faith in his resurrection and triumph over death.

ORANGE ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS Although neither orange nor yellow are liturgical colours that are used in the church, they both symbolize God's goodness and bounty. Orange or amber, the rich colours of fall foliage, represent thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and are the primary colours associated with the feast of Harvest Home.

YELLOW ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS Yellow, the color of the sun and of ripened grain, represents God's unconditional love to mankind through the yearly cycle of sowing and reaping.

GREEN ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS Green, the color of new growth, represents life. It is the most commonly used liturgical color and is used during 'ordinary' time or the season following Pentecost. Green symbolizes our personal growth as we daily study the scripture, expand our knowledge and grow in faith. Green represents the discipline we must exercise to overcome our worldly sins of sloth, laziness, and procrastination to continue our pursuit of spiritual growth.

TURQUOISE ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS Turquoise, a variation of blue, is the symbolic color of sea and sky. Again, it represents the eternal changelessness of God and the manifestation of God in nature. Both blue and turquoise are a reminder of God's goodness in blessing us with the gift of his son, and our hope in him, in spite of our undeservedness.

BLUE ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS Blue is used to symbolize hope and the eternal changelessness of God. It is also used to represent the Virgin Mary and is the traditional liturgical color used for the Marian feasts during the year. Blue was used as the 'ordinary' color, instead of green, in the early English church and is experiencing a comeback in sacramental churches, particularly those with roots in Anglicanism, as the preferred color for the season of Advent. Many refer to the season of Advent as Mary's season since the gospel readings revolve around the events leading up to the birth of Christ which is not actually celebrated until Christmas.

PURPLE ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS Purple was a very expensive dye and, as a result, became associated with royality and the symbolic color for wealth and power. In the church it is used during the seasons of Advent and Lent as we wait for the coming of the King. It has become associated with penitence and inward reflection.

WHITE or IVORY ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS White, the color of light, represents innocence and purity. It is the liturgical color used for the joyous feasts of the Church such as the seasons of Christmas and Easter. White is also the color used for weddings, baptisms, funerals, and most saint's days. If the saint is a martyr, however, red, the color for blood, is used. White reminds us that our innocence and purity is always tainted with our baser nature which only God can help us overcome.