Dream symbols: The colour orange and what it means

Biblical and spiritual meaning of the colour orange in dreams, what that means in practice, with real dream examples.

What does orange symbolize?

What does the colour orange mean in a dream?

And what does orange mean in the bible?

This article examines the biblical and spiritual meaning of the colour orange, what that could mean in a dream or vision, with real dreams and life application examples.

I approach dream interpretation from a biblical perspective. My belief is that our dreams can come from God, and understanding them is best understood within the context of an ongoing relationship with Him.

Firstly, if you have just come across this post and are new to dream interpretation, it is worth mentioning that dreams are symbolic in nature. You might find it helpful to read the following article: Understand your dreams: A bible-based introduction to dream language. Plus, see my FREE ultimate guide to Interpreting Dreams from God.

Secondly, remember that dreams are personal, so the meanings that I suggest may not apply to your specific dream. But please feel free to use my ideas as a springboard to thinking and praying about dreams yourself. Don’t take my ideas as gospel, but rather let them help you start to think metaphorically.

Meaning of the colour orange

There are many wonderful orange objects naturally occurring in our world. As well as orange fruit, there are pumpkins, carrots, satsumas, fire, and butternut squashes.

As I write, I have some vibrant orange flowers on display in a vase; there are golden orange marigolds in the garden, and the orange-brown autumn leaves are beautiful as they glint in the sunlight.

Orange is a glorious colour! It invokes feelings of summer sunshine, happiness, and zest for life. So, let’s unpack what orange could mean in our dreams!

What does the colour orange mean in a dream?

As a lifelong follower of Jesus and bible teacher, I have reviewed thousands of my own dreams with hindsight to see how God was using them and what happened in real life afterwards.

This article is a result of researching the biblical meaning of the colour orange, plus reviewing my own dreams with hindsight to see why God used orange in those dreams.

What does orange symbolize?

As with any dream symbol, each colour can potentially have both positive and negative meanings. The context, feeling and atmosphere of a dream will give us clues to help us determine whether to interpret it in a positive or negative way. 

The colour orange seems so positive, and full of joy and hope. But it can sometimes appear in a negative context too.

When I trained under John Paul Jackson’s ministry, he taught that orange represents perseverance in a positive context, and stubbornness in a negative context. This meaning has borne out with practice – in the sense that when I interpret my dreams with this meaning in mind, they make sense.

In both aspects there is a sense of something enduring for some time, whether for good or bad!

Orange carries a sense of longevity – whether for good or bad!

Meaning of colour orange in the bible

A search for the colour orange in the bible will bring no results, as the word orange is not specifically mentioned. However, the principles associated with orange, such as perseverance, are mentioned in the bible. So, we will use biblical principles to explore why God might be using this colour in our dreams.

Also, orange is a combination of red and yellow. Red implies knowing what we have God’s power/anointing to do in a situation (i.e. wisdom). Yellow generally means understanding. So, with godly wisdom and understanding we can stand firm and persevere in our calling.

• Hebrews 12:1, ESV…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…
• Proverbs 24:3, NIV By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.

Positive meaning of orange in dreams

Meaning of orange: Perseverance

Most commonly, spiritually, to dream of orange in a positive context represents perseverance.

Perseverance carries a positive sense of not giving up; of patiently waiting; of keeping going despite everything.

PERSEVERANCE: Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. Dictionary.com

We are talking about perseverance in the context of a relationship with God.  So, in real life terms, a positive colour orange in a dream or vision can be an encouragement from God to keep going at a time when we feel like giving up.

Dreaming of orange can also indicate that we need patience in a situation – again, it involves waiting! Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5.

Meaning of orange: Faith

Perseverance is also closely linked with faith, so dreaming of orange can also be a heads up that God is taking us through – or is going to take us through – a time of waiting to grow our faith and build our endurance.

• James 1:3-4, NIV …the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Faith is linked to confidence that we have heard God for our situation.

• Romans 10:17, NKJV So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith and standing firm on a matter can sometimes be misunderstood as stubbornness. The difference is in where our confidence comes from. Positive faith and perseverance come from knowing for sure that we have heard God personally in a matter. When we have that solid foundation, we can stand firm.

• Ephesians 6:13, NIV Therefore put on the full armor of God, so… you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Meaning of orange: Fruitfulness and harvest

With the colour orange, there is also a sense of perseverance eventually leading to seeing the fruit of our efforts.

With God, perseverance always carries the certain promise of hope, for example:

• Hope that we will be transformed and changed for the better through the process. (Romans 5:4, ESVAnd endurance produces character, and character produces hope…)
• Hope that we will receive what we have been promised in the end, if we do not give up. (Hebrews 10:36, ESVFor you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.)
• Hope that we will see the fruit of our efforts in due time. (Galatians 6:9, ESVAnd let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.)

Therefore, when God gives us a positive orange colour, we know that it is going to be worth standing firm, keeping faith, persevering, and/or patiently waiting – because there WILL be positive reward and fruit as a result! This is the promise of orange.

When interpreting dreams and visions relating to the colour orange as perseverance, we must make sure our interpretation carries this heart of hope, as revealed in the bible. We know that God’s love never fails – it endures forever, and his promises can be relied upon.

• Psalm 136:1, NIV Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 

The number nine (9) can also mean fruitfulness and harvest (i.e., results), so could appear in a dream alongside the colour orange to confirm that meaning.

Real dream examples: Positive meaning of orange

Negative meaning of orange in dreams

Meaning of orange: Stubbornness

Sometimes orange appears in a negative context. We can tell this from the context of the dream. It could feel unpleasant, or we might think it is a horrible shade of orange. Or maybe the object has the potential to hurt us, like an orange snake or spider.

The negative spiritual meaning of orange is usually stubbornness.

STUBBORN: Unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving: fixed or set in purpose or opinion. Dictionary.com

Stubbornness still carries the sense of endurance, but in a negative sense. In other words, we are refusing to change, or have carried on down a particular path for longer than we should have.

The difference is that we are standing firm apart from God rather than with God, maybe without realising it.

God is kind. So, if we are resisting Him in some way without realising it, or have missed an opportunity to change, he will give us the heads up in a dream so we can respond.

• Deuteronomy 1:6, ESV The LORD our God said to us… ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Resume your journey and go…’
• Psalm 32:9, ESV Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
• Hebrews 3:7-12, ESV Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”

Meaning of orange: Longstanding issue

Orange in a negative context could also indicate represent a stubborn situation, such as a longstanding stronghold in our life (see how dreams can help with renewing the mind, link below), or an issue that won’t go away.

This might link to something long or tall – like a tall person dressed in orange, a long carrot, or long orange hair.

Again, in this sense, if God highlights it to us in a dream, it means that He intends to set us free from it and is inviting us to cooperate.

Real dream examples: Negative meaning of orange

Other symbolism of the colour orange

Amber light or traffic light: An orange (or amber) light is usually some sort of hazard warning. In traffic light signals it tells us to get ready, or to be on standby for either stopping or starting. A flashing amber light is nearly always a hazard warning – and tells us we need to be careful.

Amber as the presence of God: Amber is similar to orange, but has some meanings in its own right, and it appears in the bible associated with the presence of God. It is the colour that Ezekiel saw around the throne in his visions of God (sometimes translated as white light in other bible translations).

• Ezekiel 1:4, KJV And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

Fire: Fire can sometimes appear orange. The context of the dream will tell you whether fire is the main point, or whether it is the colour orange that is important. Fire can sometimes be linked to testing and faith.

Pumpkins and Halloween: Pumpkins are orange coloured – but are also connected culturally with Halloween and everything associated with that (witchcraft etc.). If orange appears in a dream in the context of Halloween, it will need to be interpreted accordingly.

Objects that are normally orange: If you dream of carrots, oranges, pumpkins, or other naturally orange objects, it’s worth asking yourself the following question: Is orange the main point, or is it is the object there for another reason? Having said that, colour in dreams is very important, and the colour is often the defining point of a dream element.

Conclusion: Meaning of colour orange

We have seen that although the colour orange is not specifically mentioned in the bible, we can apply biblical principles to help us understand the spiritual meaning of orange in dreams and visions.

• In a positive context, dreaming of orange usually represents perseverance, faith, and patience. It implies a time of waiting – but also carries the promise of fruitfulness and reward after we have endured for a time. 

• In a negative context, orange generally symbolises stubbornness – which is being fixed in our ways apart from God. It can also be negative issues that have been in our life for a long time. But here the colour orange comes with the potential for change.

Here are a few closing thoughts:

• The colour orange in a dream could represent any number of things. The above ideas should give you a good starting point. 
• I believe that only God can tell us what the colour orange means in a specific dream, so it’s worth asking Him!
• Consider the atmosphere and context of the dream to see whether the colour is being used in a positive or negative sense.
• In additional to the meanings that I have shared, remember that orange could mean something personal or culturally significant to you, that isn’t mentioned here.

And finally… enjoy interpreting those orange dreams! If this article has helped you interpret a dream, please do like and share this post!