Each year, Avurudu celebrations bring about a vibrant explosion to our wardrobes either as gifts or purchases. Once in my childhood it was a bright yellow that needed to be mixed and managed, or a royal purple that blossomed into traditional wear that felt like an acquired taste. No matter the colour, the Aluth Avurudu period brings together communities through this one aspect that I wanted to draw some special attention just in case you missed it. 

One of the most fascinating aspects of this festival for me is the emphasis on auspicious coloured clothing; Most of us take the directive quite blindly from whichever source we read or listen to and allow it to play a central role in the rituals and traditions of the coming New Year celebrations. But little do we recognize that these colours are not just decorative; they carry deep cultural, historical, and even astrological significance that have faded into obscurity. 

Astrological Roots

The tradition of incorporating auspicious colors into New Year celebrations dates back centuries by all historical accounts. Even in ancient records, the selection of these colours was a meticulous process guided by astrologers in the hopes of uniting communities and families. 

In Vedic astrology, certain colours are considered auspicious and are linked to planetary alignments and zodiac signs. For example, red is associated with Mars and Aries, while yellow is linked to Jupiter and Sagittarius. These colours are believed to bring positive energy and harmony when used appropriately; they were also believed to bring good fortune, prosperity to the home and to the nation with each ritual they were associated with. 

The Role of Auspicious Colours Today

Now thanks to a widely accessible ‘Litha’ (Sinhalese Almanac formulated by the foremost astrological experts) that’s eagerly anticipated towards the end of each year - even online – every mass market or retail clothing brand you know is keen on its information to start designs and purchasing so that they are ready for the upcoming period. 

Most families eagerly await the announcement of the "nekath" (auspicious times) and the corresponding colours to wear as mentioned in the Litha. While staunch belief and practice might be hazy on all the steps involved in the traditions of the new year, most people still rigidly follow the auspicious colours as a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach to ensuring a prosperous year ahead.
To most of rural Sri Lanka, the tradition of auspicious colours remains a cherished aspect of Avurudu celebrations. These colours influence everything from the attire people wear to the decorations in their homes and even the food served during the celebrations.

As Sri Lanka continues to evolve, so too does the celebration of Aluth Avurudu. The significance of these colors goes beyond aesthetics. By embracing the auspicious colours, people feel a sense of connection to their cultural heritage and the cosmic rhythms that govern their lives. The tradition of auspicious colors is likely to remain a cornerstone of the festival, but it may also adapt to modern sensibilities. 

For example, with the growing emphasis on sustainability, there could be a shift towards using eco-friendly materials and natural dyes to incorporate these colours into clothing. Currently Avurudu period ensures a strong uptick in traditional crafts related purchases and a strong move towards traditional clothing such as Handloom, Batiks and locally produced clothing.

The auspicious colours of Sri Lanka's New Year celebrations are more than just a visual delight; they are a vibrant thread that weaves together history, culture, and community. As the festival continues to evolve, these colours will undoubtedly remain a symbol of hope, renewal, and unity, reminding us of the timeless beauty of tradition in a rapidly changing world.

Auspicious Colours and the effects of Fast Fashion

As much as Avurudu brings together a warm fuzzy feeling across the country over traditions and families, it is a celebration that is much anticipated by the commercial industries of the country. Fashion retailers and clothing brands invest heavily into this season offering clothing for every aspect of the celebration as well as gift giving. Most of the items on offer are balloon sleeved or print pocketed which limits use for just this period, but most consumers are none the wiser and happy to purchase new items for use.

Most avurudu purchases end up being one-off items that are never thought of again for the rest of the year until it’s a paduru party, hopper night or another unironic sarong related event. If you are someone who purchased your auspicious coloured clothing with some foresight, the more solid coloured or minimal styled items could easily be split and paired and used for the day to day or even special occasions. Avurudu clothing might be another factor on the negative side of fast fashion, but Sri Lankans rarely throw away clothes to landfills unless it's in tatters, so there is always that silver lining. I highly recommend giving these items a try in your monthly rotation; if not, donate or pass on to a friend who might benefit from it.

Auspicious Colour of the Year

There was a strange intersection this year between the auspicious colour of the year being Copper and most fashion retailers offering us a range of rich reds and bright browns. I wonder if it had anything to do with this year's Pantone Colour of the year being “Mocha Mousse” – a lovely shade of brown on its own, and the sudden uptick of brown as a Gen-Z adult favourite. 

From trousers to crop tops to cable knit polos, Mocha and Copper are colours that are widely available at the moment in Sri Lanka. Maybe this is the one year Avurudu clothing can be a whole year long exercise in slow fashion. Or maybe even reach deeper into those wardrobes, reminisce about Avurudus that have passed by wearing colours that are definitely not the auspicious color of the year, but give you a certain sense of nostalgia for the luck or prosperity they brought at that time.