Sadd colors facts for kids

Sadd colors were special colors chosen for clothes by people living in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1600s. The word "sadd" didn't mean "unhappy" back then. Instead, it meant "serious" or "modest." These colors were important to the Puritan settlers who lived there.

What Were Sadd Colors?

Sadd colors were a group of quiet, calm colors. They were picked for everyday clothing. The Puritans wanted their clothes to show that they were serious and not flashy. They believed that bright or bold colors were not modest enough.

Why Did Puritans Choose These Colors?

Many people think Puritans only wore black and white. But this isn't quite right! For them, the color black was actually very special. It was seen as too bold for regular wear. Black clothes were usually saved for important leaders or for very formal events. An example would be when someone had their picture painted.

Black dye was also hard to get back then. Plus, black clothing would often fade quickly to other colors. Because of this, the Puritans decided on a set of "sadd" colors for their daily lives. These colors were purposely soft and not attention-grabbing.

What Colors Were Considered "Sadd"?

The Puritans used many interesting names for their sadd colors. These included colors like:

• Liver color: A dark reddish-brown.
• De Boys: This means "of the wood" in French. It was a color like natural wood.
• Tawney: A yellowish-brown, like a lion's mane.
• Russet: A reddish-brown, often seen in autumn leaves.
• Rust: A color similar to the orange-brown of rusted metal.
• Purple: A subdued, darker shade of purple.
• French green: A very light, grayish-green.
• Ginger lyne: A yellowish-brown, like ginger.
• Deer color: A light brown, like a deer's fur.
• Orange: A muted, less vibrant orange.
• Gridolin: This came from French words meaning "flax blossom." It was a color like periwinkle.
• Puce: A dark reddish-brown or purplish-brown.
• Folding color: The exact shade is not clear, but it was likely a muted tone.
• Kendall green: A dark type of French green.
• Lincoln green: A brighter green, like forest green, but still considered appropriate.
• Barry, milly, and tuly: These were also specific, subdued shades.
• Philly mort: From French words meaning "dead leaf." It was a dark gray-brown color.

These colors helped the Puritans show their values of seriousness and modesty through their clothing choices.