Celebrating & Sprouting: Holi and the Arrival of Spring

In the Santa Clara Valley, blue, red, orange and yellow wildflowers create a patchwork of vivid colors across the landscape, marking the arrival of spring. Similarly, these bright colors are used by Hindus around the world to commemorate the start of the new season during “Holi,” or the “Festival of Colors.”

Holi typically lasts two days and celebrates new beginnings, love and the conquest of good over evil. Celebrations begin at night on the first day of Holi when Hindus light bonfires in a ritual called “Holika Dahan.” Here, Holi observers throw grains and legumes onto the bonfire as a sacrifice for a good agricultural harvest and to symbolically burn all evil.

On the second day, “gulal,” or bright colored powders, are thrown with water onto people celebrating Holi. Each powder’s color carries a meaningful message that ties back to the significance of Holi and, at times, incorporates aspects of Hindu mythology. Below you’ll find how these colors appear during Holi and where they can be found in nature at your open space preserves during the spring.
 

Red: A Symbol of Love
In Hinduism, and during Holi, the color red typically symbolizes marriage and love, life, passion and joy. Holi is a celebration of love, and in particular, the love between the goddess Radha and Lord Krishna, a Hindu god. The red powder used during Holi is a symbol of Radha’s eternal love and devotion to Krishna as well as the playfulness in their relationship and dedication to one another.

Red Wildflowers to Look For
Red is also the color of a select few wildflowers that bloom in the Santa Clara Valley! Lucky visitors of Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve may spot Western columbine (aquilegia Formosa) and warrior’s plume (pedicularis densiflora) while exploring nature trails. Use the iNaturalist tool on our website to see where and when these red wildflowers were most recently spotted throughout the Santa Clara Valley.
 

Blue: A Symbol of Vastness
The blue powder used to celebrate Holi represents the Hindu god Krishna. Krishna is often depicted with blue skin which symbolizes his aura or energy and signifies inclusivity and infinity. In the natural world, the color blue is associated with vast objects or concepts. The sky and ocean, for example, are difficult to perceive and measure by most humans and carry a greatness that is difficult to quantify. Krishna’s blue aura represents his ever-presence in the lives of Hindus and his existence beyond the physical world.

Locating Blue in Nature
If you’re looking to discover a bit of natural blue in the physical world, you don’t have to go too far! “Blue” wildflowers, which sometimes give off a purple hue, include Menzies’ baby blue eyes which can be found at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve and Arroyo Lupine which may be spotted at Sierra Vista, Rancho Cañada del Oro and Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserves. Explore our wildflower guide to learn more about native wildflowers in Santa Clara Valley.

Green: A Symbol of New Beginnings
During Holi, green powder symbolizes new beginnings, happiness and the start of spring. Similarly, in Santa Clara Valley, green represents new growth, a fresh season and thriving vegetation and agriculture. While wildflowers aren’t typically green, their distinguished green leaves and stems provide a strong base for the buds and blooms that dot your open spaces with bright colors.

A Popular Green Stem 
A native wildflower with one of the most distinct stems and leaves is the California poppy! It’s no wonder that the California poppy is the state flower as you can find it practically anywhere during the spring.  With long, silvery green stems and delicate finger-like leaves, the California poppy is easy to spot and can be found at Rancho Cañada del Oro, Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge, Coyote Valley and Sierra Vista Open Space Preserves. Pick up a packet of California poppy seeds to plant in your garden when you attend one of our free, family-friendly Coyote Valley Discovery Days events in March, April or May!
 

Yellow: A Symbol of Prosperity, Intelligence & Culture
Yellow powder used in Holi celebrations is thought to represent prosperity or good fortune. It’s also possible that the yellow powder is a nod to the Hindu god Krishna who is often depicted wearing yellow robes, signifying intelligence and enlightenment. Yellow is also the color of turmeric and saffron; two prominent spices used for both cooking and medicine in Indian culture.

Yellow Blooms in Your Open Spaces
In your open spaces, yellow is a common color for wildflowers. Goldfields (Lasthenia californica) display a color similar to that of turmeric at their centers surrounded by slightly paler yellow petals. Those looking for Goldfields may be able to spot them at Rancho Cañada del Oro and Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserves. Although it’s not a wildflower, the blooms of a saffron plant contain yellow (and red) threads that add a vibrant yellow hue when processed. Learn how a local farmer is adapting saffron to grow in the Santa Clara Valley here.

Celebrate Holi and the arrival of spring with a visit to your open space preserves to enjoy the sights and sounds of the new season.

Click here to register for a guided wildflower hike or plan your own visit.