Varna (Hinduism)

Varna (Sanskrit, f, वर्ण, Varna, literally " color" caste) is the most important term for caste in the Indian caste system. The original meaning of Varna, namely color, has indirectly obtained by each of the four main box is associated with a color. With the Brahmins, the color white is brought in connection with the Kshatriyas red, with the Vaishyas yellow, and the Shudras black.

These colors are in turn associated with certain gunas ( qualities ). White is the color for the property sattva, that is, purity and clarity. The color red stands for the Rajas property, which means passion and strength. The color black means Tamas, ie laziness, darkness and lethargy. The doctrine of the Gunas were formulated in the Samkhya philosophy.

This implies that the Brahmins stand for purity and clarity, the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas of passion and power (even if not directly for Rajas is yellow ), and the Shudras for laziness and lethargy.

It is easy to see that it is not in the linking of colors, castes and Gunas for decorative color cosmetics, but reviews, weights between different social groups and the legitimacy of hierarchy.

So the Varna- term deals with the ideological level of the caste system, Jati ( sub-caste ), however, refers to the group to which the individual human being is born.