Beldy O. Symbolism of color in religious cultures

The dissertation research reflects a comprehensive religious studies analysis of the colored cut of religious symbolism in the light of the phenomenological interpretation of color. Interpretation of color-quality as a color-function in existential phenomenology M. Merlot-Ponti allowed rethinking this phenomenon in the plane of religious culture not attributively but as an irreducible aspect of the world that could attract a person to discover other dimensions on the verge of "visible and invisible." The color experiences, thus, proposes to understand as an important component of the holistic human experience. Using phenomenological intelligence, we sought to clarify the ideological foundations of the symbolism of color in religious cultures and to exploit religious meanings in the culturological symbolism of color. Taking into account the diversity of forms of the existence of color in religion, in the dissertation it is proposed to consider this phenomenon according to three levels of functioning. The outer plan of the expression of color is traced in religious practices and at the figurative level. The internal plan for the functioning of the color symbol is associated with the psychological experiences of color. A peculiar link that combines external manifestations of color in material religious artifacts and the perception and experience of color at the level of religious consciousness is the verbal and textual form of the existence of color symbolism. The relationships that arise between these three functional levels of color in religion are recorded in the oral tradition and written monuments. Further synchronization of the diverse manifestation of the phenomenon of color in religion contributes to the comprehensive study of the symbolism of color in religious cultures.